By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
This is one group of local residents who came out on Sunday, Sept. 5 to take on the “tough job” of judging all the tasty barbecue entries at Elmhurst Walk-in Assistance Network (EWAN)’s ‘Cue for a Cause 2021. They include (from left): Mayor Scott Levin, Amador Ontiveros, Clark Maxwell, Jennifer Bonuso, Mark Ostermann, and John Iwaszkiewicz. Story and more photos inside.
It was bright and sunny with just the right cool breeze on Sunday, Sept. 5. It could not have been a more beautiful day for this year’s ‘Cue for a Cause, the annual barbecue competition held by the Elmhurst Walk-in Assistance Network (EWAN). This year’s event included not only a contest for best ribs, chicken and sauce but also a baking competition for cookies and pies.
Besides the competitors causing aromatic smoke to fill the area of the municipal lot at York and Vallette behind the Knights of Columbus, there were kids’ games and activities, live musical entertainment and “Barbecue Jim” Lawshe serving up barbecue sandwiches and more. The root beer float stand was open for business and, inside the Knights of Columbus, judges “worked hard” to select the winners by tasting all the ribs, chicken and sauces. Among the judges were Mayor Scott Levin, former Mayor Steve Morley and 7th Ward Alderman Mike Brennan.
‘Cue for a Cause winners:
First-ever Baking Contest:
Best Cookies: Susan Wilson
Best Pie: Alexandra Cuzzone
Best Sauce:
1. Tuxedo Park Tsars, led by Frank Pedote
2. Woodfellas, led by Aaron Epstein
3. Up on the Rooftop, led by Bill Steber
People’s Choice Sauce
1. Big Daddy Q, Mike Juneman
2. Up on the Rooftop, Bill Steber
3. Maura Kinsella, BBQ Queen
Best Chicken:
1. Smokin’ Tailgators, Steve DeBoer
2. The TW Chicago Smokers, Thomas Wold
3. Up on the Rooftop, Bill Stever
Best Ribs:
1. Fallin’ off the Bone, Dan Gibbons
2. TW Chicago Smokers, Thomas Wold
3. Big Ten BBQ, Joey Calcagno
Grand Champion
Steve DeBoer with the Smokin’ Tailgators
Runner-up
Up on the Rooftop’s Bill Stever. There was only a .14 difference between the Champ and runner-up!
