TECO team members and contractors cooked and competed Saturday, April 1 - all in the name of charity.
On Saturday, April 1, a record-breaking crowd of BBQ lovers came out to the 12th annual TECO Family BBQ Cook-off for Charity. On top of enjoying sizzling BBQ fresh from the grill, guests were also greeted with family-friendly fun including bucket truck photo opportunities, a rock-climbing wall, kid crafts and a car show.
The Enercon Barbeque team’s grill master in action.
Meanwhile, Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas team members and contractors cooked and competed - all in the name of charity. This year’s event supported the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and OASIS Opportunities, which provides clothing and fundamental necessities for at-risk and low-income students in Hillsborough County. “We want to make sure that kids can build their self-confidence, feel like they fit in with their peers and attend school every day. Sometimes clothing and hygiene items are barriers to that,” said Dawn Schulman, Executive Director of OASIS Opportunities.
The 12th annual TECO Family BBQ Cook-off for Charity raised money for Oasis Opportunities.
The 12th annual TECO Family BBQ Cook-off for Charity raised money for the Human Society of Tampa Bay.
Dawn is from Kansas City so indulging in some delicious BBQ was an added bonus. “We were delighted to come share our story and how to help,” shared Dawn. “Helping is not always donating dollars. Sometimes it’s donating items - stuff that people have in their closet, and it still has great life in it and they either outgrown it or they never had a chance to wear it. We can utilize it and give it to Pre-K through 12th grade kids in Hillsborough County.”
Ramblin’ Fork BBQ Company took home the Grand Champion first place prize.
Dawn and her team were able to accept multiple donations on Saturday. “We’re so thankful that TECO chose us to partner with them,” said Dawn. “We currently serve about 13,000 kids and we have a goal in ten years to serve 25,000 kids a year. So, it’s really important for us to get the word out. We had a bunch of clothing donations come in from TECO members, so we’re really blessed just to be here.”
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is also counting their blessings as the other benefiting charity. “We try to help get any animal off the streets. We like to find them homes where they can grow and help people grow,” said Lead Volunteer Bernard Kelleher.
The Big Bend – I Can’t Believe It’s Not Manatee team won People’s Choice.
“The Humane Society of Tampa Bay was thrilled to see the turnout and they were even able to adopt all six of the puppies they brought,” said Tampa Electric Operations Analyst and Event Lead Natalie Ashmore. “The support both charities offered in publicizing the event, supplying volunteers and sharing their missions was amazing!”
The Bamboo Warriors placed first in the rib category.
Amazing is the perfect word to describe the annual outdoor tradition at the Showmen’s Club in Riverview. “All the BBQ teams did such a wonderful job not only in the competition but also feeding all those people who attended,” said Natalie. “Everyone I’ve spoken with has raved about how delicious all the food was and how much fun they were having. Seeing all the teams pulling together and working hard was inspirational to say the least."
The TECO Family BBQ Cook-off for Charity Committee worked long hours to execute a successful event. TECO Family BBQ Cook-off for Charity is a separate 501(c)(3) entity from TECO and run by past and present team members.
Although the biggest winners of the day were OASIS Opportunities and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, here are the other first-place winners of the BBQ Cook-Off for Charity by category:
Dessert: Take U 2 Skool BBQ
Macaroni and Cheese: Smokin’ Ain’t EZ BBQ
Sauce: Smokin’ Ain’t EZ BBQ
Chicken: Holla atcha Boyz
Pork: Secondhand Smoke
Ribs: Bamboo Warriors
Brisket: Ramblin’ Fork BBQ Company
People’s Choice: Big Bend – I Can’t Believe It’s Not Manatee
Grand Champion: Ramblin’ Fork BBQ Company
