CHAMBER REACH TO COOK WITH BARBECUE COMPETITION

Who's the barbecue king of the hill? The winner may emerge during a barbecue cookout scheduled Aug. 20-21 at Arena Park.

"The reason for the barbecue cookout is to promote beef and pork to the surrounding area and how these meats are good for you," says Russ Mothershead, committee chair. "We are trying to promote a very positive image for these types of meat, along with the Missouri Cattlemen Association and the Missouri Pork Producers."

These two groups are also joining the chamber's agri-business committee in sponsoring the cookout, and will be donating the meat to be barbecued by the teams.

Mothershead says, "We feel there has been a lot of bad press lately over these meats' nutritional value. We've even seen beef and pork consumption go down across the country. But they really are good for you."

On the day of the contest, informational booths on the nutritional values of pork and beef will also set up in the park.

"We must help to reacquaint Americans with the safety and the nutritional and delicious value of beef and pork," Mothershead says.

This cookout gives area amateurs a chance to show off. The competition is open to the entire region, and teams can range from two to 15 members. They hope to have at least 40 teams participate this year. There is a $15 entry fee per team.

On Aug. 20, the cookout will begin as a social event, Mothershead says. "The teams will set up and cook some meat for members of their team."

Music will help establish a relaxed, party atmosphere. "It's going to be very informal," he says. "The hope is that on Friday night, since everyone should know each other, that they will spend some time socializing. We invite everyone to come and bring their children because it's going to be a big social event."

The contest will begin at 6 a.m. Aug. 21. The public is invited to come out and watch the competition. Teams will be cooking in different classes like burgers, beef kebabs, ribs and pork butts.

The judging will take place at noon and the winners in each class will be awarded prizes from the corporate sponsors.

Currently, the committee is searching for corporate sponsors. As promotion for the cookout heats up, he hopes they have a minimum of 25 sponsors who will also enter a team.

In addition, chamber business members will be invited to set up booths offering food items for sale. The reason for this is because only team members or the judges can consume the contest samples, he says.

"Our hope is that the cookout will open up opportunities for the chamber members to sell their products."

This is the first barbecue cookout hosted by the agri-business committee. In addition to promoting beef and pork industries, committee members also want to promote Cape Girardeau.

"Agriculture is a big part of the area's economy," he says. "A lot of money is being spent by the agriculture producer and the consumer in the area."