Public Safety BBQ Team Wins Big

When the members of the Riverside Public Safety Department aren’t working hard keeping our community safe, they’re honing their skills behind the BBQ grill. Earlier this month, the Department’s BBQ team, Team Hook ‘em and Cook ‘em, was named Grand Champion at the Briar-Q BBQ Contest. Although this is the first time the team has taken home the top prize, they’ve regularly placed in contests since their formation in two years ago.

“We put together the team in 2009 for the City’s BBQ Blast Off event and really enjoy having the opportunity to get together outside of work to eat, drink and have a good time in a family-friendly environment,” Officer Luther Solomon, co-head chef of the team, said.

Although the team mainly competes in backyard BBQ contests, Solomon said the team is ready to take it to the next level and has already made plans to compete in the American Royal BBQ contest in 2012.

“The Hook ‘em and Cook ‘em BBQ team is an example of how we try to support our Public Safety staff in being a part of our community in ways that are different from the normal demands they face each day. It’s good for them and it’s especially good for us, because we get to eat some of the best BBQ in the Northland,” Chief Greg Mills, Director of Public Safety, said.