LOCAL COUPLE JUDGE MEAT IN INTERNATIONAL BBQ EVENT

Charlie and Ruthie Knote recently served as barbecue judges at the American Royal's International BBQ contest in Kansas City.

"Two major cookoffs were held," said Charlie Knote. "The invitational cookoff consisted of 45 teams, each of which had won a major regional barbecue contest."

A total of 216 teams were entered in the open cookoff, which was won by a Kansas City team.

Each team had to barbecue six meats and each meat entry was judged for its barbecued appearance, tenderness and flavor.

Among other judges at the contest were John Shoup of "Great Chefs" television program; Wyn Bellerjeau of the "Memphis in May" contest; Leslie Bloom, a Washington, D.C., food columnist; and Bobbi Marks, Kansas City KNHN-radio food broadcaster.

Knote appeared on the Marks show, "Dining with Bobbi," and discussed the Knotes' new barbecue cookbook, "Barbecuing & Sausage Making Secrets."

"The 1990s will be a barbecuing decade," said Knote. "Barbecue contests are a developing and shared sport by both men and women and an increased interest is evidenced by increases in contests."

The American Royal BBQ contests started in 1979 with only eight teams.

Knote is a regular barbecue and food columnist for the Southeast Missourian's monthly magazine insert, "The Best Years."

"Plans are being made to conduct a barbecue contest in Cape Girardeau in 1993," said Knote. "It will be a backyard contest with no experience necessary."

The contest will be open to anyone who likes to barbecue pork and beef.