If you like the taste of perfectly bar-be-qued chicken, succulent pork ribs and juicy brisket, then come get your fill at the Laredo Big Bad Bar-Be-Que Cook-Off, presented by Budweiser, taking place November 13 and 14 at the Laredo Energy Arena.
Teams will compete for the title of Grand
Champion and a $20,000 payout in those three categories, as well as jackpot
categories in fajitas, beef ribs and beans. Over the two-day cook-off,
attendees can enjoy concerts with Tejano legend David Lee Garza y los Musicales
on Friday, up-and-coming country artist Gabe Garcia on Saturday, as well as
local favorites The Jolly Ranchers on both days. There will also be
activities, food and arts and crafts vendors, bar-be-que sampling and even, a
chance to judge the official entries. The best part: entry for the event on
both days is $5 or one new toy per adult, all to benefit the Laredo Police
Department Community Relations Unit Blue Santa Program.
The Laredo Big Bad BBQ Cook-Off has
already drawn competitors from all over the state and even as far away as
Arkansas. Some of the cooks who will be part of the event are chefs
featured on BBBQ Pitmasters on Destination America Network and others are
currently ranked in the Top 10 of the International Barbeque Cookers
Association (ibcabbq.org), the organization setting the rules for this
competition.
Slots are still available for anyone
wishing to be a part of the cook-off. Starting on Friday at 6:00 p.m.,
teams of five can compete for first place prizes in the three jackpot
categories of fajitas, beef ribs and beans. The Grand
Champion competition begins on Saturday when the gates open at 12:00 p.m., and
earn points and cash in the three meat categories; chicken, pork ribs and
brisket. Cash payout will be up to 15th place in each. However, the highlight for attendees will be the People’s Choice Sampling on Saturday from 3:00 to 6:00, once all the competition meats have been turned in. Teams can offer samples of their best meats or food of their choice and for only $5 a ballot, attendees will get to sample team’s offering and then vote for their favorite. The people’s choice will win a variety of bar-be-que related prizes.
To be able to determine who will walk away with the top purse will require judges – a lot of judges.
Organizers
are inviting anyone over 18 to sign up for any of the six categories and expect
to try a lot of great bar-be-que.
To sign up, cooks and judges can go to www.laredobigbadbbq.com.
The
full schedule of events for both days:
Friday,
November 13, 2015
6:00
PM
Gates open
8:00
PM
The Jolly Ranchers
9:30
PM
David Lee Garza y Los Musicales
Saturday,
November 14, 2015
12:00
PM
Gates Open
3:00 – 6:00 PM People’s Choice Sampling
4:00
PM
The Jolly Ranchers
5:30
PM
Gabe Garcia
7:00
PM
Awards Ceremony
The first ever Laredo Big Bad BBQ Cook-Off
is presented by Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and Montejo, as well as
BBVA Compass, Academy, Family Chevrolet, State Farm Agent Luis Estrada, the
Laredo Chamber of Commerce, and Variety Meats and hosted by the City of Laredo
and the Laredo Energy Arena.
