Saint Viator Barbeque Hosts Chicken Wing Cook-Off
Saint Viator Barbeque turned up the heat during Lion Block on Wednesday, February 26, hosting their first chicken wing grill contest.
Prep began a week in advance with a planning meeting focused on safety, technique, and task assignments. For this cook, students were challenged to create their own blackening seasoning and develop a unique take on Alabama white sauce. In total, more than 200 wings were cooked and enjoyed, made possible by a generous donation of 80 pounds of wings from Thuringer’s Meats in Arlington Heights.
Congratulations to all 24 students who participated, including the top teams:
- Ryan Kadlec '27, Dylan Bergt '27, and Ben Krillenberger '27
- Frank Clary '26 and Ryan Loftus '26
Special thanks to Mrs. Ferrazza, Mr. Zimmerman, and Mr. Moore for serving as judges and scoring based on doneness, presentation, and taste.
Beyond the competition, Saint Viator Barbeque is designed to build leadership and personal growth. The club is student-led, and each cook requires planning, communication, and shared responsibility. Members track their development through a Grill Club Passport, completing short reflections after each cook on their skills, teamwork, and growth. Students also help create and uphold the Pitmaster Code—a shared commitment to safety, respect, effort, and community—empowering them to take ownership of the club environment.
Next up, Saint Viator Barbeque members will begin studying ribs, exploring dry rubs versus wet sauces, and comparing St. Louis cuts to baby back ribs.
