Garry Howard from The Smoke Ring and America's Chef Gorilla cooking ribs

On Sunday, February 13, 2011, I had the privilege and pleasure of joining the guys from America's Chefs to cook for the troops at the Borinquen Coast Guard Air Station in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. America's Chefs is a group of restaurant owners who donate their time travelling around and doing events for the troops. Before the trip to Puerto Rico, they were in Guantanamo Bay and will soon be going to Iraq and Afghanistan. The chefs seem to enjoy themselves and are a group of wild and crazy guys.

The visit was hosted by the Caribbean BBQ Association. We had Gorilla from Gorilla Barbeque Restaurant in Pacifica, CA, Stretch from Grinders Pizza in Kansas City, Hodad from Hodad's Burger Shack in Ocean Beach, CA, and Panini Pete from Panini Pete's Cafe in Fairhope, AL on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. We cooked ribs on the Caribbean BBQ Association's Peoria Custom Cooker smoker. Hodad grilled up his famous burgers. Stretch made mahi-mahi fish tacos, and Panini Pete made, what else, paninis. We fed 250 Coast Guard staff and their families. Entertainment was provided by the Jaksonville Cougars cheerleaders and Phil Stacey from the 6th season of American Idol.

It was a great experience, and a lot of fun. I hope to get a chance to work with these guys again in the future. They provide a great service to our troops. Click the link below for more pictures from the event.