Six local chefs and barbecue pitmasters from regional barbecue joints are competing for diners’ admiration:
- Bob Watts from One Night Stand Barbecue
- Tom Edlin from Toby’s BBQ
- Andy Kitt from Smoke’n Teepee Bar-B-Q
- Dusty Tellessen from Nordic Smoke BBQ
- Dustin Smith from Red Tail Bar & Grill
- Chris Sylvia from Farmhouse Kitchen and Silo Bar
Each competitor has also chosen a local charity to support, “who they are, in a sense, fighting for, and so they’re usually passionate about what they’re doing,” says Deb Shaw, the Coeur d’Alene Casino’s marketing coordinator.
The range of charities are diverse: Spokane Humane Society, the Wishing Star Foundation, Greater Spokane Food Truck Association (GSFTA) Gives Back, Coeur d’Alene Tribe Youth Sports, Every Woman Can, Second Harvest Food Bank and Emerge Coeur d’Alene.
As for the experience of the event, guests can try all the ribs, all the sides and go back to each chef as many times as they’d like, then vote for their favorite chef.
Maybe you’re into the chef that best utilizes sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw, corn on the cob and/or rolls, or maybe you like the chef that keeps it simple and makes the best ribs. At the end of the night, votes are counted, and a people’s choice winner is announced as well as the judge’s choice winner. Guest judges include Inlander general manager Jer McGregor, Food Services of America’s Brent Tufte and a local guest chef judge.
Adult tickets include two drinks, including beer from Wallace Brewing. Attendees of all ages can enjoy music provided by the Powers Band, an indie folk and country group based out of Coeur d’Alene — perfect music for a barbecue cook-off.
This year’s Rib Fest also includes the Live Celebrity BBQ Duel Cook-Off, featuring two local figures. And finally, a few lucky people will go home with raffle prizes, including a Spiceology gift basket.
All rib lovers are welcome to enjoy a nice August night at the casino, eat some ribs and donate to charity. Tickets for kids ages 12 and under are $10; ages 13-18 are $20 and adults 21+ are $25. Purchase tickets in advance at cdacasino.com, the casino box office or any TicketsWest outlet.
