As the weather begins to cool and the leaves begin to change, so do our diets. Watermelons are exchanged for pumpkins. Hot tea starts to sound better than iced tea. Chili recipes are dusted off for easy school-night dinners and Sunday football gatherings.
While barbecue certainly pairs well with summer, it never really goes out of season. This weekend, for example, the region hosts three major barbecue events.
Here is what you need to know about St. Louis Barbecue Weekend:
Praise the Lard Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-Off
When: Thursday, September 24-Saturday, September 26
Where: 17th Street Barbecue
32 N. 17th Street
Murphysboro, IL 62966
What: The 28th Annual Praise the Lard Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-Off has something for everyone. First, the event is a major competition featuring many of America’s top barbecue competition teams. 75 teams will compete for a $25,000 grand prize. While many of teams will also be seen at events like Memphis in May or the Jack Daniel’s World Championship, the Murphysboro event offers an unparalleled opportunity to get up close and personal to some of America’s best barbecue teams.
This will be the third year for The Townsend Spice Kids’ Cue event where children between the ages of 7-11 and 12-15 are provided with chicken breasts, charcoal and a mini-grill for a youth competition.
Finally, home cooks are invited to compete against professionals in the World Food Championship qualifying events which take place on Friday afternoon. The categories are sandwich, bacon and dessert.
Price: The event is free to attend, but entrance fees are required to compete. See website for more information.
More information:www.17bbq.com
Wildwood BBQ Bash
When: Friday 6-10PM, Saturday 10AM-11PM, Sunday 10AM-4PM
Where: Wildwood Town Center
221 Plaza Dr.
Wildwood, MO 63040
What: The Wildwood BBQ Bash is the third of four events in the Budweiser BBQ Series of competitions.
With 110 teams competing for a $4,500 purse, this is the largest competition in St. Louis. Among the judges will be Myron Mixon, one of barbecue’s biggest celebrities, who will also host a cooking class. Other events include a chicken wing eating contest, ice cream eating contest, margarita competition, fireworks, live music and an Iron Chef competition.
Price: Free admission with food and drink available for purchase.
More information: www.bbqworldwide.com
Q in the Lou
When: Friday 4-9PM, Saturday 11AM-9PM, Sunday 11AM-6PM
Where: Soldiers’ Memorial in Downtown St. Louis
What: A new event in St. Louis, the first Q in the Lou brings together teams from nine major barbecue restaurants from around the country, including three from St. Louis. Pappy’s, Salt + Smoke and Sugarfire join successful barbecuers from Ubon’s, Salt Lick and The Shed, among others.
Events include cooking tutorials, a barbecue innovations expo, amateur cooking contests, live music and an opportunity to taste some great barbecue.
Price: Entrance is free. Food and drink are available for purchase.
More information: www.qinthelou.com
If you aren’t barbecued out this weekend with these three events, the American Royal is the following weekend in Kansas City.
