LOCAL CELEBRITY JUDGES TO AWARD BEST RIBS AT THE GREAT MIDWEST RIB FEST AT MYSTIC LAKE JULY 25 – 27
The Great Midwest Rib Fest debuts at Mystic Lake this year, featuring eight of the country’s top rib cookers competing for $15,000 in prizes. The free outdoor event also includes an art festival with dozens of Midwestern artists, live entertainment, and food and drink tents selling specialty sides, desserts and more.
Local celebrity judges will decide which rib cookers take home prizes for the best-tasting ribs. A total of $15,000 in prizes will be awarded: $8,000 for 1st Place, $3,000 for 2nd Place, $2,000 for 3rd Place, $1,000 for 4th Place, $500 for 5th Place and $500 for Best Sauce. The public is invited to vote for the Best of the Fest Award on Friday and Saturday. Rib contest prize winners and the people’s choice for Best of the Fest will be announced at 3 p.m. Sunday.
RIB COMPETITION JUDGES
Head Judge Jack Riebel is former Executive Chef and co-founder of Butcher & the Boar (named the Star Tribune’s 2012 Restaurant of the Year, and James Beard Foundation’s Best New Restaurant semifinalist). Riebel was also a 2013 James Beard nominee for Best Chef: Midwest.
Stephanie March is editor of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s Eat + Drink section and host of the Weekly Dish radio show.
Sue Zelickson is a regular contributor to Minnesota Monthly, co-creator of the Minnesota Monthly Food & Wine Experience and co-creator of the Charlie Awards. Zelickson is a James Beard Broadcast Media Award Winner and judges local and national chef and cooking contests.
Jason DeRusha is a five-time Emmy Award winner and weekday co-anchor of WCCO This Morning and WCCO News at Noon with Jamie Yuccas. He is also the station’s food reporter and produces the weekly “DeRusha Eats” segment for WCCO Saturday Morning.
Carrie Summer and Lisa Carlson are food truck industry leaders with extensive culinary experience in California and New York, and creators of Chef Shack Productions. Owners of two restaurants and three nationally-ranked food trucks, the team specializes in tempting luxury meats and seafood in the spirit of American cuisine.
PARTICIPATING BARBECUE CONTESTANTS
Aussom Aussie Australian Barbecue Company
Philadelphia, PA
Chicago BBQ Company
Chicago, IL
Croix Valley BBQ
River Falls, WI
Famous Dave’s
Minneapolis, MN
Rasta Joe BBQ
Plymouth, IN
Texas Outlaw BBQ
Elizabethtown, KY
Texas Thunder BBQ
Euless, TX
Uncle Bub’s BBQ
Westmont, IL
EVENT:
The Great Midwest Rib Fest
Friday, July 25 • 4 – 10 pm
Saturday, July 26 • 11 am – 10 pm
Sunday, July 27 • 11 am – 5 pm
MUSIC:
Paul Revere and The Raiders
Friday, July 25 • 8 pm The Oak Ridge Boys
Saturday, July 26 • 8 pm Chris Hawkey
Sunday, July 27 • 3:30 pm
Local bands Viva Knievel, Not Guilty, Power of 10, Maiden Dixie, Jimmi & The Band of Souls and Junk FM will also perform throughout the festival.
LOCATION:
All Great Midwest Rib Fest events will take place outside Mystic Lake.
DETAILS:
This free event is open to all ages. Additional vendors will serve sides, desserts and drinks. The Great Midwest Art Fest will feature works by dozens of artists working in a variety of mediums, Guests must be 18 to gamble and 21 to purchase or consume alcohol. Visit midwestribfest.com for details and a complete schedule of events.
