Bob Hovish, known as Border Bob in Bonners Ferry,  took first place in the barbecue pork ribs category at the Pacific Northwest BBQ cook-off in Coeur d’ Alene on Fathers Day.

Twenty-nine teams showed up for the event coming from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Canada, many of them seasoned pitmasters.

Hovish’s team members are his wife, Finney, his brother Charles LaBuz of Prescott Ariz., and  friend, Billie Warwick, of Bonners Ferry.

“My specialty is actually brisket, but it rained cats and dogs all night,  my brisket came out as an 8 rather than the usual 10,” Hovish said.

The categories at this yeas PNBA cook-off beef brisket, pork shoulders, chicken, and pork ribs.

Hovish came to Bonners Ferry in a transfer from the U.S. Border Patrol in El Paso, Tex., in 2002.  He retired from the border patrol in 2008 and turned in his handcuffs for a pair of tongs and barbecue brush.

This was the first year he participated in the PNBA cook-off and will attend another cook-off in Stephensville, Mont., at the end of July.

One of the favorites of the locals are his pulled  pork sandwiches which you can enjoy at the Boundary County Fair each year.

Hovish is also a practicing private investigator but spends his summers cooking for special events in the community and can also cater events and parties.

“I get bored in the winter and have to do something in the off season,” Hovish said.  “I investigate insurance fraud and the job takes me to all kinds of places, I am getting licensed for Montana, Alaska and Washington as well.”

Although Hovish enjoys his private investigation he puts it on hold for the cook-out season. Border Bob’s will be at the Boundary County Fair in August.

For information on catering services call Border Bob at 267-7939.