Latest news with #WorldChampionshipBarbecueCookingContest
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What's new at 2025 Memphis in May BBQ contest? Everything you need to know about the event
More than 150 teams will fire up their grills as part of the 2025 Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. The competition returns to Memphis' Liberty Park May 14-17, but the prowess of the pitmasters isn't the only thing to enjoy at the event. There will be a variety of family-friendly activities, musical performances and, of course, sauce wrestling and Ms. Piggie Idol. Rasheed Philips, The Gentleman Smoker and breakout star of Netflix's hit series "American Barbecue Showdown," will be the food guide for the competition. Here is a closer look at what to know about the 2025 Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Competition. More than 150 teams from 23 states and four countries will descend upon Memphis to vie for the title of Grand Champion in the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. The main categories include ribs, shoulder and whole hog, although a variety of ancillary categories range from wings to sauce and much more. MEMPHIS IN MAY 2024: Meet the winners of the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest In addition to the prize money and bragging rights, teams are competing to receive a "Golden Ticket," which automatically qualifies them for the World Food Championships in October. A handful of categories aren't based on the quality of the 'cue; instead they give teams a chance to show off their creativity in competitions including Best Booth, Best T-Shirt and Ms. Piggie Idol. The short answer is yes. Competitors are only allowed to prepare food for and serve it to the judges, but there are various experience upgrades you can add to get a taste of the deliciousness. BBQ Alley with Big Green Egg and Friends ($28): Reserve your spot in advance online or walk up at the event to enjoy top-notch 'cue from four well-known barbecue restaurants. This experience is available at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. May 15 and 16. Kingsford Tour of Champions ($33): This unique barbecue experience gives you the chance to judge and sample championship barbecue and then vote for your favorite like a professional food critic — or, simply a hungry pork afficionado with a particular palate. Reservations must be made online in advance. This experience is available at 6 p.m. May 14; 2, 4 and 6 p.m. May 15-16; and 2 and 4 p.m. May 17. Combo tickets are also available that include the price of admission and the experience. Memphis in May is also hosting a "barbecue marketplace," to enable cooks and teams to sell their special sauces, dry rubs and other wares. Memphis in May will host a trio of new competitions as part of the four-day event. Steak Cookoff Competition: The first Steak Cookoff Competition will take place May 15. Winners will receive a cash prize and automatic entry into the Steak Cookoff Association World Championship held in Fort Worth in March 2026. The first-place winner will receive $3,000. Jr. Barbecue Cooking Contest: On May 15-16, future grill masters ages 9-17 will be put to the ultimate test and allowed to display their skills for a chance to be crowned the first Jr. Barbecue Cooking Contest Grand Champion. They also will receive a Golden Ticket to the World Food Championship. The Grand Champion will win $3,000, as well as a grill and accessories. Flava Faceoff: Chefs and mixologists will compete to see who can create the best bite and sip May 14–17. This head-to-head battle will feature the top chefs and mixologists from Memphis' vibrant hospitality industry, who will create their best dish or cocktail for a panel of judges. Samples of the contestants' bites and sips will be provided to the public. There will be seven contests for chefs and mixologists to compete in ranging from bacon to cocktail to vegetarian, and each contest will feature two chefs or mixologists. ENTERTAINMENT NEWS: Memphis in May's Beale Street Music Festival set to return in 2026: 'We own May' Barbecue is best enjoyed along with live music. Here's what's happening each night of the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest: May 14: Music by DJ Mad EfX in BBQ Alley May 15: Lil Wyte and Justin Time: 8 p.m. May 16: The Bar-Kays: 8:30 p.m. May 17: DJ Mic Tee of K97 FM: 6 and 8:30 p.m. In addition to live music, mark these two can't-miss Memphis in May events on your calendar: sauce wrestling at 6 p.m. May 14 and Ms. Piggie Idol at 6 p.m. May 15. There is a limited number of paid parking lots available at and around Liberty Park. Premium Parking is Memphis in May's official partner. To find a Premium Parking spot in the area, visit Parking passes are also available for purchase along with the purchase of tickets. Prices vary between number of days, with a variety of add-ons and options for parking. Single-day general admission starts at $22, while four-day general admission starts at $65. For tickets and more information, visit Ellen Chamberlain is the food and dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. Email her at and follow her on Instagram @esaidshesaid. To keep up with the latest news from the Memphis food and dining scene, sign up here for our Eat Drink Memphis weekly newsletter. When: May 14-17; gates open 5 p.m. May 14, 11 a.m. May 15-16 and 10 a.m. May 17 Online: Liberty Park Online: This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis in May BBQ contest: A guide to the 2025 competition and events
