Art Thornton and the Shore Smokers barbecue team had a sixth-place overall finish in the 2025 Gaff-n-Grill competition and placed third in the mystery meat (pork belly) category.
The Gaff-n-Grill has been a component of the weekend-long Gaff-n-Go Rodeo for a number of years. The event is billed as the premier utility barbecue competition on the East Coast.
Teams compete in a number of categories including pulled pork, pork ribs, a mystery meat (a category that is announced on site at meat pickup) and an “anything but butts” category that can include desserts, sides or anything other than a traditional barbecue main dish.
The Shore Smokers team was comprised of Art and his wife, Laura, along with Shawn and Melissa Hildebrand.