It's the time of year for picnics and literally eating out! There are some things that just sound more interesting than others.

What happens when Marines trained to handle artillery get their hands on some 'heavy equipment'? You get lots of smoke but of the delicious kind when they have a "Command of the Grill" cook-off. The idea is to hold a series of cook-offs and then a final one. Recipes are then compiled into a book that would later be sold with its proceeds going to charities that support Marines and their families.

The final competition is held on Fleet Week -

"Fleet Week is the annual event in which Navy, Coast Guard, and visiting ships from around the world dock in harbors of New York. Thousands of sailors and Marines file off the boats in a steady stream and flood the streets of New York City. It's a time when the fine young men and women who protect our country can relax and have some fun, and the city welcomes them with open arms."

This year, one of the finalists is Sgt. Michael Clawson who's a pro at hunting and grilling elk. In the event that the contest didn't allow him to grill elk, he just thought of recreating the rosemary and sage-infused flavours in what he calls 'enhancing' and not 'overpowering' the meat's flavour. According to him his entry, Steak Fajitas with Rocky Mountain Rub, won because the steak "tasted like it's supposed to".

The other finalists are Lance Corporal Jaynine Goodroe, Sergeant Michael Clayton, Colonel Stewart Navarre, Staff Sergeant Daniel Newcomb, Captain Phillip Woodward, Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Batista, Staff Sergeant Joseph Taylor, Captain Robert L. Burton and Captain Eric Peter Dominijanni.

The final contest will be held tomorrow, 25 May 2006 on Time Square in New York City. Good luck to all contestants!

Photo from deseretnews.com Salt Lake Marine to compete in N.Y. in 'Command of Grill' contest. Click on article link for the recipe.