Featured photo: A “sample” of pulled pork from a team at the second annual Ark-La-Tex Ambassadors BBQ Cook-Off.
Organizers of the Ark-La-Tex Ambassadors BBQ Cook-Off, an up-and-coming regional barbecue competition held annually in downtown Shreveport, have opened team registration for their 2015 event. The third annual Ark-La-Tex Ambassadors BBQ Cook-Off will be held, April 24-25, in downtown Shreveport’s Festival Plaza. This National BBQ Festival-sanctioned competition attracts barbecue teams from throughout the South to compete for trophies and cash prizes in categories including chicken, pork ribs, brisket, overall grand champion and people’s choice award. Click here to register a team for the competition or here for sponsorship info.
While much of the event revolves around the teams, there’ll be lots for the public to enjoy on Saturday, April 25. Here’s the complete schedule. At 12:30 p.m., the people’s choice award competition takes place. During this portion of the competition, members of the public can taste samples of ‘cue and cast votes for their favorites. This can get a little confusing, I admit – you’ve kind of gotta walk right up and ask “Are you guys competing for people’s choice?” – but for outgoing barbecue lovers, this could be the most delicious 2.5 hours of the year. Last year, I sampled unforgettable brisket, pork ribs and whole hog-style pulled pork, all from different teams, as well as an insane creation called “The Porkinator,” an andouille sausage-stuffed, bacon-wrapped pork loin served by a team of CPAs competing under the admirable name Certified Pork Assassins.
There’ll also be live music by the Blake Brothers Bluegrass Band, mechanical bull rides, vendor exhibits and a play area for kids. Proceeds from the BBQ Cook-off will go towards the Ark-La-Tex Ambassadors’ college scholarship essay contest for local high school seniors. All in all, it’s a fun weekend of competition for BBQ teams and a great afternoon outing for barbecue lovers.
For more information, visit the official website.
