Rock ‘N’ Ribs Cook-Off

The Downtown Business Association held a just-for-fun barbecue
for about 500 people Friday. On Saturday, though, 16 chefs spent
all afternoon competing in the downtown Rock ‘N’ Ribs Cook-Off.
The Downtown Business Association held a just-for-fun barbecue for about 500 people Friday. On Saturday, though, 16 chefs spent all afternoon competing in the downtown Rock ‘N’ Ribs Cook-Off.

All told, the various chefs served nearly 1,000 pounds of ribs, chicken and pork tenderloin to about 2,500 people who showed up Friday and Saturday, according to Steve Ashford and Dave Peoples, directors of the Downtown Business Association.

First- and second-place winners received trophies and $250 and $150, respectively; bronze winners got a plaque and $100; and all won the respect of the California Barbecue Association, especially Gilroy’s own Don Franklin, whose Barnyard BBQ placed second in the pork tenderloin competition and third in the ribs.