Frankfort Amateur Rib Cook-Off 2018: A By-The-Numbers Event Guide

FRANKFORT, IL — For first-timers attending the Frankfort Amateur Rib Cook-Off on Saturday, Sue Lynchey, the village's event coordinator, has one important piece of advice: Get to Breidert Green early if you want a chance to try all the entries. The public tasting runs from 12:30 to 2 p.m., and the lines can be long to sample the slabs of baby back ribs.

"The ribs do go fast. It's a quick event," Lynchey said of the village's popular cooking competition, which celebrates its 10th year.

Admission to the cook-off is free, and tasting tickets to try the variety of ribs will be sold. Food purchases benefit the Frankfort Area Jaycees, while drink sales go to the Frankfort Lions Club.

In honor of a decade of the Frankfort Amateur Rib Cook-Off, Patch has put a by-the-numbers guide to the annual competition.

2009

First year of the cook-off. During that inaugural year, the event attracted around six to nine competitors, Lynchey said. That number has grown over the years, with an average of 15 contestants annually.

16

Contestants for the 2018 cook-off. This year's event has attracted contestants from Frankfort and the surrounding Lincoln-Way communities, as well as Joliet, Roselle, Oak Forest and Sheridan, Lynchey said.

5

New contestants participating for the first time this year. Although the 2018 cook-off field is dominated by returning competitors, Lynchey said the event always welcomes newcomers. Rib cooks just need to be 18 or older, and they can't be professional chefs, she added.

30

Perfect score that can be awarded to contestants. Entries are judged on appearance, tenderness and taste, and they are scored on a scale of 1 (bad) to 10 (excellent), according to the rules. Prizes are awarded to first-, second- and third-place finishers, as well as a "Crowd Pleaser" award.

2 p.m.

Time winners will be announced. While chow time might fly by for hungry rib fans, it's a longer day for competitors, who can begin setting up as early as 6 a.m.

Frankfort Amateur Rib Cook-Off 2018: The Basics

When: Saturday, Aug. 4. Tasting tickets go on sale at noon, and the public tasting runs from 12:30 to 2 p.m., when the winners are announced. Big Dog Mercer will perform blues music during the event, which will be held rain or shine.

Where: Breidert Green parking lot, downtown Frankfort

Cost: Admission is free, and tasting tickets for entries will be sold. Four tickets cost $5, eight tickets are $10, and 12 tickets are $15.

More Info: Go to the Village of Frankfort's website for event details.

The 2017 Frankfort Amateur Rib Cook-Off (Photo via the Village of Frankfort)