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Memphis in May adds some new 'cue to fest with junior pitmasters, steak competition & more
If the second day of the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest had a theme, it would be "New 'Cue." The 2025 competition at Liberty Park featured several new additions including the Jr. Barbecue Cooking Contest and Steak Cookoff Competition. On May 15, competitors worked to prove their skills in the first junior competition, including 10-year-old Miles O'Guin who said he started cooking when he was just 4 years old. MEMPHIS IN MAY 2025: Body slams in BBQ sauce? Memphis in May kicks off 2025 contest with in-ring action Fellow competitors, 13-year-old Rylee and her almost-10-year-old sister Dakoda Smith of Hempstead, Texas, are both already junior world champions. The pair submitted entries early in the day on May 15. Later in the afternoon, the sisters participated in a cooking demonstration at the Future Legends of Barbecue stage, during which they gave out samples of a perfectly cooked blue ribeye. "We cook it hot and fast over charcoal to get the perfect cook," explained Dakoda, who said she has been cooking since she was 6. Junior contestants competed in dessert, pork chop, chicken legs/thighs and ribeye steak categories. But the junior pitmasters weren't the only contestants taking flame to steak. Adults competing in the inaugural steak competition turned in their submissions at 4:30 p.m. May 15, along with teams competing in the best sauce categories. The Memphis in May barbecue contest runs through May 17. Competition teams also gave away plenty of food to passers-by, unlike in years past when food was reserved for judges. Mexico BBQ Team gave away birria tacos along with a choice of salsa and toppings to anyone walking by their tent. The team is competing this year in the Shoulder and Sauce categories. 2025 Grand Champion Brad Orrison of The Shed BBQ found himself with extra ribeye, which his teammate Jeff Fritz dusted with his Chef Fritz seasoning, combined it with peppers and cheese, and sandwiched it between large, round, sesame-crusted bread sourced directly from New Orleans to make Philly steak muffulettas. BEST BBQ TEAM NAMES: 10 of our favorites from Memphis in May and SmokeSlam And 2025 World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest Tour Guide Rasheed Philips even made a friend who supplied him with a grill, charcoal and chicken thighs so he could scratch the itch to cook and not simply host the day's festivities. "I've got a smoking addiction," Philips said, adding his to a growing number grill jokes floating around the competition grounds. "Smoke and fire are all I need." Ellen Chamberlain is the food and dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. Email her at and follow her on Instagram @esaidshesaid. To keep up with the latest news from the Memphis food and dining scene, sign up here for our Eat Drink Memphis weekly newsletter. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis in May BBQ contest lets junior pitmasters show off skills
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
See the Mississippi barbecue restaurant Southern Living named one of best in US
Southern Living has named a Mississippi restaurant one of the Top 50 barbecue places in the country. (The state previously was snubbed.) This family-owned business is also a local blues joint that has live music several times a week. And the same team that runs the Ocean Springs eatery has won World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest at Memphis in May three times. In fact, they're the current reigning grand champions. Here's what we know about where you can get some of the best ribs, brisket, pork, chicken, shrimp and sausage in Mississippi. Southern Living named The Shed Barbecue & Blues Joint, 501 MS-57, Ocean Springs, as the best in the state, calling the venue "a splendidly funky setting at the edge of a Mississippi bayou." "What started out in 2001 as a 300 square foot barbecue shack has grown over the years into a sprawling compound of wooden sheds and outdoor picnic tables," they wrote. Fans, or ShedHeds, make regular pilgrimages back for their favorites. The restaurant has pecan-smoked meat that you can buy on plates or by the pound. There are also many sides to choose from, like potato salad, sweet potato casserole, cole slaw, baked beans, collard greens and more. The Shed competition team, led by restaurant co-owner Brad Orrison, has won the grand champion title at the world event in 2024, 2018 and 2015. They've also won the Whole Hog division four times and have other wins in multiple ancillary competition (poultry, beef and booth). The team uses a smoker that's inside an antique Willys Jeep for competition. Contributing: Neil Strebig Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS BBQ restaurant makes Southern Living list of Top 50 best in US
