From staff reports
Three Del Rio schools’ culinary teams combined for numerous Top 10 finishes at the Central Catholic in San Antonio’s regional barbecue competition, placing across a variety of cooking categories.
Teams from San Felipe Memorial Middle School, Del Rio Middle School and Del Rio High School competed in categories including grilled cheese, ribeye, Dutch oven cake, chicken lollipops and ribs.
Chef Adan Cortez, Del Rio culinary arts instructor, said the teams performed well throughout the event and the program continues to grow.
“I’m pleased to announce that our newest team from San Felipe Memorial Middle School, the Smokin’ Broz, have advanced to state,” Cortez said. “The Smokin’ Broz placed sixth in grilled cheese and eighth in Dutch oven cake to secure their state bid. All of our Del Rio teams did great today. Now we head home to rest and recoup before we get into fundraising for our state bids.”
A San Felipe Memorial Middle School team, the Smokin Broz, nabbed a coveted ticket to light their grill at the state finals in their first year of competition, held in Burnet May 1 and 2.
In the grilled cheese category, the DRMS Blue Crew finished eighth, while the DRHS Rib Ticklers placed seventh and the DRHS Smokin’ Queens finished fifth. The San Felipe Memorial Middle School Smokin’ Broz placed sixth.
The DRMS Blue Crew also placed eighth in the ribeye category.
In Dutch oven cake, the DRHS Sparkle & Smoke team placed fourth, followed by the DRMS Blue Crew in fifth and the DRHS Rib Ticklers in seventh. The Smokin’ Broz placed eighth.
The DRMS Blue Crew also finished eighth in chicken lollipops, while the DRHS Smokin’ Queens placed seventh.
In the ribs category, the DRHS Smokin’ Queens finished seventh and the DRMS Blue Crew placed sixth.
Overall, the DRMS Blue Crew finished sixth in the competition, while the DRHS Smokin’ Queens placed ninth overall.
Cortez thanked parents and community supporters for backing the program and encouraged residents to come out and support the students as they prepare for state competition.
“Thanks to all the parents and supporters that always come out to support our growing BBQ Club,” Cortez said. “Get ready Del Rio — we’re waiting for y’all to come out and eat our homework as we prepare for state.”
