Photo: Jamie Smallwood / EyeEm / EyeEm / Getty Images
(Clive, IA) -- Registration is open for this year's Backyard BBQ Competition in Des Moines. The June 22nd competition will be held in the Principal Park ballpark parking lot. The event also features pork samples, beer, cooking demonstrations, and music. The Iowa Pork Producers will award cash prizes to the best grillers totaling $10,000. The deadline to claim one of 30 spots is May 15th.
“We take great pride in promoting delicious Iowa pork, and this is a fun chance for barbecue enthusiasts to step up to the plate, show us what they’ve got, and potentially walk away with bragging rights and a trophy,” said Matt Gent, IPPA president and a pig farmer from Wellman.
The main contest consists of three categories — pork loin, pork butt, and St. Louis-style ribs — and six certified judges will score each entry based on appearance, taste, and tenderness. Those who compete in all three pork categories are eligible to win $1,500 for Grand Champion, the highest overall combined score, or $1,000 for Reserve Champion, the second-highest score.
Prizes for the top five in each category (loin, butt, and ribs):
- First — $1,000
- Second — $600
- Third — $300
- Fourth — $150
- Fifth — $75
Participants are required to cook a few more pork butts and loins for the People’s Choice portion of the contest. BBQ & Brew attendees will have an opportunity to taste samples from the competitors, and vote for their favorite. The winner of each category will receive $1,500 cash, and another $1,500 to donate to a hunger-relief charity of his or her choice.
For full contest information and to register, visit iowapork.org/bbq-brew.
Admission tickets for BBQ & Brew will go on sale to the public soon.
All proceeds benefit food pantries around the state.