A whiff of barbecued meat teased the nostrils as guests stepped through the gates of the Delisser residence in Millsborough. The grills were fired up ’round back, and it was set to be a night of tasty food and good company.

Designated hostess Zein Nakash bustled about greeting guests, while at the same time checking to ensure that the serving of dinner was on schedule. Some guests mingled by the poolside bar, while others favoured the J Wray and Nephew wine and spirit stations or sampled ice cream from Häagen Dazs.

The focus, Wednesday last, August 25, was on team Hogaholics, the grand champions of the recent Appleton Estate All-Jamaica Grill-Off held in Hope Gardens on Saturday June 5.

Hogaholics supporters were out en masse to attend the benefit event to send the team to Kansas City, Missouri, where they are set to compete in one of the biggest grilling events in the western hemisphere — the annual American Royal Barbecue. Representing Jamaica, they will be turning up the heat in Kansas at the barbecue’s 31st staging, which will be held September 28 to October 4.

Dale D’s Grilled Lobster with Cajun Spice, Nakash’s Shredded Hogwiches, Bad Dawgs’ Hog Ribs and Hamilton’s Sausages, were only a few selections on the menu which had guests salivating at the thought, and rubbing their tummies in satisfaction afterward! Shortly after 7 o’clock the serving of dinner was announced, and the guests converged on the food stations, where they were dished tender meats bursting with smoky flavour, some smothered with delicious sauces; they all seemed to melt in your mouth as you got them hot off the grill and straight to your plate. It was a meat lover’s dream.

Thursday Food caught the Hogaholics in action, as with the help of their teammates and other grill-off buddies, they treated their guests to a spread fit for a king.

By the look (and taste) of things, it appears the Hogaholics are ready to bring home the bacon.

Photos: Karl McLarty

Photos & Captions

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Richard Harrison gets ready to cut into Shaggy’s Hog Loin with Appleton Grease.

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Dale D himself was at the grill, tending to his Grilled Lobster with Cajun Spice.

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Guests line up to fill their plates before heading over to the meat station.

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Team Hogaholics’ Chris Hamilton slices into his tender Grilled Strip Loin..

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Chris Nakash shows us how to pull the pork for his shredded Hogwiches.

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Bad Dawgs’ Simon Levy serves the team’s signature ‘hog ribs’ to one of the guests at the event.

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Hamilton’s sausages were a big hit with guests, and couldn’t cook fast enough on the grill.

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Guests enjoyed side dishes of (from left) corn on the cob, Irish potato rounds and rolls of smoked pork lasagna by Lorraine Fung.

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Sheriff’s Mento Band Chicken gets a final turn on the grill.

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Macaroni (left) and fried breadfruit were on the Lorraine Fung ‘sides’ menu.

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Nakash’s Shredded Hogwiches were a mouth-watering masterpiece!

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Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, was quick to sample team Bad Dawgs’ delectable Hog Ribs.