Sixth annual Grill Master Challenge set for April 13
What started out as a cook-off between two local escrow companies is now a community event that allows hundreds of families to eat barbecue for a good cause.
The sixth annual Grill Master Challenge will take place at Wolf Creek Brewery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13.
Eight Santa Clarita barbecuers will cook hundreds of pounds of tritip and chicken, with all proceeds going to the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project.
The event began when Jim Lombardi, CFO and owner of Federal Escrow, challenged Steve Corn, CEO of Newhall Escrow, to compete and grill meats for their coworkers and families.
The pair soon decided to formally partner with the SCV Youth Project and bring in more cooks with extensive culinary backgrounds.
Judged event
Now, the event has judges and people assessing who can make the best tri-tip and chicken.
There are four different awards — Judge’s Choice for Tri-tip, Judge’s Choice for Chicken, People’s Choice for Tri-tip, and People’s
Choice for Chicken.
“Through the help of the Santa Clarita Valley Escrow Association and the Youth Project, and everyone promoting it, fortunately it’s grown to be a pretty good-sized event — and I think it’s going to keep getting bigger every year,” Lombardi said.
All proceeds go to the Youth Project, an organization for Santa Clarita middle and high schools to help teenagers cope with teen challenges such as bullying, drug addiction or suicide.
The cooking begins at 9 a.m., and judges’ awards are at 2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at helpnothassle.org in advance for $20, and $25 at the event site. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Lombardis at 661-222-3132 or Andrea McCune with Pathway Escrow at 661-705-8440.
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It’s grown to a pretty good-size event — and I think it’s going to keep getting bigger every year.” Jim Lombardi,
of the annual competition that benefits the SCV Youth Project