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Under the bridge in Morgan City, smoke laced with the scent of basted meat lingers amid the 30 teams vying for a state barbecue championship.
For the second year, the Bayou BBQ Bash attracts master cooks from throughout the state – and beyond – for the International Barbeque Cookers Association-sanctioned competition on July 20. Thirty teams participated last year, and up to 50 are anticipated this year.
“What we learned was, there was a heck of a lot of more people who showed up than we expected,” said Don Tellman, who with his wife, worked for seven years to organize last year’s debut. He said local tourism advocates estimated 2,000 people attended the event.
The cook-off is divided into three categories: brisket, spare ribs and chicken. A panel of 100 judges, including IBCA overseers, score each cook in each category. Points are given per each top-10 rank, and the cook who collects the most points is named grand champion. Bayou BBQ Bash’s winner secures an invite to the Kansas City Royal, “one of the biggest barbecue events anywhere,” Tellman said.
Registration costs $150, or $50 for each meat category. Competitors must cook all three meets for grand-prize eligibility.
Sean Hebert was crowned the inaugural grand champion, scoring first place for brisket, fifth for ribs and eighth for chicken. His corporate team Hebert Steel also won first place.
Twenty-two teams had registered before the end of June.
Children are also encouraged to compete in the “Kids Q.” Children 12 and younger cook pork chops, and teenagers between 13-15 smoke chicken. Fifteen spots are open for each age group, and the entry fee is $10. Cannata’s Family Market is donating the meat for these challenges, Tellman said.
General attendees, who pay no admission, can purchase barbecue sampler plates in advance for $7 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased at the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce office, 727 Myrtle St., Morgan City.
“We’re estimating that we will feed somewhere close to 1,000 people with that,” Tellman said. Proceeds will be split among four nonprofit organizations, which are only tasked with working the booths the day of the event: Children’s Miracle Network, St. Mary Chamber of Commerce, Morgan City Family Church and Extreme Sports.
Episcopal Church of Morgan City serves hot dogs and soft drinks, and the chamber operates a beer booth, a new addition.
Beginning at noon, the Houma band Seabrook performs. A “kids’ zone,” featuring activities such as face painting, is set up to entertain children, and roughly 50 arts and crafts booths and a Quilters’ Guild booth are on hand for festivalgoers to peruse.
The Chamber of Commerce hosts its traditional Business After Hours with a twist on July 18. From 6-8 p.m., attendees are invited to “Meet the Cook,” as pits are fired outside Hampton Inn and Suites, 6365 La. Highway 182, Morgan City.
editor@gumboguide.com
Barbecue master cooks try their recipes for brisket, chicken and spare ribs on the pit in a roughly 30-team state championship competition July 20 in Morgan City.
