Meet the Judges of Mission Ribfest 2024!

We are thrilled to introduce the esteemed panel of judges for this year’s Mission Ribfest! Each of our judges brings a unique background and a shared passion for BBQ, ensuring that the competition will be fierce and the ribs will be judged by the best of the best. Plus, there’s still an opportunity for you to join them as our community judge! Read on to learn about our panel and how you can enter for a chance to be part of this exciting event.

Matthew Bruinink

Matthew Bruinink handles customer relations and community events for Johnston’s Pork. He’s also on the board of directors for The BC Meat Association and on the planning committee for the annual B.C. Best Butcher Challenge. Although Matthew enjoys all meat festivals and BBQ competitions, he has a quirky phobia of getting food on his hands! His co-workers, friends, and family find this particularly amusing given his profession. Despite this, Matthew is never far from a knife and fork or a boatload of napkins, ready to enjoy the finger-licking food at every event. 

Aaron Hiebert

Aaron Hiebert, a long-time Fraser Valley resident and owner of Groundforce Performance, has called Mission home for 17 years. He’s a staunch supporter of MY House Mission and a BBQ aficionado with numerous Ribfest attendances to his name. When he’s not behind the grill, Aaron loves exploring the local outdoors through hiking, canoeing, camping, snowboarding, ATVing, and 4x4ing. His extensive experience in preparing BBQ for friends and family makes him a valuable addition to our judging panel.

Manny Deol 

Manny Deol is a lifelong Mission resident and real estate agent known for his enthusiastic community involvement. Manny’s love for food and deep connection to Mission make him an excellent judge for Ribfest. Follow him on Instagram (@mannydeolrealestate) and Facebook (Manny Deol Personal Real Estate Corporation) to stay updated on his adventures.

Jag Gill

Jag Gill has served as a City Councillor in Mission since 2018. He started his journey with Mission City Pizza in high school and became the youngest Councillor in 2018, bringing enthusiasm and dedication to his role. As a proud member of the Rotary and an active volunteer, Jag enjoys giving back to his community. In his free time, he loves hiking with his puppy, Kobe, relaxing with a good book, or enjoying good food with his wife. Jag’s dedication to improving Mission and his love for great food make him an ideal Ribfest judge.

Vik Gill

Vik Gill is a local business owner  of the Fitness Lab and a father of one. His favourite hobbies include working out, staying active with seasonal sports, and, of course, eating! Vik’s passion for fitness and food makes him a well-rounded judge for our event.

Ryan Smith