Contests for BBQ Teams5 items

• Anything BUT

  Unleashing the creativity of team cooks, this competition is judged as a separate contest. The intent of this contest is to provide a medium for all teams to compete in cooking items other than the pork categories in a MBN Contest. Examples include; chicken, beef, alligator, seafood and exotic. All entries must be cooked on-site, and basic blind judging rules will apply! The judging begins at 7:00pm. (MBN & Backyard Grillers). Winning team receives $150 and a prize ribbon.
  Entry fee of $10.00
  
  Suggested Separate Categories:
  Beef - Any portion of domestic beef cattle. Exotic or cross breeds such as Water Buffalo or Beefalo should be entered in the "Other" category.
  Grilled Chicken - Any portion of the barnyard or free range domestic chicken which should be grilled, smoked, or barbecued. Fried chicken and all other poultry, such as cornish game hens, turkey, ostrich, etc., should be entered in the "Poultry" or "Other" category.
  Poultry - Any fowl, domestic or foreign, prepared in any manner. This category could include chicken, turkey, game hens, ostrich, water fowl, etc.
  Seafood - Any fish or shellfish from fresh or salt water and may be cooked in any manner. Frog, turtle, etc. should be entered in the "Other" category.
  Other - Meat or products not meeting the definition of any previous categories

• Best Booth

  Saturday, September 11th at 10:30am (MBN & Backyard Griller Teams)
  
  So you can cook pork but can you showcase your booth in a creative and fun way? Our 1st annual Best Booth contest was a huge hit last year that there was no second guessing this year to have it again. Official rules coming soon! Winning team gets bragging rights and a prize ribbon.
  No entry fee required.

• Best Sauce

  Do you think you have what it takes to make the best sauce? Well then sign up for the 1st annual Best Sauce contest! Teams can enter their best sauces in the following categories: Tomato, Vinegar or Mustard. Judging will be by blind scoring. Details coming soon...
  No entry fee is required.

• Bloody Mary Contest

  Come on down for the 3rd Annual Bloody Mary Contest! The judges for the contest will be the amazing runners from the Saturday morning Hog Jog at 8am so come on down. Details coming soon...
  No entry fee required.

• People's Choice

  Calling all BBQ lovers! This contest is for the people and provided by the MBN BBQ teams. Teams competing in this category will be judged by the general public. Make your ‘cue just right to satisfy anyone’s taste buds. Winning team receives $250 and a prize ribbon.
  Entry fee of $10.00

 

Team Information3 items

• MBN Teams

  Each team will receive ONE 20'x40' space with access to portable water and porta-jons. Electrical power can be purchased separately. All teams are expected to provide their own meat seasonings, cooking devices, wood and/or coals, utensils, prep tables, etc. Ice will be available on-site for purchase.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: BY SIGNING UP FOR MORE THAN 1 CATEGORY THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU GET AN ADDITIONAL SPACE. YOU MUST PAY IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL SPACE!
  
  "****NEW THIS YEAR! YOU CAN NOT REQUEST TO BE PLACED NEXT TO ANOTHER TEAM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE NEXT TO EACH OTHER PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY AND DRIVE IN TOGETHER TO ENSURE YOUR SPOT!"
  
  Memphis Barbecue Network
  
  Memphis Barbecue Network encourages serious competition among barbecue enthusiasts by providing a uniform set of rules and regulations governing the process of selecting contest winners. Each MBN Grand Champion receives a paid, guaranteed entry in the Memphis Barbecue Network Championship Barbecue Contest!

• Teams, Go Green!

  Blues, Brews & BBQ is a "Green" Event!
  
  Once again this event will integrate eco-friendly practices and promote environmental responsibility. All teams and vendors must comply with environmental standards of the festival including:
  -Collect waste water (no run off into storm drains or ground whatsoever)
  -Recycle plastic bottles, glass, cans & cardboard into appropriate receptacles
  -Collect grease and ash in marked containers provided at the end of the competition

• Backyard Griller Teams

  This special competition is designed to encourage local participation and camaraderie. The following rules and regulations differ from the Memphis Barbecue Network, so please read carefully.
  
