On April 21, the air around St. John’s University buzzed with excitement and the mouthwatering aroma of barbecue. Chefs from six nearby universities gathered for the second annual Chartwells Blazing BBQ Brawl. This lively competition brought together around 1,400 students, faculty, and staff, all eager to find out who would take home the title of BBQ champion.
“This event began in 2011 at SUNY Old Westbury,” said Chef Paul Bowden from Chartwells. “Our aim is to make it bigger and better each year. This time, we introduced an ‘Iron Chef’ style ‘Live Fire’ category, where chefs cooked tomahawk steaks for a student judging panel. The winner snagged a championship ring, adding even more fun.”
Participants competed in five categories: brisket, chicken, ribs, pork, and vegetarian. It’s not often you see a vegetarian dish at a BBQ contest, but Chef Bowden believes it’s a unique touch. The overall high scorer received a coveted championship belt.
For just the price of a meal swipe, attendees tasted BBQ from St. John’s and other universities like Adelphi, Hofstra, SUNY Old Westbury, and Quinnipiac. The atmosphere was electric.
“I wasn’t aware this was happening, so when I saw all the smokers set up, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, YES!’” said Elisabeth Chuni, a psychology major. She appreciated how the event brought everyone together for a fantastic experience.
Bella Guido, a nursing student, echoed her excitement: “The food is amazing! I love the variety from different schools, and the music creates a great vibe.”
Others like Antonio Sobrao, a finance major, were thrilled with the flavors. “I’m digging into the pulled pork—it’s incredible!” he said.
Jolene Desiste, studying legal studies, loved the competition aspect. “It’s fun because you get a mix of styles and flavors, all under this BBQ theme.”
Guests couldn’t stop raving about the food. Rochile Vestrat, a criminal justice major, was excited to see so many options, singling out the birria tacos as a highlight.
Judges like Jack Flynn, Assistant Dean of Students, enjoyed sampling the delicious offerings. “It’s great to see so many students enjoying Chartwells’ best food,” he commented.
Sr. Patricia Evanick, from Campus Ministry, praised not just the food but the sense of community. “Events like this bring people together to celebrate,” she said.
The winners included:
- Overall BBQ Champion: Chef Joshua Jampole (St. John’s University)
- Best Ribs: Chef Joshua Jampole
- Best Pork: Chef Joshua Jampole
- Best Chicken: Chef John Mesas (Hofstra University)
- Best Brisket: Chef John Mesas
- Best Vegan Dish: Chef Jose Rodriguez (SUNY Old Westbury)
- Live Fire Competition: Chef Michael Russell (Adelphi University)
Chef Joshua Jampole, a two-time champion, shared his passion for BBQ. “We love creating our own rubs and smoking the meat. There’s a friendly rivalry here, but more than that, it’s about doing something special for the students.”
Events like this are more than just competitions; they help build community and foster connections. With a blend of delicious food and friendly competition, the BBQ Brawl at St. John’s University has become a highlight of the year, showcasing not just culinary talent but also the joy of togetherness in the campus community.
For more insights about campus events and community building, check out Chartwells.
