New Memphis barbecue contest to feature 59 teams, youth competition
Memphis’ inaugural Smokeslam barbecue festival has finalized its list of competitors, with 59 teams set to vie for a total purse of $250,000.
As part of an announcement made Wednesday, Smokeslam also confirmed that the World Junior BBQ League — the philanthropic organization founded by seven-time World BBQ Champion Melissa Cookston — will host a youth barbecue competition, awarding $25,000 in prizes at the festival.
The first Smokeslam competition is set for May 16-18 at Tom Lee Park in Downtown Memphis. It will be held the same weekend as the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, which has moved to Liberty Park.
The new contest, which was announced in November, is being produced by Forward Momentum — the group behind the Mempho Music Festival and Mempho Presents. Judging for the event will be run by the Memphis BBQ Network.
According to Smokeslam, 32 of the 59 teams vie for titles in all three categories: whole hog, ribs and pulled pork. A total of 33 teams will compete in whole hog, 46 in pulled pork and 56 in ribs.
Last year, without any direct competition, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest drew 150 teams. Memphis in May did not respond to an inquiry about the number of teams it expects to have this year.
The Smokeslam teams will represent 11 states. Notable names among the competitors include Memphis’ Rebel Roasters, who have come out of retirement to participate; I Only Smoke When I Drink, an all-female team from Nashville; and Hog Addiction, led by champion pitmaster Marcio Borguezan, from Mississippi.
Smokeslam has also announced a partnership with Cookston and her World Junior BBQ League to “help foster the next generation of up-and-coming pitmasters.”
The World Junior BBQ League was founded in 2021 by Cookston with the purpose of engaging young people in BBQ competitions and to teach them “skills beyond the grill” (leadership, teamwork, strategic planning, grace under pressure and work ethic).
The World Junior BBQ League has hosted competitions in Memphis and throughout the South, as well as international events in Guatemala and the Cayman Islands. Each year, participants who competed at a World Junior BBQ League competition, either nationally or internationally, may compete at the World Championship in the fall.
“BBQ has been good to me, and I’m thrilled to give back by imparting my knowledge and passion to the next generation,” Cookston said. “With Smokeslam’s partnership and support, we’ll be able to extend this opportunity to more young people and ensure the flame of BBQ excellence continues to burn brightly for years to come.”
Smokeslam’s steering committee leader Melzie Wilson said Smokeslam was designed to be a “place for the whole family to enjoy a day or weekend of food, fun, activities, and interactive demonstrations.”
Wilson added that organizers “are thrilled that the World Junior BBQ League and young people from our local community and beyond will be joining us and showing off their BBQ skills in an event that is just as competitive as the others.” Some $25,000 in prize money will be awarded as part of the competition.
To take part in Smokeslam’s junior competition, participants must be members of World Junior BBQ League and between the ages of 14-18 or currently enrolled in high school. World Junior BBQ League also hosts optional bootcamps where participants learn to cook in various competition categories. The next bootcamp is scheduled for March 27.
For more information about World Junior BBQ League, visit Worldjrbbqleague.com.
For information or to purchase tickets to Smokeslam, go to Smokeslam.com.