Grill thrills await

Photo: Nicholas Johansen

Tree Brewing was taken over by chefs Thursday afternoon to hype the upcoming Ktown Showdown barbecue competition.

The competition takes place Aug. 22 and pits 10 local chefs against each other for barbecue bragging rights. All chefs will have to use the same cut of meat, which was revealed Thursday as pulled-pork. Now, they can get to work on their recipes.

Last year’s champion, Justin Best, represents the new BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery, after winning with Hotel Eldorado last year. He demo'd his own take on a Chinese barbecue pork pastry on Thursday, but said he would be switching it up for the actual competition.

Best said the chef community in Kelowna is close, and, after working all over Canada, he has no plans to leave.

Chef Beth Ross represented the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort. She's lived in Kelowna for nine months and thinks events like the Ktown Showdown are great to bring local chefs together.

“We’ll chit-chat with the other chefs and build connections that way – and build friendships and talk about the business,” Ross said. “It’s good to kind of know who’s out there, because there’s always new restaurants opening up.”

The competition takes place at the Kelowna Curling Club. Each chef’s dish will be paired with a craft beer from B.C. There will also be a car show and live music.