World Junior BBQ League opens for teens
Barbecue-loving teens can put their pitmaster skills to the test and win up to $20,000.
Renowned pitmaster Melissa Cookston has launched the World Junior BBQ League, a nonprofit organization aiming to engage kids ages 14-18 in barbecue competitions.
The league’s mission is to teach teens life skills including leadership, teamwork, strategic planning, organizational skills, time management, work ethic, emotional focus in a competitive environment and culinary skills.
“The world of competitive barbecue has taught me many lessons and made me a better person,” said Cookston, owner of Memphis Barbecue Company. “Competitive barbecue develops so many skills in a fun, competitive environment where people meet lifelong friends and improve themselves all while enjoying a productive and positive pastime.”
The first World Junior BBQ League Championship will be Nov. 6 at Autozone Park, 200 Union Ave. in Memphis.
Teens will compete by cooking chicken thighs, spare ribs, pork butt and a brisket flat.
To enter, participants must pay $250 and all meat will be provided by the World Junior BBQ League. Contestants must be members of the league to compete.
Participants pay a one-time membership fee of $25 to join the league and attend a BBQ Bootcamp for free. The teens will also have access to a private Facebook group to communicate with and learn from peers and champion pitmasters.
Participants must be enrolled in ninth through 12th grade or equivalent curriculum. The league will offer scholarships for memberships, competition costs and supplies to those who do not have the means to participate.
The first World Junior BBQ League regular season contest will be Sept. 2425 at The Great Ruleville Roast at Rule Park in Ruleville, Mississippi, with prizes of more than $4,000. Participants must pay a $150 entry fee.
World Junior BBQ League’s first BBQ Bootcamp will be in Horn Lake on Oct. 16. Competition barbecue pitmasters will offer instruction on cooking techniques and how to plan for and participate in barbecue contests.
Cookston, known as “The Winningest Woman in Competition Barbecue,” said the World Junior BBQ League relies on donations and sponsorships from companies including Prairie Fresh, Kingsford and Yeti.
For more information, visit worldjrbbqleague.com.