In the summer, who doesn’t like a good barbeque? Everyone has their special recipes and secret sauces. However, Pilgrim’s Pride is looking for the best barbeque chefs at their first annual BBQ Cook-Off.
The cook-off will take place on Saturday, August 15 at the A.W. Todd Centre in downtown Russellville during the 35th annual Franklin County Watermelon Festival.
“This is for bragging rights,” said Jose Guerrero, community liaison for Pilgrim’s Pride. “This is the first time this has been done in Franklin County.”
This is an amateur-only event. The deadline to enter is Monday, August 10. The application is available online at www.franklincountychamber.org. Persons interested in participating should fill out the application and return it along with the team’s entry fee. For any questions or more information, please contact Guerrero at (256) 768-1887.
To participate in the event, all teams must check in from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, August 14 or 7-9 a.m. on Saturday, August 15. Teams are comprised of three members (a master chef and two assistants). The teams must bring their own equipment to cook. However, the sponsor, Pilgrim’s Pride, will supply the meat. The meat can only be cooked using an approved fuel source such as wood, wood pellets or charcoal.
“I have been to several barbeque cook-offs to see how they are operated and learn about the rules,” said Guerrero. “We want this event to be fun for everyone.”
There are five categories that teams can enter: Chicken Leg Quarters, Chicken Wings, Whole Chicken, Boston Butts and Pork Ribs. The teams must enter one chicken and one pork category. However, each team can enter multiple recipes and categories. The entry fee is $25 per category.
The judges will be local dignitaries who will judge the cooked product based on creativity, taste, tenderness and appearance. The judges will select one winner from each of the categories and award them a trophy. The judges will also decide the Grand Champion, who will not only win a trophy but also $500.
The audience’s opinion does matter, too. They will be able to vote for their favorite team. The contestants can not sell their cooked product but are encouraged to give out samples to the audience for the People’s Choice Award. The winning team will receive $250.
“We are looking forward to a great event,” said Guerrero. “We want to see this event continue next year.”
