Ilani BBQ Fest: Food, Flames, and Fun
Ilani BBQ Festival 2023 Event Recap Video
A three-day event is quickly becoming one of the most magnificent food-focused festivals in the nation. I am talking about the 2nd annual Ilani BBQ Fest at the Ilani Casino Resort in beautiful Ridgefield, Washington. Just thirty minutes north of Portland, Oregon, this three-day festival offers fun, food, and flavor, while boasting some of the best celebrity chefs from across the country.
All this takes place in the heart of the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, the perfect backdrop for an amazing summer festival. Join me as I take you behind the scenes of an unforgettable experience at the Ilani BBQ Fest.
The Ilani BBQ Fest presents itself as one that is full of flames and flavor, but I can personally tell you there is so much more. Festival-goers are offered an unforgettable experience of food, cooking demonstrations, barbecue competitions, and private meet-and-greet events. The festival also offers the experience of meeting some of your favorite celebrity chefs. These include Jet Tila, Michael Symon, Kevin Bludso, Rasheed Philips, and many more.
The demos put on by the celebrity chefs are one of the hallmarks of this festival. Each chef takes the stage to demonstrate how they prepare one of their signature dishes while the amazing Ilani event staff serves the crowd samples. But this is only part of the showcase! These demos are accompanied by the chefs fully engaging with the enthralled attendees in the crowd.
Whether it be Jet Tila pumping up the crowd, Demaris Phillips grabbing three attendees to join her in a dance number, or Big Kev Bludso and Rasheed Philips hopping down from the stage to serve the crowd with food and hugs, the show goes much further than a culinary demonstration.
Some other standout moments included Rocco DiSpirito getting down on one knee after being serenaded by one of the event emcees, Deanna Colón, aka Deanna Bombchica, and Jet Tila entertaining the crowd with stories showcasing his love of his Thai cuisine and heritage.
Celebrity chef demos are only a small part of the Ilani BBQ Fest experience. The festival also boasts an amazing atmosphere during the Party with the Pitmasters event and two new additions – The Lady Pitmaster Poolside Party and BBQ, Bubbles, Beer, and Bloody Brunch. The former is an evening poolside party where attendees can get loose and have a blast with their closest friends. Attendees were treated to a poolside bar, more celebrity chef meals, and a night of dancing.
We were even surprised by a talented synchronized swim team who made their way into the water to entertain the crowd.
After a night of partying, the Bloody Brunch events were a little more relaxed, offering festivalgoers a smorgasbord of brunch options served by Christina Fitzgerald, Rocco DiSpirito, Big Kev Bludso, Rasheed Philips, and many others. Of course, a brunch isn’t truly a brunch without bloody marys, mimosas, and an assortment of options from the local Voodoo Donuts.
Now, let me talk about how wellrun this festival was. As someone who has documented many festivals over the last few years (even the last few months), Ilani BBQ Fest is at the top of my list when it comes to organization. The crew at Ilani and 360 Marketing and Events improved on a great experience the previous year.
Not only did events run on time, but as issues arose, they were quickly dealt with by the event staff. As always, the Ilani kitchen staff were the unsung heroes who ensured the cooks had everything they needed. Shout out to Tammy, who kept spirits high in the kitchen, even breaking out some dance moves along the way.
Michael and Cheney of 360 Marketing were on their toes throughout the event to ensure chefs were ready to go onstage, events were ready when the doors opened, and logistical issues were squared away, ensuring the chefs had what they needed. All of their work led to what I believe is one of the best new food festivals around.
The Ilani BBQ Festival delivered an exceptional experience filled with delectable food, lively entertainment, and a vibrant atmosphere. Set against the stunning Pacific Northwest backdrop at the Ilani Casino Resort, this three-day event exceeded expectations. The engaging demonstrations by celebrity chefs brought the festival to life, going beyond culinary expertise to create an entertaining spectacle. With remarkable organization and unsung heroes behind the scenes, the festival ran seamlessly. Attendees reveled in the festival's enjoyment, forging lasting memories. As we bid farewell, anticipation builds for future editions as the Ilani BBQ Fest continues to impress and evolve. It has firmly established itself as one of the premier food festivals to experience.
