Barbecue duel sizzles into Fort Irwin

By Sam Gillett

Till Death BBQ in Fort Irwin is inviting grillers to test their mettle at their first-ever backyard barbecue competition.

Any amateur cook is welcome to flaunt their smoking skills July 15 in a ribs category or the chef’s choice contest, where they can roast their own classics.

A panel of judges, including one local kid who’s become a Till Death superfan, will rate the grilled fare.

Shannon Brown, Till Death’s owner, has been crowned champion in many grill-offs himself, known for Texas-style smoking techniques. He won’t take part: the contest is strictly for the casual griller.

“Just cook it how you’d cook it for your family, have fun,” he advised would-be contestants.

Till Death BBQ will host competitors and their smokers or BBQs in their backyard, where he said most will take more than six hours to smoke their ribs.

A $50 entry fee includes two racks of ribs for a team of up to three people.

The winning BBQ artists will receive a range of prizes contributed by Highlands businesses such as the Eagle Lake Country Market.

Local rockers The Weber Brothers will be playing live music, and the restaurant will have games and other activities available.

The BBQ joint has garnered a devoted fanbase in the Highlands since opening in November 2021.

Along with a host of yearround residents who drop by regularly, Brown said he’s enjoyed meeting the evergrowing summer crowd: at a recent “Whole Hog Hillbilly Hoedown” Brown said around 400 people dropped by.

“Every weekend we’re meeting new families coming up for the season. As school ends more and more people come up every weekend,” he said.

To register or find out more, contact Till Death BBQ on Facebook or call the restaurant at 705-754-0998.