By all accounts, Caroline Arth was an excellent cook. A longtime resident of Lidgerwood ND, she often drew on her family’s ethnic roots in the kitchen, serving up German potato salad, sauerkraut, and lefse among her specialties. Though Caroline passed away in 2007, she left behind a lasting legacy of family and food, something her grandsons have proudly embraced as they aim to “smoke” the competition in a local cooking contest.
Caroline’s grandsons—Matt and Mike Christopherson of Mitchell and Harrisburg respectively and Tyler Melroe of Britton—have inherited her skills and love of cooking. Each year, they put their talents to the test at the Harvest Days Rib Cook-off, held this past weekend. Competing under the name Sweet Caroline’s BBQ, the team once again proved they’re a force to be reckoned with.
The team’s journey into the Harvest Days Rib Cook-off began several years ago, thanks to a unique chain of connections. Matt’s wife, Amy, worked with Sonya Lang in Aberdeen more than 30 years ago. The Langs eventually moved to Britton, and when Amy student taught there under Mary Cusick, she lived with Sonya and her husband, Joe. Joe learned of Matt’s passion for grilling and smoking meats. Knowing Matt’s skills, Joe encouraged him to enter the Harvest Days rib competition, which Joe helped organize.
Things soon started falling into place. Matt’s brother Mike and cousin Tyler were also avid backyard chefs, and the extended family had strong ties to the area—regularly gathering at Roy Lake for reunions over the past decade. With encouragement and a little family momentum, Sweet Caroline’s BBQ was born.
They entered their first Harvest Days Rib Cook-off in 2019 with a modest setup, just a few small smokers. But each year since, their operation has grown. The team experiments with different rib flavors annually, sometimes leaning sweet and other times turning up the heat. Melroe, a beef expert and former meat judge, serves as their quality control, selecting only the best ribs to enter.
For Sweet Caroline’s BBQ, cooking is about more than just competition. It’s a tribute to their grandmother, whose love for family meals lives on in every rib. “We’re all about big meals and big family,” said Melroe. “Cooking together and spending time with family is really important.” But the friendly rivalry is part of the fun too. “We’re competitive at everything,” Mike laughed. “Whether it’s cooking or a family baseball game. We want to win!”
The family has cooked at other contests throughout eastern South Dakota, including in Miller, Mitchell, and Salem, but Britton’s Harvest Days remains their top priority. “We like to do competitions that give back to a charitable cause,” Matt emphasized. The local cook-off supports the 4-H archery program, a mission they’re proud to back. It’s also a way to honor Joe Lang, who encouraged them to enter their first competition and who passed away from cancer a few years ago.
Their efforts over the years have paid off. The team has racked up multiple trophies and earned the coveted People’s Choice Award several times. To win over the crowd, they go the extra mile, hand dipping each rib on request while Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” plays in the background. This year, they even offered complimentary cornbread. The crowd responded—again awarding them People’s Choice and second place overall.
The wins are sweet, but the family time is sweeter. Sweet Caroline’s BBQ plan to keep showing up, ribs and all, in their grandma’s memory.
