Know an aspiring young cook, or any young person who has expressed an interest in cooking? Consider signing ’em up for the 2017 Grillin’ for Grads Kids Cook-Off, which has just opened registration. The cook-off is open to kids ages 6-17, and will take place on the morning of Saturday, Apr. 8 at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport. The kids cook-off will award first and second place trophies in two age categories and all kids who register will be provided with a kid-sized grill, charcoal, competition meat and “everything else that’s required to have a good time.” The registration fee is $25 and all kids who take part will keep their grill and competition apron. Only 40 spots are available and the sign-up form is here.
The kids cook-off will take place on the second day of the Ark-La-Tex Ambassadors’ fifth annual Grillin’ for Grads BBQ Cook-off, which is also currently registering adult teams for their National Barbecue Festival-sanctioned event. One of the best-kept food secrets in Shreveport-Bossier is the public component of this event, which begins when gates open at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 8 and gives barbecue fanatics the chance to sample as much barbecue as possible and cast a vote for the people’s choice award.
Here’s some video from last year’s first-ever Grillin’ for Grads Kids Cook-Off:
Aside from my annual, three-hour race to consume as many barbecue samples as possible, my favorite part of this event is the fact that all proceeds raised are used for an annual college scholarship essay contest benefiting an Ark-La-Tex student. If there’s anything better than spending an afternoon eating quality barbecue, it’s doing so in support of a good cause.
Like the Grillin’ for Grads Facebook page.
Photo: Barbecue samples are handed out during the Grillin’ for Grads BBQ Cook-Off. Photo by Casey Habich.
