Beyond the Badge

SATF hosts second Barbecue Brawl competition

Correctional officer grills chicken during the second Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison (SATF) Barbecue Brawl in Corcoran, California, on Nov. 14, 2025.
A little rain didn't stop SATF staff from putting their best bites on the plate for the second Barbecue Brawl.

The Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran (SATF) held their second staff Barbecue Brawl competition.

Despite rain, the Nov. 14 event saw staff from different areas of the institution sign up to compete.

Barbecue-brawling teams were allowed to use any available smoker, flat-top grill, or regular grill to cook their best barbecued meals. Entries were judged on flavor, presentation, and creativity.

While the main courses had to be cooked on-site, side dishes and sauces could be prepared at home.

SATF Barbecue Brawl judging panel.
Judging panel.

The judging panel consisted of SATF Warden Morales, Chief Deputy Warden Jones, and Executive Assistant N. Pendergrass as well as Region III team Capt. J. Farley, Lt. N. Diaz, and Correctional Counselor II T. Clayton. Dishes were presented to the judging panel as blind taste tests.

Second watch Barbecue Brawl winners.
Second watch winners.

Winners for second watch were the returning champs from the Inmate/Ward Labor program led by Correctional Officers J. Arrellano and R. Villareal. Their fall-off-the-bone ribs and shrimp skewers were a hit with the judges.

Barbecue brawl SATF third watch winners.
Third watch winners.

Third watch winners included Facility A Lt. R. Ornelas and Officers M Hyatt, R. Estrada, E. Castro and G. Geels. Their quesadilla smash burgers took home a win.

According to organizers, there were no first watch participants.

Submitted by Lt. K. Cade


Follow CDCR on YouTubeFacebookX (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.

See more stories highlighting CDCR/CCHCS staff.

Follow CDCR on YouTubeFacebookX (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.

Related content

Special Olympics athlete and CDCR/CCHCS runners carry flags during the Capitol leg of the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Watch: 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run rallies in Sacramento

The final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Northern California received a ceremonious sendoff from CDCR…

Woman smiling while carrying the torch.

Staff carry torch across California for Special Olympics

Across California, CDCR and CCHCS staff proudly carried the Special Olympics Flame of Hope during the Law Enforcement Torch Run.…

California Men's Colony Honor Guard members stand in a line at the Memorial Wall ceremony, May 29, 2026, San Luis Obispo, California.

CMC honors 12 fallen staff added to Memorial Wall

California Men’s Colony (CMC) held its annual ceremony to honor 12 fallen staff members whose names were formally added to…

kern Valley State Prison leadership at the Nurses Week 2026 celebration. Shown in the photo are the Warden, CEO, Associate Warden of Health Care Access, the Health Care Access captain, Director of Nursing, and Chief Nurse Executive.

Kern Valley State Prison celebrates Nurses Week 2026

Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) in Delano recently celebrated Nurses Week 2026 with food, fun and entertainment. According to organizers,…

Parole instructors and Basic Correctional Officer Academy staff collaborated to hold a staff wellness and fitness event at the track at the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in Galt.

Academy holds friendly staff wellness competition

Staff from the CDCR Academy and the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) Division Training Unit came together for a…

A staff member enjoys a break with a horse during a CCWF mental health awareness event.

CCWF staff focus on mental health awareness

Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla hosted a special May 12 mental health event for staff in partnership with…