Award-winning pit master coming to Blaine

A new event being organized by the Blaine Chamber of Commerce will feature food prepared by an award-winning pit master.

Blaine Surf and Turf by the Sea will take place on Saturday, September 14 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the G Street Plaza in downtown Blaine.

The event will feature food prepared by Christopher McBride, who has been barbecuing as a hobby for 45 years and has competed in barbecue competitions for the past 15 years.

McBride has won several awards, including an award for his honey garlic pepper BBQ sauce. He regularly barbecues for fundraisers at service clubs. Although he lives in North Vancouver, he has a house in Birch Bay and has been eager to serve food locally.

“Over the years, I have probably barbecued 1,000 barons of beef and 350 whole hogs,” he said.

For the Surf and Turf event, McBride will be barbecuing salmon and pulled pork. Fish and chips will also be on the menu.

For $20, attendees can choose two proteins, with proceeds benefitting the chamber and the Healthy Youth Coalition.

Attendees can choose to sit in either the beer garden or a family-friendly seating area. Entertainment will be provided by Cosmic Sauce, a dynamic nine-piece group that will play from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Accompanied by Sharon Mayson, Silver City Band will take the stage from 2:30 to 5 p.m.

Donna Raimey, program and events coordinator for the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, said the event will hopefully become an annual tradition. In the future, she envisions it becoming a barbecue competition with multiple pit masters squaring off against each other.