Recently, OM Welder Carl Fleming and OM Paintline Attendant Jesus Ortiz Rodriguez competed in Local 3’s BBQ Competition at Union Hall.
Fleming said that he saw a flyer for the event in the North Plant breakroom and decided to partner up with Ortiz Rodriguez. The two competed against nine other teams, preparing wings and ribs. Prior to this year, Fleming had never competed in a Barbeque Competition.
“My mother-in-law said, ‘before I die, I want you to get in on a barbeque contest because I think you’ll win!’” Fleming joked.
For event, teams of two were supplied with five racks of ribs and 20 pounds of wings to cook. Many teams brought trailers and several types of smokers such as Traeger electric smokers. “I was pretty intimidated because I showed up with a couple 22-inch Weber grills,” Fleming said.
He prepared the ribs the day before, cutting them Saint Louis style and applying a mustard binder. Additionally, he used a basic rub which consisted of chili powder, paprika, garlic salt, pepper and more.
As for the special sauce, Fleming added honey and brown sugar to a local barbeque sauce he bought at a farmer’s market, “everybody was going crazy over that sauce.”
Fleming and Ortiz Rodriguez successfully completed the competition, winning first place in chicken and second place in ribs. The pair were awarded Local 3 2025 branded spatulas.
No stranger to winning competitions, Fleming has taken part in pumpkin growing contests in past years. The largest pumpkin he has harvested weighed 680.5 pounds. He plans to compete in future BBQ competitions to continue his winning streak.