Beef-A-Rama™ Roasting Competition
For 60 years Minocqua has partied until the cows came home! From the humble beginnings of Fish-O-Rama to the festival it is today, the tradition of cooking beef on the street has been a staple through it all.
Competition
Info
2025 Competition Winners
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CHARCOAL ROASTING GAS ROASTING WOOD ROASTING |
BEST SNACK BEST DRESSED STALL |
2025 Roasters
Adams of Hazelhurst – We’re excited to be back for our second-year roasting at Beef-A-Ramatm! We love this tradition because it brings the community together, lets us connect with great people, and celebrates everything that makes the Northwoods special. Adams has been proudly serving the Northwoods for over 35 years, providing electrical, generator, & solar solutions. We provide sales, installation, service, maintenance & 24/7 support all backed by integrity and a commitment to exceed our customers' expectations. Chef: Nathan Siclovan
Aquatic Plant Management (2024 Best Snack 3rd Place) - 10+ year roasters. Savings lakes one beef at time. Chef: Chef Tony
Associated Bank - Associated Bank has hosted the Beef Eating Contest for MANY years as our Beef-A-Ramatm tradition. This year, we have decided to graze in a different pasture as a new roaster! We look forward to joining our community businesses in this Northwoods tradition. Chef: Chef Kaylene
Bear Naked Technologies – Chef: John Eppes
Blue Lake Preservation Association - Beef-A-Ramatm is a wonderful community event. The residents of Blue Lake are honored to continue to be a part of it. Chef: Seth Libman
Isla Collective – Chefs: Dave Tomasiewicz & Father Brad
J.Christy's Boutique (2024 Charcoal Roaster 3rd Place) - This is our 29th year in business and we have not missed roasting at Beef-A-Ramatm once! It's a ton of work but a ton of fun! J.Christy's Boutique proud to be owned by a mother/daughter team, and with the help from some talented ladies in our family, this year, it's just us girls running the grill! Chefs: Kristi Bartelt, Kim Fricke, Megan Jensen
JJ's Acres (2024 Charcoal Roaster 1st Place) (2024 Best Dressed Stall 2nd Place) – JJ’s Acres has proudly showcased the Big Green Egg Smoker/Grill at Beef-A-Ramatm since 2015. Over the years, our roasts have made the podium nine times with four of those years earning the title of Charcoal Division Champion. But what matters most isn’t the list of wins, it’s the memories we’ve made at this beloved annual tradition & celebrating community, great food, laughter, and treasured time with family and friends. Here’s to Beef-A-Ramatm 2025! Chefs: Jack Jurries, Scott Robertson
Kathleen Thayer, Realtor – Chef: John Eppes
Lakeland Area Ducks Unlimited (2024 Gas Roaster 3rd Place) - This is our second year cooking at Beef-A-Ramatm ! We are local residents that have been attendingBeef-A-Ramatm for many years and we look forward to seeing all of our friends and local community at this fun event! Chef: Gunnar Dunbar
Lakeland ATV/UTV – Chef: Chris
Lakeland Rental Management - Lakeland Rental Management has been the premier rental property management company in the Northwoods for over 20 years. We proudly manage properties that celebrate rustic charm and rich heritage. Our commitment is to honor the timeless character of Northwoods cabins while providing modern, reliable service to our clients and guests. With over 165 long-term, short-term & vacation properties in our care our experienced team is dedicated to delivering worry-free rental management. Chef: Kaitlyn Kramer
Lakes Gas - This is our first year roasting in a competition, however, collectively we have been roasting for years and years. Being from the Minocqua area and enjoying this event growing up, now that we have the opportunity to have an open local business office in the community we wanted to be a part of serving and sharing our passion for roasting with those that are currently making memories. Chefs: Aaron Huizenga, Will Kunce
