Cooking
up some saucy support at autism fundraiser
by
Chris Moore
LAKE
PLEASANT – You think you can make some fine barbeque? It’s
time to put your sauce where your mouth is. What’s more,
you can help out children with autism and their families
through supporting national organizations like Autism Speaks
and local ones like Arizona Autism Support.
That’s
what Ryan Gielow, whose daughter who was diagnosed with
autism four years ago, decided to do when he came up with
the idea for the Lake Pleasant BBQ Cook‑Off. The event
will be held Nov. 4.
As
awareness chairman of Autism Speaks’ Annual Walk for Autism
Research, Gielow had the
idea that another event should be created to take place
between walks to raise more funds.
“My
business partner and I sell giant barbeque grills,” Gielow
said. “One thing led to another, and the core committee
for this project came together fairly easily. They’re a
great team and we wouldn’t be where we are today without
their hard work.”
Autism
Speaks has raised $20‑30 million nationwide over
the past decade in hopes of finding the cause and a cure,he
said. “It’s a great organization.”
Arizona
Autism Support, for which Gielow is a member of the board
of directors, concentrates on assisting local families who
have been affected.
“It’s
families helping families,” he said. “Those who have been
dealing with a diagnosis for a while can help those who
are just encountering one.”
Gielow
hopes the event will generate the majority of its funds
through selling raffle tickets for a variety of prizes donated
by organizations and individuals.
Among
the items to be raffled off are a $5,500 pull‑behind
smoker trailer donated by Gielow’s grill company; two works
of fine art; tickets to various sporting events and movies;
and certificates to restaurants, hotels and automotive shops.
With
regard to the barbeque, there will be plenty to go around.
Barbequers of all sorts will be participating–from some
of the Valley’s top restaurant cooks to the “average joe
backyard guy,” Gielow said. “We’ve got everybody.”
There
are four main categories: beef brisket, pork spare ribs,
half‑chicken and people’s choice. The first three
are judged by the sanctioning body of the event, the International
Barbeque Cookers
Association, which also awards the Grand Champion
prize and the Reserve Grand Champion (2nd place). The people’s
choice winner is decided
by tallying the ballots of all tasters who want to participate
by voting for their favorites.
The
Grand Champion wins a trophy, $500 and a trip for two to
Hawaii, with 2nd place getting a trophy and $400. Ten honors
are awarded in each meat category on a descending prize
scale from $100 to $25. The people’s choice winner will
receive $200 and a trophy.
The
main sponsor for the event is DeWalt, which will bring its
giant tool extravaganza “Rolling Thunder” to the event.
The company will also be giving away prizes. The Desert
Advocate is a major sponsor of the event, as are AZBarbeque.com
and 3G Construction Co.
The
1st Annual Lake Pleasant BBQ Cook‑Off for Autism Speaks
takes place Saturday, Nov. 4 at Lake Pleasant starting 9
a.m. Public parking opens at 8 a.m. Hourly giveaways begin
at 9 a.m. The last BBQ judging is at 4 p.m. For information,
call (602) 550‑1932 or visit www.LakePleasantBBQCookoff.com.
Raffles
will be held in two prize categories, one with prizes worth
up to $499 (tickets $5 or 5 for $20) and one with prizes
worth $500 or more (tickets $25 or 5 for $100). Tickets
are on sale online at www.LakePleasantBBQCookoff.com
and will also be available at the event Nov. 4 at Lake Pleasant.
Reach
the reporter at cmoore@thedesertadvocate.com.
