Shane’s Rib Shack, a Petrus Brands Company, announced that Gidget Gorgone has been named the winner of the “Ultimate BBQ Side Contest Cook-Off Challenge.” The Challenge took place August 31 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Shane’s Rib Shack Cumberland Pointe location in Atlanta. The three finalists prepared and presented their dishes to a panel of celebrity judges. As the Judges Panel Winner, Gorgone receives a Big Green Egg grill (valued at approximately $1,200), BBQ grilling supplies, and her Dirty Country Taters recipe will appear on the Original Shack’s menu for a limited time this fall.

Shaniacs from across the nation posted their favorite side recipe dishes on Facebook during the month of July. On August 10, Shane announced the top three finalists via video message on Facebook: Gidget Gorgone of Atlanta with her Dirty Country Taters; Mary Souto of McDonough, Georgia, with her Redneck Caviar; and Niki Miraglia of Atlanta with her Barbequed Potato Salad.

A panel of celebrity judges, including Dave Archer, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback and color analyst for The Falcons Radio Network; Dennis Scott, former NBA star and Georgia Tech All-American and radio analyst for the Atlanta Hawks and NBA Network; and Shane Thompson, commissioner of BBQ and founder of Shane’s Rib Shack, judged the competition. The judging was based on taste (50 percent of overall score), recipe uniqueness and how it compliments the Shane’s Rib Shack menu (25 percent of overall score), and ease of preparation and presentation (25 percent of overall score).

“I am so incredibly excited to be the Shane’s Side Recipe Contest Judges Panel Choice winner,” Gorgone says. “I cannot believe I not only won a Big Green Egg grill, but my Dirty Country Taters recipe is going to be featured on Shane’s Original Shack menu. This is truly a dream come true for me.”

“I want to congratulate all three of the finalists on their fantastic side dishes,” Thompson says. “Declaring the Judges Panel Choice winner was a tough decision, but Gidget’s Dirty Country Taters stood out and will be a great complement to the Original Shack menu.”

Fans also had a chance to vote on Facebook for their favorite recipe that they would like to see on the menu. Souto won the Fan’s Choice Poll with her Redneck Caviar recipe. As the Fan’s Choice Winner, Souto won a Big Green Egg grill and barbecue supplies from Shane’s.