Ribfest returns

Ribfest is back for a second year and organizers say it’s going to be bigger and better than their inaugural event last summer.

This year’s edition will feature a lot more local content, said Waterfront District BIA vice-chairman Jim Comuzzi, whose Roosters Bistro will be one of 12 downtown north core eateries offering up their own brand of succulent ribs in a friendly competition on the event’s final day, Aug. 25.

“They’re taking part by having a best rib and best sauce competition that is also going to be the competition that the ribbers from out of town are going to be in,” Comuzzi said Tuesday, helping organizers dish out free samples to passersby at the Ribfest kick-off news conference.

It’s going to make for an interesting taste-off, Comuzzi said. Everyone has their own idea of what makes a great rib, he said.
“Coming from an Italian background, a slow, long cook and meat falling off the bone is what I like,” Comuzzi said.

“The OLG did a hell of a job on their ribs here today, but I’m not sure that’s their best product. I think they’re holding back on us and I think you’re going to see some pretty stiff competition come Ribfest weekend.”

The decision to add more local flavour into the mix was an obvious one, he added.

“We drive business in the downtown waterfront and we’re very proud of what’s happened downtown in the last four or five years. Last year’s RibFest was a great event, more popular than we anticipated and we think by incorporating more local flavour it will also increase those numbers this year as well.”

Talk about an unbridled success story.

Suzan Cooper-Rochon, head of the Waterfront BIA, said they were expecting 7,000 people to show up over three days. To their amazement, it was more like 25,000.

Cooper-Rochon said because of the crowd levels of a year ago, they’ve made a few changes in 2013 to help ease congestion.
“It was pretty overwhelming and we were really excited. But we’re ready for this year,” she said.

“We did have a request for more food. We did have a request for a bigger beer garden, which we do have this year. I just think it’s going to be a great event. And it’s a free community event and I think it’s important to give back.”

Each ribber will also have two service lines, which should cut down on wait times for hungry festival-goers.

The event will also feature celebrity chef Corbin Tomaszeski from Dinner Party Wars, Restaurant Takeover and Crash My Kitchen.

“It’s an honour to be part of such a delicious community event,” Tomaszeski said in a release. “I look forward to meeting Thunder Bay’s foodies and rib connoisseurs. I love talking cooking tips and techniques, and I encourage attendees to come with their questions and kitchen stories.”

Free musical entertainment and activities and games for kids of all ages will also be on hand when Ribfest kicks off on Aug. 23 on Park Avenue and Court Street. The event will also coincide with the Motors to Muscles fundraiser.

Participating local restaurants include Roosters Bistro, Getaway Restaurant, The Foundry, Gargoyles, Made Fresh, Thai Kitchen, Prospector, Portside, Sushi Bowl, Tony and Adams, Silver Birch and Bight.

Volunteers are still needed. Contact the Waterfront BIA for more information.