Del Rio Culinary Teams Earn Top-10 Finishes, Middle School Advances to State

San Felipe Memorial Middle School's Smokin' Broz earned a state finals berth in their debut season, capping a strong showing by Del Rio culinary programs at the Central Catholic regional barbecue competition in San Antonio on Monday.

The Smokin' Broz placed sixth in grilled cheese and eighth in Dutch oven cake to secure their qualification for the state finals, scheduled for May 1 and 2 in Burnet. It was the team's first year of competition.

"I'm pleased to announce that our newest team from San Felipe Memorial Middle School, the Smokin' Broz, have advanced to state," said Chef Adan Cortez, Del Rio's culinary arts instructor. "All of our Del Rio teams did great today. Now we head home to rest and recoup before we get into fundraising for our state bids."

The Smokin' Broz were one of five Del Rio teams competing across three schools Monday. Del Rio Middle School sent its Blue Crew, while Del Rio High School fielded three squads: Sparkle & Smoke, Rib Ticklers, and Smokin' Queens. Together they competed in five categories: grilled cheese, ribeye, Dutch oven cake, chicken lollipops, and ribs.

DRHS Sparkle & Smoke recorded the highest single-category finish among all Del Rio entries, taking fourth place in Dutch oven cake. The DRMS Blue Crew followed in fifth in that same category, with DRHS Rib Ticklers seventh and the Smokin' Broz eighth.

In grilled cheese, DRHS Smokin' Queens led Del Rio with a fifth-place finish. The Smokin' Broz placed sixth, DRHS Rib Ticklers seventh, and DRMS Blue Crew eighth.

The Blue Crew accumulated finishes across every category, placing sixth in ribs, eighth in ribeye, and eighth in chicken lollipops, adding up to a sixth-place finish in the overall team standings. The DRHS Smokin' Queens, who also placed seventh in both chicken lollipops and ribs, finished ninth overall.

Cortez said the program continues to grow and thanked parents and community supporters for backing the teams. With the Smokin' Broz headed to Burnet in six weeks, the program will shift next to fundraising to cover the costs of the state trip.