The charcoal was hot and so was the competition for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce BBQ Fest.
More than 150 individuals were involved in the competition for the giant grand champion trophy and $200 cash prize.
The Chaffee Ribs & Butts team, a third-place finisher in last year's contest, emerged the grand prize winner this time around, finishing in front of First Missouri Terminal and Midwest Agri-Chemical.
Each of the 27 teams in the competition featured from six to 10 members. Members of the grand champion team were Jim Fowler, Richard Hodge, Larry Gluek, Donnie Kiefer, Richard Graviett and Roger Seyer.
The grand champions had to enter four of the six categories to win. Joe Perry Rice, a co-chairman of the event, announced winners and Tom Schulte, chairman of the Agri-Business Committee which sponsors the two-day festival, passed out the awards.
Division winners, who each received $50: Heartland Seepwater Cookers, hamburgers; Thorngate, beef kabobs; Ricky Rover Rooter Roasters, Pork ribs; Midwest Agri-Chemical, pork steaks; Black Dog Barbecue Team, Boston butts; First Missouri Terminal, filet mignon.
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