Jessica Foster
Staff WriterHugoís Fire Fightiní Cookiní Crew has reason to brag, after recently participating in the Jack Danielís World BBQ Competition in Lynchburg, TN.
The father/daughter team is comprised of head cook Mike Perreault. Taking care of the other body partsóas they jokeóare Kristina Perreault, 16, Jenny Perreault, 20 and Dora VanBeckum, 20.
ìBut Iím a Perreault at competitions,î VanBeckum jokes.
In 2003, the family team garnered more than 15 awards for their creations.
The Fire Fightiní Cookiní Crew is the Iowa state chili champion and took second place in turkey there. They are the Wisconsin state champion in beans and took second place in desserts there. They were named the Minnesota Grand Champion, which qualified the team for the National BBQ contest. Also in Minnesota, they are the beef brisket and chicken champion, fourth place in ribs and ninth place in pork.
At the National event in Kansas City, the crew took 15th place with more than 400 teams competing. In the pork division, their efforts garnered an eighth place award.
For four years, the family has been traveling throughout the midwest and beyond to show their talents as a barbecue team.
But, it could be argued, the cooking goes back even further.
Back in the day, Mike knew a guy who had a barbecue and grilled out for his employees. Perreault had said if he was ever in the position where he had employees, he wanted to get a barbecue rig and cook for them.
When that day came, he bought a 14' mobile cooking unit from the Outdoor Cooking Store in White Bear Lake.
ìI started cooking for them,î Perreault explained, saying he never envisioned taking the show on the road.
But he and Kristina did fire up a Weber grill for the two hour barbecue opener, and never placed lower than third place.
The folks at the Outdoor Cooking Store suggested Perreault and his girls compete on the professional circuit.
More than two hours, the professional circuit is about timing, slow cooking to perfection and two days of intense pressure to create the best food that will never touch their lips.
The meats, procured via special order, begin cooking at night. They are judged on appearance, texture and taste with display being of utmost importance.
They purchased an old pumper truck from the Hugo Fire Department, gave it a fresh paint of red enamel and emblazoned Hugo Fire Department, Thirst Rescue. Coolers on the back are filled with pop and beer. And thus was born the Fire Fightiní Cookiní Crew.
Manning the 14' grill is not a one man job. Cooking contests became a family team.
ìThere is so much activity, itís very difficult to do by yourself. We decided to do it as a family event,î Mike said.
The Perreaults are the only father-daughter team in competition.
ìBarbecuing is kind of a guy sport,î Mike said.
Jenny is proud to break that stereotype.
ìThe only other girls are wives who basically just make dessert,î she said. ìWeíre actually there doing it.î
When the team began four years ago the girls had a lot to learn. Now, they are as seasoned as their award winning foods.
ìWe used to be Dad and the kids, now weíre a team,î Mike said.
While she doesnít share the same D.N.A. the Perreaults say VanBeckum is part of the family as she has been Jennyís best friend for years.
ìIn the beginning, we were just doing it for fun,î Van Beckum said. ìAnd we did extremely well at it. Weíve done well from the beginning.î
The Perreaultís success is somewhat of an anomaly, as it is professionals who test their reputation at these eventsórestaurants, caterers, chains regarded for their barbecue prowess.
ìItís not just a bunch of backyard cookers,î Mike jokes.
Over four years, the team has racked up several awards. They have no plans for quitting any time soon.
ìWe will do it as long as we can all do it,î Jenny said. While they plan to continue to compete, they will not be starting up a catering company anytime soon.
ìWeíre NOT for hire,î Mike stressed. ìWe donít do any catering.î
The new season begins in May. Until then, the Perreaults will enjoy their recent victory and taste a variety of new creations to prepare for competition.
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