FireBoard Labs Aids 3rd Place Finish in Wild Game

In the world of competitive cooking, precision and consistency are key. For Ricky Albright, a passionate social media influencer cook and contender in the Birmingham Wild Game Cook-Off presented by the Alabama Wildlife Federation, these elements became his recipe for success. Amongst a crowd of 47 talented competitors, Ricky Albright emerged with a 3rd-place finish with his Alabama duck breast topped with blueberry jam dish. His secret weapon? The FireBoard Spark. 

The Birmingham Wild Game Cook-Off presented by the Alabama Wildlife Federation brings together family and friends for a night full of fun at the Birmingham Zoo.

The Alabama Wildlife Federation’s prestigious cook-off event draws hunters, grill masters, and food enthusiasts from all corners of the state. Participants compete for the coveted top spots by showcasing their skills in preparing dishes that include fish, fowl, and game that explode the taste buds of the judges and spectators.

Ricky prepped the duck breast dish with a special steakhouse blend of crushed rosemary, salt and pepper.

Ricky Albright attributes his impressive performance to our instant-read thermometer. The Spark allowed Ricky to maintain the perfect temperature for his mouthwatering Alabama duck breast topped with a blueberry jam. Duck, which is known for its delicate nature, requires precise cooking to achieve that ideal balance of tender meat and crispy skin.

Ricky cooked the dish for 3:15 minutes on the fat side and 2:00 minutes on the other side at 400 degrees.

I got the chance to dive into the insights of his duck cook, he mentioned, “I cooked them on a razor griddle, cross-scoring the fat and then avocado oil for a binder. I made a super simple special steakhouse blend of crushed rosemary, salt, and pepper. I cooked the breast for 3:15 minutes on the fat side and 2:00 minutes on the other side at 400 degrees.” Ricky’s precise, but simple cook earned him a 3rd place finish.

When cooking duck there is no room for error. Having the exact internal temperature is key when presenting your final dish to the judges.

Ricky Albright’s diligent approach involved cooking his duck to perfection at a specific temperature range of 126-128 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking duck has no margin for error, he mentioned “My duck temperature was extremely important. I needed it to be exactly between 126-128 degrees with a 15-minute rest.” This precise range ensured that the meat was cooked to the ideal level of doneness. Additionally, he allowed the duck to rest for 15 minutes, a crucial step in locking in juices and flavor. Ricky’s use of the FireBoard Spark guaranteed that he stayed within this narrow temperature window, preventing overcooking and undercooking. The result was a duck dish that was not only visually stunning but also bursting with flavor.

Photoshoot with the FireBoard Spark along side Ricky’s final dish, duck glazed with homemade blueberry jam.

Upon clinching 3rd place in the competition, Ricky Albright expressed his excitement to us immediately after the award. He exclaimed, “Thank you. Y’all are the best! The FireBoard Spark helped me win a trophy last night. My duck temperature was extremely important.” Ricky’s testimonial speaks volumes about the impact the FireBoard Spark had on his cook. The precision and accuracy offered by this device enabled him to elevate his skills and secure a podium finish.

Ricky and his team on the podium hoisting their third place finish in the fowl division.

Ricky Albright’s remarkable journey from a field of 47 competitors to a 3rd place finish in the Birmingham Wild Game Cook-Off is a testament to the importance of precision in the competition world. With the help of the FireBoard Spark, Ricky not only cooked his dish to perfection but also gathered well-deserved recognition for his talents. As we celebrate Ricky’s achievement, it’s clear that FireBoard Lab’s commitment to innovation and precision has once again played a major role in elevating competition success. The FireBoard Spark is not just a temperature monitoring device, it’s a tool that empowers competition-winning cooks like Ricky Albright to achieve excellence and secure their place among one of the best in the state.