World class BBQ has arrived in Sonoma County. The proof was in the mouth watering ribs, pork, and brisket served at the second annual Wine Country Big Q competition on Saturday July 14, 2012 in Santa Rosa, CA.

Competitors from all over the US converged on spacious infield at Sonoma Academy to compete in 6 categories. And the beneficiaries were the lucky attendees who sampled those masterpieces until they could sample no more.

If you love BBQ, and you weren't at the Big Q, be sure to circle your calendar for next July. You don't want to miss this again.

BBQ entry ready for judging. Photo by Brad Parrett

After an entree or two, you could then wash down the delicious BBQ with ice cold micro brewery beer or from a wide selection of Sonoma County wines. Music filled the air from two excellent bands: local here Pete Stringfellow and Paulies Garage. They really got the crowd going.

Photo by Derrick Story. Click on images for larger versions.

Local businesses were behind the Big Q too with support from G&G Supermarkets, Johnson Pool & Spa, Niman Ranch, American Lamb, CA Pork Producers, Froggy 92.9, The River 97.7, Stella Artois, KSRO 1350, City of Santa Rosa, and Manly Auto.

Photo by Mike Kallenbaugh

But the real stars of the event were the cooks who prepared amazing BBQ for all to enjoy. They began setting up on Friday afternoon and slow cooked their prize winning entries all through the night.

Photo by Jim Pletcher

Photography coverage was provided by a team of six shooters from The Digital Story. Photographers on site were Brad Parrett, Mike Kallenbaugh, Jim Pletcher, Ernesto Pono, Grace Cheung Schulman, and Derrick Story. You can see their gallery of images from the 2012 Wine County Big Q online.

Photo by Grace Cheung Schulman

As for me... I'm already wishing I had a few of those tender ribs stashed in my refrigerator. I guess I'm just going to have to wait for next year's competition.

"The Night Before." Photo by Ernesto Pono.