Lakeside Dock and Lift - We have been roasting for the last three years. We love seeing our customers and meeting new friends! Lakeside Dock And Lift is the number one dealer for Floe docks and boat Lifts in the United States. We are proud to serve Northern and Central Wisconsin for all waterfront needs. Chef: John Sylla
Lasier Realty Inc - This is our 2nd year participating in Beef-A-Ramatm as Lasier Realty. We loved joining the fun last year and knew right away it'd be a tradition. Beef-A-Ramatm is such a special event - the biggest day of the year in Minocqua, and it brings the whole community together in the best way. We’re proud to be part of that energy and celebrate alongside our neighbors, clients, and friends. At Lasier Realty, we’re all about helping people feel at home in the Northwoods! Chef: Nick Lasier
Minocqua Chevrolet - One of Beef-A-Ramatm’s Platinum Sponsors! We are excited that this will be our first year as Minocqua Chevrolet being a 100% locally owned dealership and our first year roasting in Beef-A-Ramatm. Chef: Bret Harrington
Minocqua Gun Club - For years, the Minocqua Gun Club’s involvement in Beef-A-Ramatm is more than just a tradition—it’s a point of pride and a meaningful way to stay connected with the Northwoods community. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), the club offers shooting sports, safety training, and education for all ages. It features public trap, skeet, and 5-stand facilities, plus members-only rifle and pistol ranges, all while fostering responsible firearm use and community engagement. Chef: Kurk Kohl
Minocqua Sauna - This will be our fourth year as a roaster in the gas division. Beef-A-Ramatm is the absolute best event for us to engage with the community as Minocqua Sauna and American Pond Hockey. We love celebrating the start of cold season with this bash! Minocqua Sauna specializes in short term mobile sauna rentals, long term sauna leases, and custom sauna builds in Minocqua and the surrounding area. Chef: Will Jeffery
Nicolet National Bank – Chef: Nathan Chartrand
Northern Hornshoe Trails - Snowmobile club 52 years old the major link between Lakeland area to Iron Co. Our club name states “northernhornshoe” which we are Northern club and Hornshoe is a type of rabbit that members couldn’t stop from getting in their garden -- kind of our logo ‘cause we are unstoppable. Chef: Jay Bollman
NorthStar Restoration Services (2024 Best Dressed Stall 3rd Place) (2024 Best Snack 1st Place) – Chef: Dave Warrick
Northwoods Ford - Northwoods Ford may be the new kid on the Beef-A-Rama block, but we’re fired up to bring the heat! Now in our second year in Minocqua, Northwoods Ford is the third dealership for owner Jose Cazares - though the Northwoods has quickly become his favorite. This is our very first year cooking at Beef-A-Ramatm, and Jose has tapped his Marketing Manager, Meagan, and her husband Jerry to run the grill. Jerry is a Navy veteran and former professional fine dining chef, so trust us - this isn’t his first rodeo. Chefs: Meagan & Jerry Walsh
Polar Bares - In 2018 I recruited my friends to help me enter the contest. I believe we were the first group to enter as individuals rather than a local business. We always have a lot of fun doing it. I love to share my wild game with people that have never tried it before! Chef: Bill Kubik
Redman Realty Group (2024 Wood/Smoke Roaster 3rd Place) - The #1 Brokerage in the Northwoods! We opened Redman Realty Group in 2011 and did our first year of beef roasting in that year's roasting competition. Ironically our booth's theme that year was Mardi Gras. So we've come full circle 14 years later. Redman Realty Group has a proven record for providing first class, professional service and getting results for our customers and clients. Our numbers speak for themselves. We look forward to seeing you all at our roasting booth this year!