ABOUT MYSTIC LAKE CASINO HOTEL
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, the premier gaming facility in the Midwest, continually creates new, fun and exciting entertainment experiences for its guests. Mystic Lake® offers gaming, three lively bars, exceptional dining at seven restaurants, headline performers, unique special events and luxurious accommodations. Located 25 minutes southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul in Prior Lake.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tammy Reed 952-496-7212 Tamara.Reed@mysticlake.com
Whitney Hardman 952-403-5434 PR@mysticlake.com
Local celebrity judges will decide which rib cookers take home prizes for the best-tasting ribs. A total of $15,000 in prizes will be awarded: $8,000 for 1st Place, $3,000 for 2nd Place, $2,000 for 3rd Place, $1,000 for 4th Place, $500 for 5th Place and $500 for Best Sauce. The public is invited to vote for the Best of the Fest Award on Friday and Saturday. Rib contest prize winners and the people’s choice for Best of the Fest will be announced at 3 p.m. Sunday.
RIB COMPETITION JUDGES
Head Judge Jack Riebel is former Executive Chef and co-founder of Butcher & the Boar (named the Star Tribune’s 2012 Restaurant of the Year, and James Beard Foundation’s Best New Restaurant semifinalist). Riebel was also a 2013 James Beard nominee for Best Chef: Midwest.
Stephanie March is editor of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s Eat + Drink section and host of the Weekly Dish radio show.
Sue Zelickson is a regular contributor to Minnesota Monthly, co-creator of the Minnesota Monthly Food & Wine Experience and co-creator of the Charlie Awards. Zelickson is a James Beard Broadcast Media Award Winner and judges local and national chef and cooking contests.
Jason DeRusha is a five-time Emmy Award winner and weekday co-anchor of WCCO This Morning and WCCO News at Noon with Jamie Yuccas. He is also the station’s food reporter and produces the weekly “DeRusha Eats” segment for WCCO Saturday Morning.
Carrie Summer and Lisa Carlson are food truck industry leaders with extensive culinary experience in California and New York, and creators of Chef Shack Productions. Owners of two restaurants and three nationally-ranked food trucks, the team specializes in tempting luxury meats and seafood in the spirit of American cuisine.
PARTICIPATING BARBECUE CONTESTANTS
Aussom Aussie Australian Barbecue Company
Philadelphia, PA
Chicago BBQ Company
Chicago, IL
Croix Valley BBQ
River Falls, WI
Famous Dave’s
Minneapolis, MN
Rasta Joe BBQ
Plymouth, IN
Texas Outlaw BBQ
Elizabethtown, KY
Texas Thunder BBQ
Euless, TX
Uncle Bub’s BBQ
Westmont, IL
EVENT:
The Great Midwest Rib Fest
Friday, July 25 • 4 – 10 pm
Saturday, July 26 • 11 am – 10 pm
Sunday, July 27 • 11 am – 5 pm
MUSIC:
Paul Revere and The Raiders
Friday, July 25 • 8 pm The Oak Ridge Boys
Saturday, July 26 • 8 pm Chris Hawkey
Sunday, July 27 • 3:30 pm
Local bands Viva Knievel, Not Guilty, Power of 10, Maiden Dixie, Jimmi & The Band of Souls and Junk FM will also perform throughout the festival.
LOCATION:
All Great Midwest Rib Fest events will take place outside Mystic Lake.
DETAILS:
This free event is open to all ages. Additional vendors will serve sides, desserts and drinks. The Great Midwest Art Fest will feature works by dozens of artists working in a variety of mediums, Guests must be 18 to gamble and 21 to purchase or consume alcohol. Visit midwestribfest.com for details and a complete schedule of events.
ABOUT MYSTIC LAKE CASINO HOTEL
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, the premier gaming facility in the Midwest, continually creates new, fun and exciting entertainment experiences for its guests. Mystic Lake® offers gaming, three lively bars, exceptional dining at seven restaurants, headline performers, unique special events and luxurious accommodations. Located 25 minutes southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul in Prior Lake.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tammy Reed 952-496-7212 Tamara.Reed@mysticlake.com
Whitney Hardman 952-403-5434 PR@mysticlake.com
