Diamond Lake Resort will be filled with sweet smelling smoke as they host the 9th annual “Grillin N’ Chillin” state barbecue championship cookoff on Saturday. So far, 43 of the best cooking teams from 5 states will compete for over $10,000 in prize money. Judges rule according to Kansas City Barbecue Society rules and regulations in four categories: chicken, pork ribs, pork, and beef brisket. They payout for Top 5 overall and Top 10 in each category. That’s good news for the teams.
Now here’s the good news for us: there is also a “people’s choice” award, so for $7 the public can taste samples from each team and vote on their favorite.
Terry Stinnett, who founded Grillin N’ Chillin, says it started as a way to promote competition BBQ to the Owensboro/Daviess County area. Eventually it grew into a fundraiser for local charities. Board members decide where the proceeds will be donated, but the recipient of this year’s proceeds can’t be announced because of the United Way blackout period.
Diamond Lakes seems to be the perfect location for a BBQ competition like this. “The main thing for us was that the water and electric hookups were already here,” Stinnett explained. “Our cooks love Diamond Lakes because of all the shade and the family atmosphere. The public likes coming out and intermingling with the cooks and seeing up close how the competition works.”
So if you’re in the mood for barbecue this Saturday, now you know exactly where to go!
