CROWN POINT – Advantage Industrial Systems (AIS) claimed the coveted championship trophy at the Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable’s (NWIBRT) 2026 Smoke-Off Cook-Off, an annual celebration of barbecue, friendly competition and industry networking.
AIS’ Grecian Pulled Pork brought top honors with grill masters Michael Brennan and Dale Musick leading the championship-winning team. Throughout the afternoon, nine teams representing Northwest Indiana’s construction industry showcased their best smoked meats and signature sides while competing for judges’ awards and People’s Choice honors.
Held at Bulldog Park in Crown Point, the Smoke-Off Cook-Off has become one of NWIBRT’s signature events, bringing together contractors, suppliers, customers and industry partners for an afternoon of food, fellowship and networking. This year’s competitors prepared a wide range of smoked specialties, from traditional pulled pork and ribs to pierogi, brisket, wings and creative side dishes, giving attendees plenty of opportunities to sample the entries before casting their votes.
In addition to AIS, participating teams included:
Calumet Lumber, with grill masters Eric Suszynski and April Glueckert presenting Baby Back Ribs and Elote Corn.
The Baldwin Group, with grill masters Mike Grillo and Andy Peng presenting pork/chicken and smoked mixed-berry cobbler with smoked salt caramel.
ECS | Erosion and Construction Services, with grill master Patrick Meacham presenting pulled Pork Shoulder, deep-fried potato salad, and smoked cheese dip.
Bay Crane Midwest, with grill masters Dan Barton and Jake Bauer presenting smoked Pierogi and smoked sauerkraut.
American Testing Services(ATS), with grill masters Tony Morrison and Alex Smallman presenting pulled pork and ribs and beans.
Morrison Construction Company, with grill masters Rich Hays and Jennifer Hostetler presenting Lollipop Drumsticks.
Select Safety Services, with grill masters Rich Greene and Dave Bubica presenting smoked Brisket and Cowboy Beans.
Stevenson Crane, with grill masters Dustin Peters and Pete Moran presenting smoked Boomerang Wings and smoked macaroni and cheese.
“This industry appreciation event has become one of the events our members look forward to most each year because it combines friendly competition with the relationships that make our industry strong,” said Robert Joseph of ArcelorMittal USA Research and Chairman of NWIBRT. “Congratulations to all of our competitors, especially this year’s champion. The creativity, teamwork and sportsmanship on display made for another outstanding event.”
2026 NWIBRT Smoke-Off Cook-Off Winners
CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY
Advantage Industrial Systems (AIS)
- Grill Masters: Michael Brennan and Dale Musick
- Winning Dish: Grecian Pulled Pork
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
Best Meat
1st Place — Morrison Construction Company
- Grill Masters: Rich Hays and Jennifer Hostetler
- Winning Dish: Lollipop Drumsticks
2nd Place — American Testing Services (ATS)
- Grill Masters: Tony Morrison and Alex Smallman
- Winning Dish: Pulled Pork & Ribs
3rd Place — Stevenson Crane
- Grill Masters: Dustin Peters and Pete Moran
- Winning Dish: Smoked Boomerang Wings
Best Side
1st Place — American Testing Services (ATS)
- Grill Masters: Tony Morrison and Alex Smallman
- Winning Dish: Beans
2nd Place — The Baldwin Group
- Grill Masters: Mike Grillo and Andy Peng
- Winning Dish: Smoked mixed-berry cobbler with smoked salt caramel
3rd Place — Select Safety Services
- Grill Masters: Rich Greene and Dave Bubica
- Winning Dish: Cowboy Beans
JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARDS
Best Meat
1st Place — Advantage Industrial Systems (AIS)
- Grill Masters: Michael Brennan and Dale Musick
- Winning Dish: Grecian Pulled Pork
2nd Place — Bay Crane Midwest
- Grill Masters: Dan Barton and Jake Bauer
- Winning Dish: Smoked Pierogi
3rd Place — Morrison Construction Company
- Grill Masters: Rich Hays and Jennifer Hostetler
- Winning Dish: Lollipop Drumsticks
Best Side
1st Place — Stevenson Crane
- Grill Masters: Dustin Peters and Pete Moran
- Winning Dish: Smoked Macaroni and Cheese
2nd Place — American Testing Services (ATS)
- Grill Masters: Tony Morrison and Alex Smallman
- Winning Dish: Beans
3rd Place — Bay Crane Midwest
- Grill Masters: Dan Barton and Jake Bauer
- Winning Dish: Smoked Sauerkraut
