- December 17, 2025
Ormond Beach resident Anthony Scaggs lifts the lid off his grill to showcase the smoking meat. He said his wife, Martha Scaggs, is a gourmet-trained chef, but his job is cooking the barbecue meat. Photo by Paige Wilson
Crabby Chris Beachside BBQ and Sweets owners, Kari Little and Chris Horton, give Ormond Beach resident Carol Akers a taste of their barbecue. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ormond Beach resident Martha Scaggs slices freshly cooked barbecue. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ormond Beach residents Chris Jones, Sam Thomas and Bill Thompson stand by their grill. Thompson said the secret to his backyard barbecue is in his wife's recipe. Photo by Paige Wilson
Anthony and Martha Scaggs offer up their barbecue creations to Ormond-By-The-Sea resident Carol Abele (left). Photo by Paige Wilson
Ormond Beach resident Jeremy Miller (left) talks about his family's barbecue creations. Photo by Paige Wilson
Eight local vendors lined the parking lot at Ormond Beach Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Oct. 14, as hungry guests piled into the church hall ready to feast on smoked, savory barbecue creations.
Patty Thomas, cochair event coordinator at the church, said the church deacons came up with the idea for a cook-off when brainstorming for this year’s fall fundraiser.
Thomas said the church hopes to raise at least $700 from admissions to the cook-off to buy a new dishwasher, utensils and faucets for the church. She said that if more is raised, the money will help Family Renew Community and other local organizations.
"I think it's wonderful," Thomas said. "We've been working for days. It's a great experience. I'm overwhelmed by the number of people here."
She said the church sold about 300 tickets in advance for the cook-off. Three anonymous judges will choose first, second and third place, as well as honorable mention. Cash prizes will be given to the winners.
Thomas thinks the church will hold another cook-off next year.
Ormond Beach Presbyterian Church will also be holding a Trunk or Treat at 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at 105 Amsden Road. For more information, call 441-0300 or visit ormondbeachpc.org.
