Judges, chefs serious about ‘Grillin for Life’ JACKSON — “With the end of summer approaching quickly, there’s still a little time left to enjoy a fun and relaxing weekend activity very close to home,” said Gerry Clark, one of the organizers of the 4th annual “Grillin’ for Life” barbeque cook-off.
The event, sponsored by Central Mississippi Knights of Columbus councils, will be held again at St. Joseph High School on New Mannsdale Road (Highway. 463) on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1-2.
Admission is free. “Free admission means you can feel ‘free’ to drop by 5-9 p.m. Friday or 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday,” Clark said.
“Come to enjoy the arts & crafts booths, live music, magician Cary Fleming, and of course, some fantastic barbeque meals. And if you fancy yourself an expert barbeque chef, check out the remaining opportunities to sign up as an official cooking team. Details are at www.grillinforlife.com.”
Clark and his friends with the Knights of Columbus created the Grillin’ for Life event to be a good way to get together with fellow barbeque enthusiasts and raise money for a great cause.
“For families wanting an enjoyable weekend activity, it’s a great time,” Clark says. “For barbeque cooking teams, it’s a chance to compete for prizes, trophies and bragging rights.”
Clark said the event is also designed to raise awareness of how people can get help from, and help, important charities that are taking care of women and children.
According to organizers, “Grillin’ for Life” has given away about $15,000 to charities that help women in unplanned pregnancies and their unborn children. Recipients have included Birthright, Choose Life Mississippi, Christmas Village, Mississippi Baptist Christian Action Commission and Pro-Life Mississippi.
The entertainment schedule planned is as follows:
Friday:
5 p.m. - Dee Dee Gross
6 p.m. Cary Fleming “The Magician”
7 p.m. - The Treblemakers
8 p.m. - Diamondback, Madison Central High students band
Saturday:
11 a.m. - Clayton Roberts
Noon - Diamondback
1 p.m.- Liz Daniels
2 p.m. - Evelyn Adams and Cynthia Goodloe Palmer
3:30 p.m. - Cary Fleming “The Magician”
This year’s “Grillin’ for Life” barbeque cook-off will have four separate competition categories: chicken, pork ribs, pork butt/picnic/whole shoulder, and beef brisket. A team may compete in one, two, three, or all four categories.
To compete for Grand Champion, the team must be entered in all four categories.
Southern Living magazine’s cooking team, featuring Troy Black, is one of the pro teams that will be present along with Tennessee’s state championship team.
“That means serious judges and serious chefs are among the professionals participating in the competition,” Clark said. Black, is an award-winning barbeque chef and educator who fell in love with barbeque while on assignment with Southern Living magazine.
Each category will have a first, second and third place and a grand champion. Five-thousand dollars will be awarded in prizes.
Entry fees are: $125 for any one category, $200 to enter any two categories, $250 to enter three categories, and $300 to enter all four categories.
For information on how to participate in the program, donate supplies, be a sponsor, enter your team into the cook-off contest, or purchase advanced tickets, call Clark, 601-214-9463. Email Gerry or visit Grillin For Life online.
