BBQ Bash has room for locals, too

Out-of-state competitors are expected for this weekend’s Bayou BBQ Bash in Morgan City. But there’s still room for local barbecue chefs, too.
Local contestants can sign up until 5 p.m. Friday for a shot at the trophy that goes to St. Mary Parish’s champion, said Bill Goessl, who is coordinating the event.
The Bayou BBQ Bash will begin with a meet-the-cooks event Thursday night at Hampton Inn & Suites. The event opens under the bridge near Second Street in Morgan City on Friday, followed by the meat of the competition Saturday.
The Bayou BBQ Bash is sanctioned by the Barbecue Competitors Alliance. The alliance will sanction 14 events between the Bash and a Biloxi, Mississippi, competition in June 2022.
The contestants take their barbecue seriously. Last year, the Bash was slimmed down to competition only with no music or food vendors because of COVID-19. But 39 competitors came to Morgan City anyway.
Goessl is a member of the Marine Corps League, which is running the Bash for the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce. He expects between 40 and 50 competitors, including chefs from Texas, Mississippi and Alabama.
They’ll compete in three categories: chicken, ribs and brisket.
The judging will be at noon for chicken, 1:30 p.m. for ribs and 3 p.m. for brisket.
The award ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m.
Cannata’s will again sponsor a Kids Q barbecue contest for young people early Saturday.
This year, the Bash will have live music, barbecue and other food for sale, and arts and crafts on display along Front Street to Greenwood.
On the music schedule are Cliff Hillebran, 6-9 p.m. Friday, and Krossover, noon-4 p.m. Saturday.
East Gate Barbeque and Goessl’s The Smokehouse will be selling barbecue, and Xtreme Sports will have hamburgers and fries. Cher t’Dough’s artisanal bakery items and Sno on the Go snowballs will be available.
Beer will also be sold.