The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Hammond BBQ challenge is more than meets the eye

    The largest barbecue event in Louisiana, the Hammond Smokin’ BBQ Challenge returns Mar. 24 and 25 for its 14th consecutive year. 

    This free event, held in Downtown Hammond each year, features competitors of all ages and levels of expertise. The professional teams compete in the Kansas City Barbeque Society Louisiana State Championship, the Backyard Boogie contest and the Lamar Outdoor Advertising Chicken Little Contest, which is composed of children’s teams.

    “Right now we have 58 pro-teams from 17 different states that come into Hammond, they start coming in on Thursday,” said Eric Phares, a local businessman and head coordinator of the event. “We have 48 local teams right now, but I’m sure its going to fill up a little bit more. Usually we have between 50 to 55 local teams that compete and anywhere from 10 to 16 kids teams that compete.”

    An official event of the 2017 Sam’s Club National BBQ Tour, this event serves as the Louisiana State Championships for the professional teams. They compete in four meat categories including pork ribs, pork shoulder or Boston Butt, beef brisket and chicken. The champion of this contest wins $12,000 cash and the title of BBQ State Champion of Louisiana. 

    ”It’s a serious competition,” said Phares. “The pro teams are vying for over $12,000 in cash and prizes, the backyard teams for bragging rights and trophies, and the kids are competing for the same thing, bragging right and trophies.”

    Attendees can also participate in judging in the Tip-2-Taste competition. Participating teams will accept a tip in exchange for a sample of their barbecue creations, and at the conclusion of the contest, the team with the most tips wins. However, those who are looking for something more than just barbecue, the Tip-2-Taste program allows diverse options for hungry patrons.

    “It isn’t always barbecue they serve, some teams have jambalaya, some have red beans, some have bacon wrapped shrimp and of course, there is always barbecue,” said Phares. “Our food vendor actually sell ribs, pork and brisket, but we also sell what we call a ‘parfait.’ It’s coleslaw, beans and pork in a cup, so you get an entire meal at once.”

    In its past 13 events the Hammond Smokin’ BBQ Challenge has raised approximately $400,000 for Tangipahoa parish nonprofit organizations.

    “For the last six years we have raised between 38 and $48,000 each year for charities,” said Phares, “Our two main beneficiaries are TARC and Special Olympics Louisiana, then we have nine other charities that we divide the last third of the proceeds to.”

    One of the proudest accomplishments of this event is how it manages to unite teams from all walks of life with varying levels of barbecue expertise and unites them for a good cause.

    “You’ll see a lot of people on the professional side, people in big $500,000 motor homes with $30,000 barbecue rigs, who travel around the country in a circuit of competitions, “ said Phares. “Then you’ll see the backyard people with their little Weber grills, just having fun. This event really runs the gambit.”

    Live performers will include The Wiseguys Band on Friday, Mar. 24 from 6-10  p.m. and Lindsey Cardinale, who was the twelfth place finalist on American Idol in 2005, at 1-4 p.m. on Saturday.

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