Saturday, May 25, 2013

Third Annual Fire Fighter Q Off (San Antonio, TX)

I had the honor of being a judge for the first two Fire Fighter Q Offs and had a wonderful time. I was invited to judge again this year but will not be in Texas on the day of the event. Hopefully, I will be able to return as a judge next year! Regardless, the Third Annual Fire Fighter Q Off is Sunday, June 2, from 2-5:30 PM at Q on the Riverwalk, inside the Hyatt Regency San Antonio. Here's the press release:


SAN ANTONIO, TX (May 24, 2013) – Only one thing can match the heat of summer:  the sizzle of Q on the Riverwalk as San Antonio firefighters step into the flames and compete in the ultimate barbeque throwdown during the Third Annual Firefighter Q Off on Sunday, June 2nd from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Q on the Riverwalk, located inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Q Off pits teams of firefighters from the San Antonio Fire Department against each other as they rely on their surefire recipes and grilling expertise to fight for the title during the Iron Chef-style competition. Hoping to impress the panel of celebrity judges—as well as win the popular vote—each team will create a barbeque entrée using the recipe they submitted to enter the contest. Dave Rios of KONO 101 FM will emcee the battle, keeping the crowd in the know as the teams battle the flames.

“We like to say that the secret ingredient in everything we do at Q is love. Watching these firefighter teams work, you can tell they do the same—they create terrific dishes to share with their fellow firefighters every day. Seeing the fire professionals work to tame the flames during the Q Off is fun—they really know their way around a grill and the recipes they submit for the competition are top-notch,” says Q Executive Chef David Wirebaugh. Q’s new summer menu spotlights urban Texas barbeque, featuring earthy, downhome, old-time Texas-fired cuisine, as well as ingredients that are truly Texas, sourced as close to San Antonio as possible for the best flavor possible.

Admission to Fire Fighter Q Off is open to the public and is free, though donations to the Texas Burn Survivor Society are encouraged. Proceeds from limited edition Firefighter Q Off aprons and raffle ticket sales also benefit the society. The Hyatt Regency is donating five percent of proceeds from Q’s dinner service during the month of June to further support the society as well.

In addition to the celebrity judging, there’s also a popular vote competition:  the team receiving the most popular votes will also take home a prize, so be sure to come support your favorite team and taste some great barbeque so you can declare your favorite dish.  And while you can help one of the teams claim a prize, you can also claim a prize yourself:  Q Off features terrific raffle items up for grabs, including a night’s stay at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio, a top of the line Weber Genesis E-310 Gas Grill, dinner for 2 at Q, Grill tools, gourmet gift basket from Q, and more.

The winning Q Off team will receive a grand prize to include: a complementary weekend stay at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio for each team member and lunch catered by Q on the Riverwalk at the team’s firehouse. The winning team members of the popular vote will each receive a gift certificate to Q on the Riverwalk.

While the firefighters display their grill skills, the family-friendly event will feature Sparky the Firedog sharing his tips for fire safety and kids can try firefighter helmets, suits and boots on for size and while checking out an antique fire truck. Kids can also pose as firefighters and have their pictures taken in front of the fire truck. Kai the Arson Dog will also be on hand to meet and greet little firefighters.

Q Off is an afternoon of fun and fabulous flavors, but the event has a serious message:  fire safety and prevention. “The last thing anyone wants at a summer cook-out is an accident. There are simple things we can all do to keep ourselves, our families and our guests safe. Cooking outdoors is traditional summer fun, but we have to be careful, especially in our water-thirsty area. Be mindful of red flag warnings and make sure your flames stay inside your barbeque pit—one mistake could cause a grass or structure fire,” says Hyatt Director of Sales and Marketing Kyle Stevens. “Q Off is a great reminder that we can enjoy firing up the grill and be safe at the same time.”

When you’re making your preparations for a great cook-out, make grilling safety one of your ingredients for success:
  • Review the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions before using your grill.
  • NEVER use gasoline to start your cooking fire!
  • Make sure the grill is clean. Burnt on food and leftover grease are fire hazards.
  • Be sure the grill is located in a safe area. Keep clear of trees, wooden fencing or low hanging eaves. And never barbecue on balconies of multistory buildings!
  • Always have a method to extinguish the fire in case it gets out of control. Close the lid or have a fire extinguisher, bucket of sand or water hose close to the grill. It’s always best to plan for safety.
  • Use utensils with long handles (18 inches or longer is best) that do not conduct heat.
  • Protect your family: keep children and pets away from the grilling area and don’t leave the fire unattended.

Q Off Schedule of Events

2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.  Exploring Barbecue and Fire Safety
  • Firefighter Q Off teams prepare for the barbeque throwdown
  • Q Off audience cast votes for the People’s Choice Award
  • Antique fire truck tours
  • Fire safety demonstrations from Sparky and his team along with kid-friendly giveaways
  • Limited edition Firefighter Q Off apron, cookbook and raffle sales inside Q to benefit the Texas Burn Survivor Society

4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Heat it Up Competition
  • Firefighter Iron Chef-style competition behind Q’s wall of fire

5:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Q Off Judging Panel
  • Celebrity judging
  • Presentation of winning trophy and prizes
  • Announcement of raffle and additional prize winners

Q is located on the street level of Hyatt Regency San Antonio at 123 Losoya Street, and is open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Q offers dinner service Tuesday thru Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

About Texas Burn Survivor Society

Following an Army helicopter crash in 1959 that left David Jayne critically injured, he and his wife Jane Jayne founded the Texas Burn Survivor Society to help mentor burn patients undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at Brook Army Medical Center’s Burn Unit. Through various ministries, the Society assists not only patients, but family members, in transitioning back to living fulfilling lives.  

“Our mission is about turning victims into survivors,” Executive Director Sue Dodson says.
Programs and services include: Camp David, a weeklong camp that introduces coping skills to pediatric burn survivors and their siblings; Mosaic Table Project, helping wounded warriors with compromised hand dexterity create unique crafts; emergency financial assistance for food and transportation as well as physician-prescribed pressure garments essential for scar management.www.texasburnsurvivors.org.

About Hyatt Regency
Hyatt Regency San Antonio is one of the Alamo City’s most luxurious downtown hotels. The AAA Four Diamond property is uniquely situated on the famous San Antonio Riverwalk with a premier view of the historic Alamo, connecting two of the city’s top destinations through the hotel’s 16-story atrium lobby. Guest can enjoy unsurpassed Hyatt service and amenities from swimming in the heated rooftop pool indulging in the pampering services of the DASA spa or exercising in the 24-hour Stayfit gym. Texas-style cuisine and stylishly chic guest rooms make Hyatt Regency one of San Antonio’s premier destination hotels. For more information and reservations, visit www.hyattregencysanantonio.com or call 210-224-1234.

For More Information:

Kyle Stevens                                     Valerie Grant
Grand Hyatt San Antonio                    The CE Group, Inc.    
Phone: 210-451-6410                         Phone: 210-410-9898
kyle.stevens@hyatt.com                    Valerie@cegroupinc.net

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