KENNETT WILL HOST STATEWIDE BARBECUE COOK OFF

KENNETT -- Barbecue gurus will come to Kennett from 200 miles away June 26-27 for the 11th annual Show Me State Championship Barbecue Cookoff.

"We're pretty excited about it. We stay excited about it," said Frank Carter, a member of the Kennett Jaycees which organizes the event each year.

The barbecue contests consist of three divisions: ribs, shoulder and whole hog.

"It's a two-day event," Carter said. "People will come on Friday and get set up. Friday is usually just a big party.

"Then the cooking starts Saturday morning, unless they're in the shoulder or whole hog event; they have to start those cooking on Friday. The competition is Saturday morning."

Carter said interest in the competition is high, and organizers might be forced to limit entries this year.

"We usually have 20 to 25 people," he said. "Last year we had 28 and we just couldn't handle it.

"We have entrants signed up from Murphysboro, Ill., Jeffersonville, Ind., and Memphis. They usually come from up to 200 miles away."

Other than the limitation on the number of competitors, there are no restrictions on participation.

"Anyone can enter," he said. "A lot of the competition is people that have companies. My bank has a team. The company foots the bill, because it is kind of expensive. We also have a lot of individuals entered."

According to Carter, there is a $50 entry fee for each category. Participants must fill out an application, which is available from Carter. There still are plenty of spots open, and the registration deadline is June 23.

Judging also is taken very seriously and involves an intricate routine, Carter said.

"It's a really complicated process," he said.

Carter said the judges are approved by "Memphis in May," a month-long festival that includes one of the nation's largest barbecue contests.

Competitors are judged on the neatness and appearance of their cooking area; the tenderness and flavor of the meat and how well it's done; the flavor of the sauce; and the judges' overall impression.

"Each category carries different weight," Carter said. "Then the scores are run through a computer to find the highest point cumulative."

First, second and third place prizes are awarded in each category, before four finals judges taste all nine of the winning entries and pick the Grand Champion, Carter said.

In the rib and shoulder divisions, the prizes are $250, $100 and $50 for the top three finishers.

In the whole hog division, prizes are $300, $150 and $75, and the overall Grand Champion receives an additional $500, five 13-inch televisions and a guaranteed paid entry to next year's "Memphis In May."

The Kennett cookoff begins a week-long celebration that ends with a Jaycees fireworks display on the Fourth of July.

Other events of the week include a week-long carnival and a car show on Saturday, Carter said.

For additional information, contact Carter at 888-4923.