Reed Building & Lakeland Disposal SWDC (2024 Best Snack 2nd Place) - Beef-A-Ramatm is one of our favorite days of the year! As local full-time residents in the Minocqua area, we have always enjoyed this event and supporting the Minocqua area. Reed Building and Lakeland Disposal are great family businesses that have served the area for decades. We love cooking in the street, celebrating beef and celebrating Minocqua every year! Chefs: Brigham Reed, Chad Metzger, Jason Talbot, Ryan Werkheiser
Ross Sportswear – Chef: Bill Ross
Sallet’s Northwoods Outfitters (2024 Wood/Smoke Roaster 2nd Place) - This will be our 8th year roasting. We have been roasting since we have been in business here in downtown Minocqua. We use the event as a customers, friends, and family appreciation day. We like to use the day as a thank you to our great customers for another fantastic summer/tourist season. Chef: Ron Nikolai
Shorewest Realtors - Shorewest Realtors is proud to be a part of the time honored Beef-A-Ramatm tradition and honored to be a member of the Minocqua Community! As Wisconsin's #1 Home Seller, Shorewest Realtors is dedicated to providing the best real estate experience for our buyers and sellers! Chef: TBD
Sunspace Minocqua – Chef: Chad Barthman
The Beacons of Minocqua – Chef: Mike Polich
Trig’s Minocqua – One of Beef-A-Ramatm’s Platinum Sponsors and the source of our Top Round Beef! Chef: Russell Hackworthy
True North Title - True North Title is excited to participate in the 60th annual Beef-A-Ramatm. At True North Title, we are committed to providing seamless, efficient real estate closings with integrity and professionalism. We have simplified the settlement process and FOCUS on building lasting relationships. Let us be your guiding compass in Wisconsin Real Estate! Chef: Michelle Nelson
Willow Creek Press - This is Willow Creek’s first year, but our Chef has competed numerous times in the past. Willow Creek is a family owned company that publishes calendars and planners. This is one of our favorite days, and Minocqua is our Birthday girl’s happy place! So excited!!!!! Chef: George Spathis
What Roasters Need to Know
Beef roasting is the heart of this event! Roasting Applications can be requested from the Visitors Bureau, typically around August 1st.
ROASTER - That’s you! A Business, Organization, or Individual responsible for setting up and decorating a Stall and cooking the provided beef Roast with your own grill.
ROAST - 10lbs of delicious USDA Choice Inside Top Round Roast beef provided by Trig’s, to be cooked the day of the event in your Roasting Stall. Roasts will be available for pickup from the Visitors Bureau prior to the event to be pre-seasoned or marinated.
ROASTING CATEGORY - Cook your Roast with Wood/Smoke, Charcoal, or Gas. The method must be chosen at time of application and cannot be changed. Each Category will be officially judged and awarded “Top All ‘Round” trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Judges score for Roast taste, appearance & texture. Availability of each Roasting Category is limited.
STALL - 10 ft x 10 ft assigned space on Oneida Street for the Roaster’s tent(s) and grill (you provide both). You may request a second adjacent Stall (for a total of 10 ft x 20 ft) to host a MAVB approved activity/event enhancement. We highly encourage themed decorations and creativity, as attendees will vote for their favorite Stall. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Stalls receive People’s Choice trophies, so effort is rewarded! We also strongly encourage you to dress to impress.
SAMPLES - Roasters may provide free cooked Samples of Roast to attendees! See important details about health & safety that must be followed in the Roasting Contract if you would like to give away Roast Samples.
SNACK - Optional but strongly recommended. The Snack is a secondary food item to accompany your Roast, provided free to attendees until gone (see health & safety rules in the Roasting Contract). 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place People’s Choice Snack trophies will be awarded to winners chosen by attendee votes, so plan to please that crowd!
ROASTER TIMELINE
FRIDAY - pick up your Roast at the Visitors Center between 10AM-3PM
SATURDAY
Before 7AM - Roasters may begin cooking on the Oneida Street (Main Street) sidewalk/parking stall adjacent to assigned Stall space
7AM - Oneida Street closure. Roasters must be present and ready to set up before this time. Setup of Stall in center of street may begin
9AM - Start of event; attendee foot traffic begins
10AM - Beer Gardens open
11AM-3PM - Official Roast judging at assigned times
3PM - People’s Choice voting (via phone app) is closed
3:30PM - Top All ‘Round Winner and People’s Choice Stall and Snack award ceremony at Main Stage
4PM - Stall takedown
5PM - Oneida Street reopens to vehicle traffic
Roasting
Application
2026 Roaster Registration opens in August
30+ Competitors Face Off at the Beef-A-Rama™ Roasting Competition.
