The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest in Memphis, Tennessee is heating up as pitmasters from across the country and around the world vie for the title of “best in pork.” With over $150,000 in prize money on the line, the competition is fierce and the stakes are high.
Among the competitors are Brad Orrison and Brooke Lewis, siblings from Mississippi who have been competing as a team for 17 years. They have already won the grand championship twice and are back this year with two Duroc hogs carefully prepared for the competition.
For Orrison and Lewis, the contest is like the Super Bowl of swine, a chance to showcase their skills and passion for barbecue. They see the competition as a family reunion of sorts, where they can connect with friends from all over the country who share their love for cooking.
But when it comes down to Saturday, the friendly atmosphere turns competitive as each team vies for the top spot. According to Lewis, “Saturday you can hear a pin prick in the park.”
The judges have a tough job ahead of them, as Orrison notes that all the teams cook the best food in the world. With so much talent and dedication on display, the competition is sure to be intense and the flavors unforgettable.
As the contest continues through Saturday, all eyes are on Memphis as the pitmasters battle it out for barbecue supremacy.