Because my father raised me to believe that “9 out of every 10 creatures that have a face and a cousin are probably pretty tasty if you grill ’em,” I am the exact kind of carnivore that the Flame Fest Colorado Grilling Championship at RiNo Art Park on October 25th was made for.

And thankfully, promoter Drink Denver and all of the vendors exceeded every expectation.

The Vibes:

I have to admit, being greeted blocks away from the art park by giant plumes of smoke that would typically cause concern was a great introduction. Of course, the aromas of various grilling meats that shortly followed more than sealed the deal.

Yes, there were a ton of non-stop food and adult/virgin beverage options (more on that in a minute), but Drink Denver had enough foresight to include other businesses that represent the Denver metropolitan community at large.

These included HiJinx House Collective (and their Permanent Jewelry), a “21+ social sports club” (think pro-level beer pong) called Volo, and BFresh Gear, to name a few.

Also, to drive the grilling theme home, fire dancers “Vivan Angel” and “Butterflower” did two performances during the day.

And finally, guests received a commemorative Flame Fest glass, with some vendors handing out frisbees and other plate-like items with which to enjoy the many delicacies.

Speaking of …

 

Flame Fest Had The Meats:

Come on, when there’s literally a restaurant serving high-quality grilled and smoked meats every 10 feet or so, how can you not indulge past the point of better judgment?

Plus, with every vendor up for a “People’s Choice Award” at the end of the night, almost every one of them greeted you like they were a little Italian grandmother who’s worried you’re not eating enough.

Though this voting would include a number of different categories—i.e., pork, beef, chicken, etc.—I wanted to keep my list simple by focusing on the five best dishes I tried at the festival, overall.

With the full list of winners at the bottom, let’s see how I stand with the general consensus …

  1. Sugarfire Smoke House; North Carolina Pulled Pork and Pork Belly Slider with Coleslaw and a Pretzel Bun—by far the best thing I tasted all day. Both the belly and pulled pork were juicy, tender, and full of flavor … and by that I don’t mean drowned in sauce. The Carolina Gold sauce was tangy—a great pairing with the coleslaw—but never overpowered anything else. The coleslaw was bright and crunchy, and with the pretzel bun being like a giant pillow, it provided the needed texture. I’m not ashamed to admit I went back for this one multiple times.
  2. Heavenly Tacos; Surf and Turf Taco—with a heap of toppings that completely hid the corn tortilla, I dug into this taco with zeal. The skirt steak was tender and bursting with beefy goodness, and when paired with the chimichurri sauce and avocado, it had a richness that was impeccable. The radishes, onions, and cilantro brightness helped cut through some of this. With the shrimp grilled to perfection, I’m afraid that any taco trucks I visit in the near future that serve a variation of this surf and turf are at a huge disadvantage; Heavenly Taco‘s is second-to-none.
  3. American Elm; Espresso Cured Pork Loin with Creamed Spinach and Horseradish Parsnip Puree—pork loin is not an easy cut to cook to the perfect temperature, so kudos to American Elm for doing it so effortlessly! The puree was both creamy and spicy, and blended seamlessly with the creamed spinach. And that’s another element they nailed: the spinach. Sometimes the spinach gets hammered while the chef is trying to achieve the right consistency; American Elm has cracked the code, as the spinach was still bright and a little crunchy.
  4. Sol Mexican Cocina; Carne Asada with Grilled Vegetables—when I was first handed the Carne Asada from Sol, my heart sank; I was given the endcap piece from the beef loin. Known for being the toughest part of the loin (and easiest to overcook), I was stunned to find that not only was it perfectly medium, but it was incredibly tender. The veggies were grilled with a deft hand as well, and were the perfect sidekick to the meat. There were no crazy spices or loads of other seasonings everywhere, and that’s why it works. The Carne Asada made by Sol shows that you can take a few simple ingredients, cook them with care, and make something out of this world.
  5. A Bit Twisted Brewpub & BBQ; Pork Belly Cinnamon Roll Bites—to be honest, I thought I was going to hate this dish. I’ve never been a fan of candied bacon or the like—it’s always too sweet and sticky—so the thought of adding cinnamon to the mix did not initially appeal to me. I’ve never been this glad to be this wrong as this was the perfect dessert. Because the pork belly is braised in a savory liquid, and the icing is drizzled on at the end, the sugar is never overpowering. The initial pop of cinnamon and sugar would hit, but then it would quickly disappear into a smoky-savory profile. The belly was melt-in-your-mouth tender, but still retained enough texture to avoid becoming mushy. Though I’m still not 100% sold on candied bacon, I promise that I would NEVER pass up this pork belly.

 

Grüvi; Craft Non-Alcoholic Bubbly Rosé—as a designated driver, I was unfortunately unable to try the myriad of cocktails and beers available from producers like Breckenridge, 477 Distilling, Fuck Yes! Tequila, and Timnath Beerwerks, to name a few. However, I wanted to make mention of Grüvi as I thoroughly enjoyed their rosé. Crisp and refreshing, it held all the same trademarks of flavor as a traditional rosé—just with a little less bite. A beverage I will enjoy on the reg.

 

Final Thoughts:

By all metrics, The Flame Fest Colorado Grilling Championship was an unmitigated success—everyone left filled with food and smiles. Drink Denver parties offer some of the best food and drinks that can be found in the Centennial State, and Flame Fest definitely kept in that style.

Please, do yourself a favor and get on the Drink Denver mailing list. I promise that after one of their events, you’ll be hooked.

Flame Fest Official Winners:

“Judges’ Choice”

Beef—Uptown and Humboldt.

Chicken—Smoke and the City

Pork—American Elm

Best Bite—Urban Delight

“People’s Choice”

Best Bites—Bandwagon Sandwich

Best Beef—Viewhouse

Best Chicken—Red Rocks Chicken

Best Pork—A Bit Twisted BBQ & Brewpub

Best Brew—Black Shirt Brewery

Best Cocktail—Heavenly Tacos