Famous Dave’s gives back with limited-time menu featuring recipe from local 15-year-old pitmaster
Famous Dave’s BBQ in Tukwila and Tacoma launched a limited-time menu last week featuring a dish created by a local 15-year-old pitmaster. Evan Wiederspohn of Gladiator BBQ in Arlington, Washington, won the chance to have his recipe featured on the menu at last year’s inaugural Famous Dave’s Washington BBQ Competition in Everett.
Hosted by Famous Dave’s BBQ franchisee Ascend Hospitality Group (AHG), 25 professional barbecue teams fired up smokers for a competition collaboration with the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association. AHG also held a blind judging to land a team’s name and item on the menu at its Famous Dave’s locations. After sampling and scoring six unique dishes without knowing which pitmaster was behind each, the panel selected an appetizer made by then-15-year-old Wiederspohn.
Naming his dish “Mac Pull-Aparts” – comprised of Dave’s Cheesy Mac n’Cheese, smoked bacon, Colby Jack cheese, and burnt buttz – Wiederspohn said he went to his nearest Famous Dave’s location to try every side and appetizer on the menu to determine the ingredients available and what might have been missing from the lineup.
“I worked really hard on making the dish, it was something I was really proud of. Then I won and that was mind blowing,” Wiederspohn said. “Having something on the Famous Dave’s menu is a dream come true, I never thought that would happen. It’s crazy to see everything I’ve worked for come to life.”
In addition to bringing Wiederspohn’s recipe to life on the menu that will run through the end of the year, AHG’s Famous Dave’s locations will donate a portion of the proceeds from his appetizer to the Seattle Culinary Academy at Seattle Central College. “Our company core values are ‘You Matter, Team Matters, Service Matters,’ and Evan’s incredible win fits squarely into that,” said Elaina Morris, president & CEO of AHG. “At AHG, we strive to inspire and encourage present and future culinarians to go above and beyond. Competitions and programs like these are exactly how we are committed to holding the hospitality industry to a higher standard.”
The Mac Pull-Aparts are available now! See what the hype is about at these locations and try for yourself at Famous Dave’s BBQ in Tacoma (1901 South 72nd Street) and Tukwila (17770 Southcenter Parkway).
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