Original Carribean Cookers to showcase their cooking skills at Pasadena Strawberry Festival

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

PASADENA, TEXAS (May 16, 2014) When May comes around, that can only mean one thing. It is time for the Pasadena Strawberry Festival, beginning on May 16, 2014 and running through May 18, 2014 at the Pasadena Fairgrounds in the Houston suburb of Pasadena.

In addition to tons of strawberries, music and carnival rides, the annual barbecue cook off is one of the main events that draws cooking teams from all over the Houston area and around the state of Texas.

The Original Carribean Cookers, a state award winning cook team, will be competing at the Strawberry Festival for the 12th year in a row and they take every cooking competition as seriously as any professional athlete or team.

The team started out as a group of friends and family who had a love of fellowship, music, and of course, barbecue.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

Carribean Cookers pull no punches with working to their desired result; winning whichever event they are currently competing and giving back to the community.

With such a diverse team, one might think that the team has certain aspects that they emphasis.

That could not be further from the truth.

Team owner and head cook Byron Butts stressed that prior to the Friday night event.

“We really don’t have any specialties. We cook for our friends and families, and sponsors. We cook ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage, and deserts. The one thing we are known for is our cherry pork chops.”

In fact, the Caribbean Cookers compete in a variety of events, including Cook’s Choice, Margaritas, Deserts, Best Port-A-Can, and of course, barbecue.

They cook a variety of means, including ribs, brisket, fajitas, chicken and beans.

Awards for showmanship and presentation are also contested.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

In addition to ample food and drink, Carribean Cookers provided entertainment for their sponsors, families and friends while they enjoy their culinary delights.

Pasadena native Josh Norman will perform on Friday evening in the cook team’s compound.

Norman will entertain those in attendance with country music favorites and original compositions.

The Strawberry Festival will be the first event for 2014 and they have high hopes of continuing the success they have seen in past years.

Butts also stressed that the competition cooking, fellowship, and music is not the only reason that the

“The Strawberry Festival, San Jacinto Days Foundation and the various cook teams used these festivals as a means to raise money for scholarships for local high school students. That is the main reason we do this. To give back to the community and for the kids to further their education. You can’t have a better cause than that.”

The festival will run from Friday, May 16 until Sunday, May 18, with awards presented on the final day.

With all the enthusiasm, dedication and attention to detail seen inside their cook compound, there is no doubt Carribean Cookers will be taking home more awards to add to their already full trophy case.