Tree Top Selects Finalists in America's Best Firehouse BBQ Cook-Off

SELAH, WA--(Marketwire - Jun 23, 2011) - Tree Top, the only major brand of apple juice made from 100 percent USA apples, invited firehouses from around the nation to enter their most delicious, mouth-watering BBQ recipes using Tree Top products. America's Best Firehouse BBQ Cook-Off is off to a smokin' start and Tree Top is excited to announce the 10 finalists -- and recipes -- entered for a chance to win the $10,000 grand prize:

• Spokane Fire Station #13: Tony's Puleihu BBQ Sauce (Spokane, Wash.)
• Jefferson Township Fire Department Stations 60 and 62: Riggsby's Chicken (Dayton, Ohio)
• Snohomish County Fire Protection District 26 Station 54: Stop, Drop and BBQ Chicken (Gold Bar, Wash.)
• Portland Fire and Rescue State Hazmat Station 7: Tree Top Fresh, Applewood Smoked Chicken (Portland, Ore.)
• Selah Fire Department Station 1: Firemen Like It Hot!! (Selah, Wash.)
• Setauket Fire Department Hook Ladder Co. #1: The West End Truck Slow Cooked Ribs aka H & L Ribs (Setauket, N.Y.)
• East Litchfield Volunteer Fire Company: Carolina Apple Smoked Pork Sandwiches (Litchfield, Conn.)
• South Whatcom Fire Authority Station 22: 22 House's Pulled Pork (Bellingham, Wash.)
• Ashley Community Fire Protection District Station 1: BBQ Chicken Apple Wraps (Ashley, Ill.)
• Yakima County Fire District 6 Gleed Fire Station 1: Gleed's Favorite Goop (Yakima, Wash.)

The top 10 finalists were asked to create a short video to convince America and the judges that their firehouse -- and recipe -- are the best and most deserving of the $10,000 prize. Beginning today through July 29, America is invited to vote online for their favorite video. Vote once a day to select the People's Choice winner at www.americasbestfirehousebbq.com.

"We were thrilled to see BBQ recipe submissions from throughout the country, Washington State to Connecticut and in between," said Sharon Miracle, corporate communications manager for Tree Top. "Not only did we get a chance to enjoy the recipes, but each firehouse photo and essay reminded us about the great men and women who serve our communities every day."

The grand prize winner of America's Best Firehouse BBQ Cook-Off will be selected by a panel of judges, which includes Audra Lowe from BetterTV, BBQ Addicts, authors of BBQ Makes Everything Better, and Allison Parker, MS, RD, director of consumer health and education for the U.S. Apple Association. Additionally, the online people's voting score counts toward the judging panel.

About Tree Top
Since 1960, Tree Top has provided premium, quality juices, fruit based products and ingredients to consumers and most of the world's leading food and beverage manufacturers. The grower-owned cooperative operates fruit processing facilities in the heart of Washington's apple country, Oregon and California. With more than 1,000 growers, the co-op creates the widest array of fruit-based products and ingredients available on the market. Tree Top's passion and attention to quality and craftsmanship make it the first choice for customers. For more information, visit www.treetop.com.