2016 Champion Grill Master to be crowned

The Micronesian Chefs Association has again partnered with the Guam Visitors Bureau for the much-anticipated 2016 Guam BBQ Block Party Champion Grill Master competition. With more than $4,000 in prize money up for grabs, the competition will be intense. Ten teams make up this year’s line-up of competitors:

• Chef Paul-GCC with team captain Paul Kerner

• Pacific Islands Club with team captain Simplicio Taga

• Team Korea with team captain Lee Kang Yeoun

• Åsu Smokehouse with team captain Sonny Orsini

• Guam Barbecue Company with team captain Joe Okada

• Hide Yakitori with team captain Hide Morikawa

• Team Meskla with team captain Peter Duenas

• Ohana Hawaiian with team captain Jen Santa Maria

• Outrigger Guam Resort with team captain Gene Soledad

• Sea Grill Restaurant with team captain Alexandra Sanchez

The 2015 Guam BBQ Block Party Champion Grill Master Åsu Smokehouse will return to defend their title and will be pitted against other chefs for the bragging rights and the title of 2016 Guam BBQ Block Party Champion Grill Master. Competitors will be sampling tasty BBQ in the chicken, pork and beef categories and will have delicious BBQ for purchase throughout the event.

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The annual BBQ Block Party takes place in the heart of Pleasure Island. Don’t miss this all-American-themed block party complete with an American Classic Muscle Car and Bike Show fueled by Shell and organized by Local Girl; the Hot Diggety Dog Eating Contest; Uncle Sam and the Firecracker Girls; food and beverage concessions; and the Miller Lite/Monster Beer Garden. It’ll be a star spangled good time with live performances from Those Two Guys, Step Up Dance, The Phoenix Stars, as well as the Phoenix Stage Band.

Telo Taitague, GVB’s acting president and CEO said, “The Guam BBQ Block Party in the heart of Pleasure Island is a proud way to celebrate the Fourth of July and the common values that make Guam a great place to live, work and visit. It’s heartwarming to see our residents sharing the Håfa Adai Spirit with each other and our visitors at this family friendly event. We also get to the chance to sample and showcase to the world the great BBQ that Guam is known for.”

Event organizers expect thousands of participants to turn out to enjoy this signature GVB event and will welcome global media representatives, generating millions of dollars in exposure for Guam. The Guam BBQ Block Party is family friendly and admission is free.

Residents should expect some delays in the Tumon area on July 2. San Vitores Road in Tumon—from the crosswalk between UnderWater World and T Galleria by DFS Guam to the SandCastle entrance traffic light—will be closed from Saturday, July 2, 9am through Sunday, July 3, 3am to ensure safety of event participants. Motorists are asked to drive with caution as there will be an increase in pedestrians in the area. Guam Police Department, with the support of GVB’s Visitor Safety Officers, and the Guam Fire Department will be on site to help keep the event safe for all.

GVB would like to thank the Office of Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio and the BBQ Block Party presenting sponsors The Plaza, Sandcastle, Dusit Thani Guam Resort, T Galleria by DFS, and Outrigger Guam Beach Resort for their continued partnership in growing the event year after year. GVB would also like to recognize the supporting sponsors Hot Diggety Dog, Monster Energy, Miller Lite, Pepsi, Hanom, Triple J Fivestar Wholesale, Pacific Daily News, Deloitte, Shell, Foody’s, and the Stations of KUAM.