Firefighters from the nine West Palm Beach Fire Stations got together to challenge each other in the FIRST rib challenge. This epic challenge was hosted by The Butcher Shop, a 1920’s-era Airplane Hangar turned restaurant & beer garden, with a on-site butcher shop. The Butcher Shop is located at 209 6th St.

I was judging with T.A. Walker from Channel 5 and Reuben Dukes from AlphaMedia. I had the solemn duty to in partially judge all of these delicious ribs and I took my responsibilities seriously.

Watch T.A’s report.

Plate after plate of ribs and their associated came to the table and I judged from 1 to 10 on appearance, texture and taste. Knowing that I would never be able to eat a full 10 ribs and they were happy judge sized ribs I tried to just take a bite of each. But some were simply too good to not devour. 10 different sides going from the winning bacon on a stick two more traditional sides of beans coleslaw and mac and cheese.

The firefighters did not take this challenge lightly they all came up with their A-Game. But Firestation #9 took it to the next level bringing a mobile kitchen with where are they hand-torched each of the deliciously pepper glazed bacon sticks. Firestation #3 was fantastic with the meat falling right off the bones and I’ve got to say number two is my runner-up with their spicy rub and perfect smoke ring.

Big thanks to The Butcher Shop, my fellow Judges and most importantly all the Firefighters who work so hard every day.