[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING DENNYMIKE'S 'CUE STUFF INC.

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, though we often say in Maine that 
April can still be considered a winter month, we are hopeful that 
warmer weather is just around the corner. And one of our Nation's 
favorite summer pastimes is grilling outdoors--eating good food while 
enjoying the company of friends and family. While barbecue is 
traditionally considered Southern cuisine, one Maine company is out to 
redefine that notion--and having great success in this endeavor. As 
such, I rise today to recognize DennyMike's 'Cue Stuff Inc. for its 
numerous award-winning barbecue products.
  DennyMike's got its start in 2002 when Dennis Michael--or DennyMike--
Sherman, a born and bred Mainer, opened DennyMike's Smokehouse BBQ and 
Deli in the popular seaside town of Old Orchard Beach. Mr. Sherman's 
purpose in opening this unique restaurant in Maine was to expose New 
Englanders to a cuisine he has loved since the 1970s, when he first 
experienced authentic Texas-style barbecue. In 2008, Mr. Sherman also 
launched a line of genuine, hand-crafted barbecue rubs and sauces for 
use by customers at home, whether it be to spice up meatloaf made in 
the oven or add flavor to seafood or steak cooked on the grill. The 
company is a member of the Kansas City BBQ Society and the National BBQ 
Association, among other organizations, ensuring that it is at the 
forefront of this burgeoning industry.
  To create its unique sauces and rubs, DennyMike's utilizes high-
quality ingredients such as clover honey, natural sea salt, and 
Barbados molasses. The company creates these products, which are all-
natural and gluten-free, in small batches to ensure a richer flavor. 
The company markets a broad range of sauces like the Sweet 'N Spicy, 
DennyMike's original standard-bearer, as well as rubs that include the 
Fintastic, seasoned with a hint of citrus for a tangy twist on 
traditional Maine cuisine such as fresh fish and shrimp. From sweet and 
savory to strong and spicy, DennyMike's products are designed to please 
any discerning set of taste buds. DennyMike and his wife, Patty, 
accompanied by one full-time employee, produce the sauces and rubs, 
with five part-time workers supplementing as needed.
  While some may scoff at the notion of an award-winning barbecue 
master hailing from Maine, Mr. Sherman has put such critics to shame 
with an impressive display of awards from organizations nationwide. In 
November, one of DennyMike's sauces was named the best barbecue sauce 
in the ``All-Natural Hot'' category at the 2010 Scovie Awards, while 
another of its distinctive rubs won top place in the ``Dry Rub/All-
Purpose'' class. Decided through scrupulous blind tastings, the Scovie 
Awards are prestigious in the barbecue industry, and now comprise one 
of the world's most competitive gourmet food competitions. 
Additionally, DennyMike's received five medals--two gold, one silver, 
and two bronze--from the National Barbecue Association, or NBBQA, last 
year, while also winning several awards for its distinct packaging from 
various organizations. At this year's NBBQA Conference and Expo, 
DennyMike's racked up seven awards, building on its record of 
accomplishment and success within the industry.
  DennyMike's 'Cue Stuff has quickly made a name for itself by 
introducing quality, all-natural barbecue products to our home State. 
As he continues to promote his sauces and rubs at regional trade shows 
across New England, I am confident that word will only spread faster of 
Mr. Sherman's creative and celebrated line of products. I thank Mr. 
Sherman for so vividly embodying the entrepreneurial spirit, and wish 
him continued success in his tasty quest.

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