Prize pool doubles for Bayou BBQ Bash

The Bayou BBQ Bash is back, pitting barbecue chefs and their teams in a contest for $10,000 in prize money.
This year’s Barbecue Competitors Alliance-sanctioned event will be Friday and Saturday, July 24 and 25, under the U.S. 90 bridge in Morgan City.
Teams from around the region will once more compete for the big prizes in the chicken, rib and brisket categories.
Familiar events will return to the bash, including the Mata Tellman dessert competition and the Cannata’s-sponsored Kids Q contest.
Organizer Bill Goessl of the Marine Corps League’s St. Mary Detachment, which hosts the BBQ Bash, said there will be a Taster’s Choice event this year.
Each entrant in the barbecue competition will have the chance to submit a tray. Attendees who pay $10 for a wrist band will have access to samples and the chance to cast a vote for their Taster’s Choice.
The prize fund has also doubled. The St. Mary Detachment put up $5,000, matched by the Houma-Terrebonne Marine Corps League Detachment.
The grand champion will win a trophy belt buckle made by Montana Silversmiths and sponsored locally by Master Electric Service of Morgan City.
Friday’s events include a mandatory cook’s meeting and a white beans and catfish dinner at 5 p.m. After dinner, cooks will fire up their grills and begin work for Saturday’s judging.
The dessert competition will also be Friday.
Swampland Revival will play 6-9 p.m.
Judging is scheduled to begin at noon Saturday with the chicken category. Ribs will be judged at 1:30 p.m., followed at 3 p.m. with the brisket judging. The presentation of awards will follow.
Saturday is also the day for the Kid’s Q contest.
JJ Starbuck will play 10 a.m.-1 p.m. followed at by Cliff Hillebran 1-4 p.m.
Food and beer will be available, and arts and crafts will be on display.