Bring on the 'Q
Pigmasters Challenge returns to Rutherford College next weekend
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Bill Poteat
Editor Emeritus
Rutherford College Mayor Yates Jensen takes his responsibilities very seriously and one of those is to sample each of the meats at the Pigmasters competition.
Judging The Pigmasters Challenge is serious. Note the water bottles and unsalted crackers on the table, the only “side items” the judges are allowed.
The annual Pigmasters Barbecue Challenge returns to Rutherford College next weekend on Sept. 18, 19, and 20.
The event is sponsored annually by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbecue.
The society is the world’s largest organization of barbecue and grilling enthusiasts with more than 16,000 members worldwide.
This will mark the sixth year that Rutherford College has hosted the competition which draws grill masters from around the region to compete for thousands of dollars in prize money.
The competitors will set up on the grounds of the Rutherford College Town Hall and visitors are welcome to walk among the grilling stations and watch the chefs as they work.
The schedule for the event:
- Thursday, Sept. 18, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., competing teams begin arriving.
- Friday, Sept. 19, includes a cook team meeting at 4 p.m., the Burger Battle at 6 p.m. with judging from 6:15-7 p.m., and the Dessert Wars from 7-8 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept 20, will feature food turn-ins and judging throughout the afternoon, with the awards ceremony at 4 p.m.
This competition is judged not by local grillers but rather by Kansas City Barbecue Society Certified Barbecue Judges, who descend on Rutherford College from around the region.
To become a certified judge, a person must be at least 16 and have completed the Barbecue Society’s training class.
To become a Master Certified Barbecue Judge, a person must cook with a team at a contest, (at which they are not judging, of course) receive a good score in the contest and pass an online test.
This year’s competition will include more than 30 teams with creative names such as “Cool Hand Que,” “Wine, Dine, and Swine Me,” “Pyro Pigs,” and “Pigs on Fire.”
BBQ masters will show their skills at cooking pork shoulders, ribs, chicken, and brisket and also in special competitions involving hamburgers and turkey.
Friday evening’s Burger Battle is sponsored by Highlands Butchery and a dessert competition, “Dessert Wars” will also be held that night.
Local sponsors for the event include Foothills Broadband, College Pines Health and Rehabilitation, KCS Professional Cleaning Services, Farris Insurance Agency, Christ Classical Academy, Castle Bridge Marina, Connelly Springs Electric, and ZRO Delta. Another sponsor is the N.C. Soybean Producers Association.
On Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Christ Classical Academy, whose campus is adjacent to the Town Hall, will host “Pigmaster Palooza.”
This event will be a sort of mini fall festival, featuring vendors, inflatables, games, food, and live music.
Also on Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Draughn High School will be hosting the “People’s Choice Fundraiser” at the town’s Municipal Park, at 950 Malcolm Blvd.
During those hours, customers will be able to purchase a variety of smoked meats. Advanced tickets for this event are recommended and may be reserved by calling the high school at 828-879-4200.
Bill Poteat is editor emeritus. He may be reached at 828-445-8595 or bill@thepaper.media.
