Charcoal & More, a Sellersburg, Ind., bastion of cool barbecue tools, smokers and specialty hardwoods and charcoals, is sponsoring a barbecue battle cum fundraiser this Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at Kye’s (500 Missouri Ave.) in Jeffersonville.
According to a news release, the 2012 BBQ Showdown will feature a blend of six pit masters, chefs and celebrity smokers competing to prepare the best baby back ribs (the judges panel will include yours truly, so don’t let that diminish your quality perception of the contest).
Barbecue fans can support the cause to help CASA (Court Appointed Special advocate Association) by sitting down for a barbecue dinner with several hundred of their closest friends, said organizer Hal Wagner, owner of Charcoal & More.
“We’ll be cooking 80 pork butts for the dinner,” said Wagner, adding that ticket prices are $25 each, and the dinner includes the standard sides. Kids under 12 can get hot dogs and sides for free. “That price is a donation to raise funds for CASA.”
CASA’s mission is to provide adult advocacy and support in America’s courts for abused and neglected children who lack the information and ability to represent themselves. Some 60,000 CASA volunteers serve more than 240,000 children through 954 program offices across the U.S. and the Virgin Islands.
Wagner’s mother was a long-term CASA volunteer, which makes the fundraiser a personal effort, he said.
“There are a lot of great charities in our area, but I feel sometimes CASA doesn’t get the love those do—and there’s a huge need for it,” he said. His goal is to raise $50,000 for the two Kentuckiana associations. “So, yeah, this kind of in memory of my mom and her work with the group.”
Barbecuers at the event include: Mark Williams (Brown -Forman executive chef), Dan Thomas (JCPS commissary chef and American Culinary Federation, Kentucky Chapter chair), Gary Dean (pit master at Mark’s Feed Store); Ann Race (chef at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Louisville), Terry Rodman (pit master at Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot); and the celebrity team of Jessica Oh and Natalie Grise (reporters at WLKY TV).
“Judging will follow KCBS (Kansas City Barbecue Society) standards, and each judge will get instruction from us,” Wagner said. All judges will be sequestered for private scoring. “We’ll be judging for six separate scores, including things like taste, tenderness, smoke and others.”
Since Kye’s is a large indoor facility, the event will be held rain or shine. So get your tickets now by clicking here.
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