From left: City of Center Council Member Howell Howard, Grand Champion Duane Anderson, Reserve Champion Robert Harris, and City of Center Mayor David Chadwick.
April 27, 2026 (Photo Album Coming Soon) - Bringing the heat and smoking the competition at the 2026 Grill Fest was head cooks Duane Anderson winning Grand Champion and Robert Harris coming in as Reserve Champion with only 1 point difference between the two teams.
Special appreciation to Tiffany Perrie who was the Judging Coordinator for the event.
Other awards earned during Grill Fest was Washer Pitching Champions, Ryan and Hannah Bailey, followed by second place team, David Davis and David Windham.
The 42 Tournament was an intense competition with final winners being Shelby Johnson and Olivia Johnson as Champions and 2nd place going to Roger and Karen Fancher.
The cook-off competition results were:
Overall Points Top Winners
Grand Champion - Duane Anderson (27 points)
Reserve Champion - Robert Harris (26 points)
Beans
1st place - Squeals on Wheels from Bardwell, Texas, head cook David Lefler
2nd place - Shelby Savings Bank from Center, Texas, head cook Robert Harris
3rd place - Caroline Chadwick, Farmers State Bank from Center, Texas, head cook Brian Dean
4th place - Tabitha Whitney, W&W Texas BBQ from Center, Texas, head cook Preston Whitney
Chicken
1st place - Real Smoke BBQ from Tenaha, Texas, head cook Duane Anderson
2nd place - Squeals on Wheels from Bardwell, Texas, head cook David Lefler
3rd place - Smokin Wrench BBQ from Moody, Texas, head cook Drake Braxton
4th place - Shelby Savings Bank from Center, Texas, head cook Robert Harris
5th place - Farmers State Bank from Center, Texas, head cook Brian Dean
6th place - Backyard Cookers from Tenaha, Texas, head cook Mahesh Galal
7th place - W&W Texas BBQ from Center, Texas, head cook Preston Whitney
Ribs
1st place - Squeals on Wheels from Bardwell, Texas, head cook David Lefler
2nd place - Shelby Savings Bank from Center, Texas, head cook Robert Harris
3rd place - Real Smoke BBQ from Tenaha, Texas, head cook Duane Anderson
4th place - Tabitha Whitney, W&W Texas BBQ from Center, Texas, head cook Preston Whitney
5th place - Jason Windham, Backyard Cookers from Tenaha, Texas, head cook Mahesh Galal
6th place - Smokin Wrench BBQ from Moody, Texas, head cook Drake Braxton
7th place - Farmers State Bank from Center, Texas, head cook Brian Dean
Brisket
1st place - Shelby Savings Bank from Center, Texas, head cook Robert Harris
2nd place - Real Smoke BBQ from Tenaha, Texas, head cook Duane Anderson
3rd place - Backyard Cookers from Tenaha, Texas, head cook Mahesh Galal
4th place - Farmers State Bank from Center, Texas, head cook Brian Dean
5th place - Smokin Wrench BBQ from Moody, Texas, head cook Drake Braxton
6th place - Squeals on Wheels from Bardwell, Texas, head cook David Lefler
7th place - W&W Texas BBQ from Center, Texas, head cook Preston Whitney
Margarita
1st place - Shawna Hall, Farmers State Bank, head cook Brian Dean
2nd place - Paige Hairgrove, Farmers State Bank, head cook Brian Dean
3rd place - Pam Howard, Shelby Savings Bank, head cook Robert Harris
Bloody Mary
1st place - Tabitha Whitney, W&W Texas BBQ, head cook Preston Whitney
2nd place - Caroline Chadwick, Farmers State Bank, head cook Brian Dean
Chefs Choice
1st place - Kay Lefler, Squeals on Wheels, head cook David Lefler
