Gourmet Guys Give Back
Congratulations to our 2019 winners:
JUDGES’ AWARDS
BEST APPETIZER: Larb Sliders by Xiao-Yin Byrom, Owner of Tang’s Alterations, Bridal & Bespoke;
BEST SOUP/CHILI (and winner of the Judges’ Top Prize): Thai Fusion Soup by Xiao-Yin Byrom;
BEST SALAD/SIDE DISH: Minted Cucumber Salad by Xiao-Yin Byrom;
BEST MAIN DISH: The Royal Masala by Shan Lateef, a student in PWC Public Schools and past graduate of the Summer Youth Academy;
BEST GRILL ITEM: Smoked Beef Brisket by Brian Sipes of the Prince William County Service Authority; Class of 2020;
BEST DESSERT: Chocolate Éclair Cake by Aaron Tolson, Development Director at ACTS; Class of 2018
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
BEST APPETIZER: Triangles of Heaven (samosas) by Shan Lateef;
BEST SOUP/CHILI: Papa D’s Lobster Bisque by Dave Merli;
BEST SALAD/SIDE DISH: Minted Cucumber Salad by Xiao-Yin Byrom;
BEST MAIN DISH: The Royal Masala by Shan Lateef;
BEST DESSERT: Chocolate Éclair Cake by Aaron Tolson.
FAN FAVORITE: Smoked Beef Brisket by Brian Sipes. Brian’s brisket received 94 total votes, making it a run-away for the top prize!

2018 Judges’ Awards
Appetizer
1st – Jim Aram “Mom’s Vietnamese Egg Rolls”
2nd – Marty Nohe “Marty’s Famous Thing That Has a Lot of Bacon”
3rd – Ben Hazekamp “Jalapeno Poppers”
Side Dish
1st – Chris Roccato “Chili Catchin’ Cornbread”
2nd – Mike Howard “German Potato Salad”
3rd – Darrell & Earnest Dixon “Potato Salad”
Main Dish
1st – Dave Merli “A Taste of the Holidays”
2nd – Mike Howard “German Curry Wurst”
3rd – Aaron Tolson “South African Rogan Josh Curry”
Dessert
1st – Aaron Tolson “Chocolate Éclair Cake”
2nd – Gregory Evans “Salt of the Earth Fudge”
3rd – Jim Elliott “Apple of My Eye”
Soup or Chili
1st – Rob Sturm “Robbie’s TDF Gumbo”
2nd – Jason Parson “Spicy Pumpkin Chicken Corn Chowder”
3rd – Bradley Marshall “Smoked Chili”
Grill
1st – Conrad Holtslag “Piggy Pug’s Pork BBQ”
2nd – Bennett Whitlock “Bennett’s Bodacious Beef”
3rd – Harry Horning “The Steaks Have Been Raised”

2018 People’s Choice Award Winners
Appetizer – Marty Nohe
Side Dish – Chris Roccato
Main Dish – Mike Howard
Dessert – Aaron Tolson
Soup or Chili – Jason Parsons
Grill – Bennett Whitlock *Tie
Grill – Conrad Holtslag *Tie
2018 Overall Fan Favorite “Best in Show”
Marty Nohe “Marty’s Famous Thing That Has a Lot of Bacon”