Dennymike's Bbq Rubs And Sauces Shake Up Competition At National Barbecue Association's Annual Conference And Expo

Maine-made products score impressive medals and awards for second year in a row


York, Maine - Barbecue entrepreneur Dennis M. ("DennyMike") Sherman emerged victorious from the 19th Annual National Barbecue Association's (www.nbbqa.org) Conference and Expo in Memphis, Tenn., for the second year in a row, bringing home seven honors for his increasingly popular "DennyMike's" line of barbecue sauces and rubs (www.dennymikes.com).

DennyMike's seven wins in the 2010 competition come on the heels of his impressive finish at the 2009 NBBQA competition held in Austin, Texas, where he earned five additional medals and awards his first year out of the gate. The awards are impressive accomplishments by any count, and particularly noteworthy since they were again scored in the southern heart of barbecue country by a dyed-in-the-wool, lifelong Mainer.

"Contenders at the NBBQA are recognized barbecue experts with an enviable level of talent and skill," explained Chef Paul Kirk, PhB, cookbook author who is known nationally as "The Kansas City Baron of BBQ." "It's considered quite an honor for anyone to receive this number and variety of wins at barbecue events of this size and stature. But the fact that here you have this Mainer showing a bunch of boys from down South a thing or two at the grill and smoker - for two years running - and you've got a real tale on your hands."

In product medals at this year's event, DennyMike's tangy "Carolina-Style BBQ Sauce" took a silver medal in the Vinegar Spicy Sauce competition, while "Fintastic, an herb seafood rub, earned a bronze in the Mediterranean/Herb Rub/Seasoning category. Additionally, DennyMike's "Hot 'n Nasty BBQ Sauce," a product favorite, earned a fifth place award in the Tomato Spicy Sauce Category.

"The still-growing success of DennyMike's is just one more shining example of Maine ingenuity," according to Maine Governor John Baldacci. "We all benefit when outstanding Maine products earn attention from the rest of the United States."

The 2010 NBBQA competition drew more than 250 entries from well-known, respected barbecue professionals from throughout the United States and Canada; winners were selected by judges in blind taste tests. The strict judging criteria and expertise of the judges make the event one of the foremost in the barbecue world and product industry, and emphasize the significance of Sherman's medals and awards.

In addition to his product wins, DennyMike's brought home four packaging design awards at the event.
DennyMike's Bloody Good 'Cue Gift Pack, a holiday set that paired DennyMike's "Hot 'n Nasty Sauce" and "Pixie Dust Rub" with Maine's Cold River Vodka for a Maine twist on the traditional Bloody Mary cocktail, took first place in the Specialty Gift Pack category. DennyMike's BBQ Lover's Branded Shipper Box was awarded fourth place in the same category.

DennyMike's also garnered attention and accolades for its labels, winning a third place for "Pixie Dust Rub" and a fifth place for the "Hot 'n Nasty Sauce," both in the Best Label competition. Designed and created by T.Doc Creative in Westbrook, Maine, DennyMike's colorful displays, labels and packaging have won numerous awards in barbecue and design competitions.

DennyMike's products currently are featured at hundreds of specialty food stores and major market locations from New Jersey to Maine and in Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas. Available at Cabela's stores nationwide and featured for order on its website (http://tinyurl.com/y8qjnd6) and in its product catalog, DennyMike&#