Thank you to all who supported and participated in our third annual Williams Marcellus Barbecue Cook-Off to benefit United Way chapters serving Susquehanna County and Wyoming County in Pennsylvania, and Broome County in New York.

The event took place last Friday, Sept. 12, in Nicholson, Pa. It featured teams cooking their best barbecue ribs, pulled pork or beef brisket for a chance to hoist the highly regarded “Grand Champion” trophy for 2014.

The Barbecue Cook-Off is Williams’ largest fundraising event to benefit the United Way in northeast Pennsylvania. Williams matches all proceeds from the event, dollar for dollar, and we strive for big results.

Pre-event registration of VIP judge teams and cook teams for the 2014 event surpassed the previous year’s by $10,000, totaling $60,000. The day of the event, we raised more money through ticket sales at the gate and attendees’ contributions to the United Way while tasting barbecue from different teams (also known as the People’s Choice voting category).

Many teams were from locally-based natural gas production or pipeline companies or contractors working in the Marcellus Shale. We also had competitors from as far as Georgia enter the 2014 competition.

Williams anticipates the event raised over $70,000: a 40 percent increase from 2013. With Williams’ match, we will be providing $140,000 to local United Way agencies.

Here are the results from the 2014 Williams Barbecue Cook-Off:

• In the Beef Brisket Category, the winning teams were:
  3rd place: Williams Brew Crew
  2nd place: Cabot Pitmasters
  1st Place: Milton Cat
• In the Pulled Pork Category, the winning teams were:
  3rd place: WPX Energy
  2nd place: Shakabuka
  1st Place: Too Sauced to Pork
• In the BBQ Ribs Category, the winning teams were:
  3rd place: Flynn Energy
  2nd place: Cabot Pitmasters
  1st Place: Smokin’ to Win
• In the People’s Choice Category, the winning teams was:
  Smokin’ to Win, which raised an incredible $1,720 in People’s Choice dollars for the United Way
• And lastly, the Grand Champion for the 2014 Williams Marcellus Barbecue Cook-Off: Smokin’ to Win!
  Congratulations to Smokin’ to Win for their victory.

Thank you to all cook teams, VIP judge teams, People’s Choice judges and volunteers, for helping us make this event a success. We’re looking forward to next year.