Do you have what it takes to be Fayetteville's Black BBQ Cook-Off champion? How to apply

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Hi foodies,

School is out, and summer is in the air. It’s time to break out the grill, and get excited for the barbecue event that you should look forward to all summer long.

Fayetteville’s Black BBQ Cook-Off, now in its second year, is putting out the call for contestants.

Slated for Aug. 19 at Murchison Marketplace, organizer Bruce Yeomans said that a dozen competitors from throughout the Carolinas have registered, and he plans to accept up to 35.

You don’t have to be a culinary professional to compete. The event aims to be a training ground for first-time competitors and a steppingstone for locals who might aspire to compete in national tournaments, Yeomans said.

“We’re trying to get people out the backyard,” he said.

Modeled after the Kansas City Barbeque Society rules, competitors will cook pork ribs, chicken thighs and brisket for a chance to win trophies and cash in each meat category and overall. Attendees will sample pulled pork to determine a people’s choice winner.

The grand champion will be awarded $1,000. The entrance fee is $250.

In celebration of the original pitmasters, enslaved people who cooked parts of the animal that were usually discarded, team captains must be of African or African-American descent, according to the rules.

Potential competitors can email Bruce Yeomans nothnfancy@hotmail.com to apply.

May the best barbecue win!

Happy eating,

Taylor

Taylor Shook writes about food, dining and business for The Fayetteville Observer. She can be reached at tshook@gannett.com, on Twitter, or Facebook.  

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville's Black BBQ Cook-Off puts out the call for competitors