Announcements

First Annual BBQ Contest
SIMPSON BAY – ST. MAARTEN -- Bonita’s Cantina wants to find the Best BBQ’er on the island of St. Maarten

Bonita’s, in association with the US Meat Export Federation, will hold the First Annual Bonita’s Cantina St. Maarten BBQ Contest. The event, which will be open to the general public, will be held on Sunday 25 July in the parking lot of Bonita’s Cantina, located next to the bridge in Simpson Bay. Proceeds will benefit the St. Maarten Medical Center Dialysis Unit.

“We are excited to team up with the US Meat Export Federation on this project,” said Bryan Tyrell, Managing Director of Bonita’s Cantina. “I know lots of people brag about how great of a BBQ’er they are, this will be their chance to find out who truly is the best on the island.

“We have also had a great response from local businesses who have donated some outstanding prizes,” said Tyrell. “Travel Planners, Westin Dawn Beach and Princess Casino in particular have been very instrumental in helping to put together great prizes as well as the US Meat Exporters and Merchants Market.”

The entry fee for the contest will be $100 per team and will consist of four categories, Hormel Pork St. Louis Ribs, Chicken, Certified Angus Beef Shoulder Clod and a miscellaneous category. Merchants Market of St. Maarten will provide all of the meats for the three listed categories and each contestant will provide the product for the miscellaneous category. Entrants will be given scores by independent judges on each category. The team with the highest combined scores of the four categories will be crowned the “Best BBQ’ers on the Island.” In addition to the title, the team will be qualified for the Caribbean BBQ Championships, which will be held in Puerto Rico July of 2011. The US Meat Export Federation will provide the entry fee and Travel Planners will arrange the airfare and hotel accommodations. An individual trophy for the highest score in pork and beef will be provided by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

The second place team overall will win a two night stay at the Westin Dawn Beach Resort.

Princess Casino Port de Plaisance will give each team $100 in casino free bets for entering and will award the winners of each individual category $100 in casino free bets, second place will receive $50 in free bets and third place $25. In addition, there will be a people’s choice award where the public can vote on their favourite BBQ. The winner will receive two tickets on Bluebeard Charters.

Judging will be done by local celebrities and chefs using a double blind draw method to ensure an unbiased result.

In addition to the BBQ contest, there will be other activities for the public including bands, face painting, clowns, and a dunk tank and other attractions along with local vendors.

“Bonny and I have wanted to get involved in the local community and we believe this is a great opportunity not only to have fun, but to help a The St. Maarten Medical Dialysis Unit, which is close to our hearts,” said Tyrell.

Bryan was a member of a two-time World BBQ Championship team when he lived in the US. From there, he was Smokehouse Manager for Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ in Kansas City when the restaurant was selected the second best BBQ restaurant in the world by Zagat’s Guide to Restaurants. He spent the last six years in London, UK and was Director of Operations for Bodean’s BBQ opening five BBQ restaurants. Bonny also has over 15 years experience in the restaurant business. She most recently served as General Manager of an Argentinean restaurant in London and generated annual sales of £5 million. They moved to St. Maarten in October of 2009 and opened Bonita’s on the site of the former Ric’s Place.

For more information on the contest and to enter, click on the menu page or contact Bryan or Bonny at 599 545-3630 or by email at info@bonitascantinasxm.com.