Behind the scenes at Heinz Field Rib Fest: Ohio chef defends title

Chef Kevin Gift is back to defend his title.

The owner of Pigfoot Barbecue in Mentor, Ohio is vying for his second-consecutive championship for best ribs this weekend at the Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Fest.

The chefs are competing for a People’s Choice Award chosen via social media. A trophy is also awarded by a panel of judges who sample the ribs in person.

It’s all in how you cook ‘em,” said Gift, who has been cooking ribs nearly five decades.

Here’s a peek behind the curtain at Gift’s process:

He begins with racks of ribs, lines them up and puts homemade rub on them.

They then get placed in an old hickory smoker where wood gets placed in a hot box which also contains charcoal where they are inside for four and one half hours. They are pulled after hours cooking and allowed to rest before they are grilled and ready to be served.

Gift, who does 18 events a year and who has won over 350 awards, has also participated in the former rib festival at South Park and he recently attended the Seven Springs event.

“This event at Heinz Field is such a nice, relaxed atmosphere,” Gift said. “I really like the people of Pittsburgh. We get treated well, here.”

Pricing is comparable at the rib festival. Most vendors take credit cards.

At Pigfoot, three ribs are $8, four are $10, a half slab is $15 and a full rack for $25.

The best deal is a full rack with two sides, he said.

“I love cooking ribs because it’s my passion,” Gift said. “You want the meat to pull off the bone, not fall off the bone. It’s overcooked if it falls off the bone.

? #RibFest Update ?

Pittsburgh Blues legend @BillyPricePgh will headline our final day of music on Monday, Sept. 2, following the @officialtvband and The Delaneys.

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— Heinz Field (@heinzfield) August 30, 2019