Got a junior pitmaster in the household?
The Canadian BBQ and Chili Festival this weekend has added a KidsQ, children’s barbecue competition to the events.
It’s open to kids under 16 and limited to the first 15 to register. People can bring their own barbecue or ask to be put onto a competition team. It’s free for kids, and the meat is sponsored and supplied.
The first prize, in addition to a trophy, will be $100 with second receiving $50 and a trophy.
Register online through ccbbqs.com. That’s also where other competitors go to sign up and where people can learn more.
The other festival events include the chili and barbecue contests. This is the biggest barbecue contest in Western Canada with more than $15,000 in prizes.
When people arrive on scene at the Coast Hotel and Convention Centre parking lot, they will be greeted by firefighters selling admission wristbands ($5 minimum donation suggested). The festival benefits theBurn Fund.
Visitors can wander the site and enjoy samples.
Saturday is devoted to chili, Texas style (no beans, just meat and sauce). Judges can’t even find pieces of vegetables or garlic in the entries. That can result in disqualification.
Also on Saturday will be the Best Darn Burger Championships and the Chefs Challenge. Teams are given a mystery protein to turn into a tasty dish. In the past, that has included kangaroo loin, rack of muskox, bison sirloin and Arctic char.
Public samples are limited on the two side competitions but there’s lots of chili.
Sunday is all about barbecue with contests for pork shoulder, beef brisket, chicken and pork ribs.
Winners qualify for higher level events such as the Jack Daniels Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, Tennessee, the American Royal in Kansas City and The World Food Championships in Orlando, Fla.