Backyard barbecue once again triumphed over the pros as Kris McCullough captured his second consecutive Brentwood Barbecue King title on Super Bowl Sunday, besting 17 cooks from all over the Bay Area.

Oakley resident McCullough out-cooked Randy Jones and Dan Poe of Brentwood, whose RJC BBQ team finished as runners-up in the 10th annual cook-off held at Harvest Park Bowl. Third place overall went to Pacifica’s Bill and Yvonne Souza of Big B’s Down and Dirty BBQ.

“I’m just a backyard griller,” McCullough said after accepting his plaque, trophy and $100 in cash – which he promptly donated to the Brentwood Police Activities League (PAL). In addition to the overall title, McCullough took second place in the Tri-tip category and third place for his chicken, but got shut out in the running for the ribs.

“I’m OK with not winning the ribs (category) now,” he said, grinning.

Proceeds from the event benefited PAL and the East Contra Costa Historical Society. In addition to the as-yet-to-be-determined sum from the event itself, PAL benefited hugely from the event: Harvest Park Bowl proprietors Jim and Ann Wangeman donated $5,000 to the organization, which helps keep kids busy after school. Also, the Brentwood Bike Company donated $500, and a raffle put together by Mark Acasio – better known as Gorilla Rilla, a mainstay at each year’s event – raised more than $400 extra.

“Who would have known that Brentwood would become the barbecue capital of the Bay Area?” asked an appreciative PAL President Jeff Altman. “There are some really good cooks here, which just goes to show how great this event is.”

Contestants Chuck and Cindy Collendrez of Bowling Over Pigs, perennial contenders at the event, continued their winning ways, scoring a first-place finish in the Dessert competition with a treat featuring crème brulée and fresh fruit in a chocolate cup. This year’s chili competition was won by Tom Sharp’s Big Pit BBQ.

Brentwood resident Deena Roush never got to taste the chili, but that’s OK with her. She had more than her fill of smoky, sweet, hot and plentiful meat as she wandered among the kettles, grills and custom rigs in the bowling center’s parking lot.

“I love this event,” said Deena, who brought her husband Rick and a carload of neighborhood kids. “We know a few of the people here and we’re meeting more. Everyone is so positive and friendly. Maybe it’s because everyone has full bellies and is supporting kids.”

Organizers also announced that Brentwood’s second barbecue competition has been set for Memorial Day weekend. That event will be sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society and is likely to draw cooks nationwide. The three-day event will be held at The Streets of Brentwood and feature a special reprise of last weekend’s competition.

The top finishers in the 2011 Barbecue King Cook-off competition were:



CHICKEN

First Place: BRU BBQ Response Unit – Paul Lisskey

Second Place: Big B’s Down and Dirty – Bill and Yvonne Souza

Third Place: Kris’s BBQ – Kris McCullough

Fourth Place: RJC BBQ – Randy Jones and Dan Poe

Fifth Place: Souza’s Slammin Slaughter – Mike Souza

Sixth Place: 51-50 BBQ – Patrick Ray



RIBS

First Place: 51-50 BBQ – Patrick Ray

Second Place: Big Shot BBQ – Jack Simmons

Third Place: Good Old Boys – Dan Pacheco and Brett Swisher

Fourth Place: Big Bucks BBQ – Joe Podwinsky

Fifth Place: RJC BBQ – Randy Jones and Dan Poe

Sixth Place: Souza’s Slammin Slaughter – Mike Souza



TRI-TIP

First Place: Fatty Atty’s BBQ – Chris and Jennifer Missakian

Second Place: Kris’s BBQ – Kris McCullough

Third Place: Big Pit BBQ – Tom Sharp

Fourth Place: Grill Iron Gang – Robert (Chewbacca) Sisney

Fifth Place: Ferrell Family BBQ – Greg Ferrell

Sixth Place: Big B’s Down and Dirty BBQ – Bill and Yvonne Souza



CHILI

First Place: Big Pit BBQ – Tom Sharp

Second Place: Big Shot BBQ – Jack Simmons



OVERALL

First Place: Kris’s BBQ – Kris McCullough

Second Place: RJC BBQ – Randy Jones and Dan Poe

Third Place: Big B’s Down and Dirty BBQ – Bill and Yvonne Souza

Fourth Place: 51-50 BBQ – Patrick Ray

Fifth Place: Big Shot BBQ – Jack Simmons

Sixth Place: Big Pit BBQ – Tom Sharp