Moraga Fires Up for the Rib Throwdown! 

More than 400 guests filled Canyon Club Brewery on August 29 for the second annual Moraga Rib Throwdown, a lively community barbecue competition benefiting the Moraga Education Foundation (MEF).

Four Bay Area barbecue crews—Heads & Tails Barbecue, MexiQ, Slow Hand BBQ and Bad Bears BBQ—put their ribs to the test as guests sampled the entries and cast their votes. Bad Bears BBQ was named the 2026 Rib Throwdown Champion by a panel of judges, while Slow Hand BBQ earned the People’s Choice award.

The afternoon featured food from Ofa’s Island BBQ, sides from Moraga’s Live Oak Grilling, games, local vendors and performances by Lamorinda Idol, the Bohrer Brothers Trio and Deuce Eclipse.

Organized by Moraga resident Jon Ruiz, the event raised more than $10,000 for MEF in support of Moraga’s five public schools.