  *Team or head cook must not have competed in Memphis Barbecue Network Contest. This does not include previously competing in Blues, Brews & BBQ Backyard Grillers competition.
  *Total grill area is NO LARGER than 15 square feet
  *Teams can use charcoal, wood, or propane gas to cook
  *Competitions is limited to Spare Ribs, Loin Ribs (NO country-style ribs) and Boston Butts ONLY
  *LIMITED TO 40 TEAMS, BASED ON FIRST COME FIRST SERVE
  *NO restaurant affiliations are acceptable
  
  1) Each team will receive ONE 10'x10' space with access to portable water and porta jons.
  2) Electrical power and porta-jons can be purchased separately.
  3) All teams are expected to provide their own seasonings, tents, cooking devices, wood and/or charcoal, propane, utensils, prep tables, etc. Ice will be available for purchase on-site.
  4) Each team will turn in sample(s) for Blind Judging ONLY and enough for 5 to 6 "hungry" judges. There will be NO on-site judging for the Backyard Grillers division.
  5) Each team will receive a container (compostable "to go" box) to put your team's entry meat in for the competition in addition to a sauce container, lid, utensils, etc. You will receive this at the mandatory Team Meeting on Friday at 5pm.
  
  When turning in your team entry, do NOT include the following:
  -any other food items other than prepared pork
  -garnishes (ex: pineapple rings, tomato wedge, etc)
  -foil
  
  You MAY however put down lettuce before putting your meat into your container
  
  PLEASE NOTE: BY SIGNING UP FOR MORE THAN 1 CATEGORY THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU GET AN ADDITIONAL SPACE. YOU MUST PAY IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL SPACE!
  
  ****NEW THIS YEAR! YOU CAN NOT REQUEST TO BE PLACED NEXT TO ANOTHER TEAM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE NEXT TO EACH OTHER PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY AND DRIVE IN TOGETHER TO ENSURE YOUR SPOT!

 

FAQs7 items

• Download Uptown Map [PDF]

• Event Hours

  September 10th & 11th, 2010
  
  Friday: 11:00a.m.-11:00p.m. (Midway Madness opening at 5pm)
  Saturday: 11:00a.m.-11:00p.m.

• Admission

  FREE General Admission

• Weather Policy

  Blues, Brews & BBQ is a rain or shine event.

• Rules

  For a safe and memorable event, please leave the following items at home:
  - Backpacks
  - ALL beverages, including alcohol
  - Coolers/Outside Food
  - Cans or glass bottles
  - Contraband
  - Bicycles
  - Skateboards
  - In-line skates
  - Pets (seeing eye dogs or dogs specifically trained to assist the impaired are allowed)

• Parking

  Parking is available at many parking garages in Uptown. Please download the PDF Map of Uptown indicating where parking is located!

• In Case of Emergency

  Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department will be on hand to ensure your safety. Call 911 for medical emergencies.

 

Competition Rules & Categories2 items

• MBN Competition Rules & Categories:

  Click Here for the 2010 Instruction Manual for MBN teams for official rules!
  
  Barbecue is defined by the Memphis Barbecue Network as UNCURED FRESH OR FROZEN pork meat, cooked only on a wood and/or charcoal fire, which may or may not be basted. Prior to the official meat inspection, the pork for the contest may not be pre-cooked, sauced, spiced, injected, marinated or cured in any way, or otherwise pre-treated.
  
  Each team is responsible for maintaining the meat at a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit prior to cooking, and at or above 140 degrees Fahrenheit after cooking. They must exercise good hygienic practices.
  
  Flammables such as propane, compressed or liquid gas may be used ONLY to START the INITIAL fire. Once the meat has been placed within the cooker no type of flammables may be used. To make additional coals, flammables may be used outside and away from the cooker. Local fire and safety laws may dictate whether any type of gas will be allowed.
  
  Electrical devices that do not generate heat such as rotisseries, fans and delivery systems for approved fules (i.e. Traeger Grills) may be used within the cooker. Electric smokers, holding ovens or other devices with heat producing elements are not allowed.

• 3 Categories Eligible for the Grand Prize Championship

  To participate in our other contests please check out our Backyard Grillers information on the FYC website.
  
  Pork Shoulder as defined by the Memphis Barbecue Network is the portion of the hog containing the arm and shank bones, with a portion of the blade bone. The pork ham that contains the hind leg bone will be considered as a shoulder entry. Boston butts or picnic shoulders are not valid entries.
  
  Judging for this category will take place on Saturday, September 11 at 10:00am
  
  Whole Hog as defined by the Memphis Barbecue Network is an entire hog which must be cooked as one complete unit on one grill surface whose dressed weight is 85 pounds or more prior to the removal of the head, feet and skin. No portion or portions of the whole hog may be separated or removed, and then returned to the grill, prior to or during the cooking process.
  
  Judging for this category will take place on Saturday, September 11 at 11:15am
  
  Pork Rib as defined by the Memphis Barbecue Network is the portion containing the ribs and classified as a spare rib or loin ribportion. Country style ribs are not valid entries.
  
  Judging for this category will take place on Saturday, September 11 at 12:30pm

Click above for volunteer info!