McDade Watermelon Festival BBQ Cook-off

SANCTIONED BY

The MWF Cook-off follows the CBA rules that can be found at:

Sanctioned By: CHAMPIONS Barbecue Alliance 

MWF will be hosting their 3rd BBQ Cook Off. Pitmasters will compete in categories of Brisket, Pork Spare ribs, and Chicken. There will be Jackpots for Margarita, Salsa, Beans, and an Open (NO DESSERT) Category.

Entry - $200
Cash payout and prizes will be paid for 1st - 3rd place.
Jackpots - $25/each
Payout for jackpots will depend on the number of entries.

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Rules:

1. This is an amateur cooking contest, and it is intended that there be no further distinctions regarding entry classifications.

2. Only ONE team per barbecue pit will be allowed.

3. Barbecue, for the purpose of this contest, is defined as raw or uncured meat prepared over a wood or charcoal fire, basted or not, as the cook sees fit.

4. Meat is subject to inspection prior to cooking.  Pre-seasoning is not allowed.  Please check with cookoff officials before beginning seasoning or marinating. Any meat found not in compliance with this rule will be disqualified.

5. Approved meat and chicken must remain in the contest area.

6. All entries must be prepared in as sanitary a manner as possible. All applicable local health department rules and regulations must be complied with.

7. All applicable local fire department rules and regulations must be complied with.

8. All fires used to prepare meat in this contest must be of wood, charcoal or wood products.

9. Fires are not to be built on the ground. Holes or pits will not be allowed.

10. Absolutely no firearms or explosives will be allowed.

11. There will be no refund of entry fees for any reason and the decision(s) of the host contest committee head judge and judges are final.

3 Meats – Will follow CBA guidelines $200 entry fee

Chicken: enough for 6 judges required, no pulled or shredded allowed. No garnish allowed. Foil provided by CBA must be placed unfolded at the bottom of the tray.

Pork Ribs: enough for 6 judges is required. Pork Spare ribs and St. Louis cut are allowed. Must be bone in, individually cut. No garnish allowed. Foil provided by CBA must be placed unfolded at the bottom of the tray.

Brisket: enough for 6 judges is required. Slices and or burnt ends allowed. No garnish allowed. Foil provided by CBA must be placed unfolded at the bottom of the tray. Garnish is defined as anything other than the designated category protein.

Jackpot Categories $25-each entry fee

Beans: Teams must start with dry pinto beans.  Teams may cook with meat or other ingredients for seasoning.  However, at turn in nothing larger than the bean is allowed in the cup.  Beans will be Judged Saturday Morning.

Open/Cook’s Choice: Entries should showcase your pitmaster abilities and can contain proteins as well as fruit and vegetables.  But it should not be something that would be considered a dessert.  Entries must be cooked on a BBQ pit using wood, charcoal or wood products as a heat source.  Judging for Cook’s Choice will be Friday night. 

Margarita Contest: Contestants will be provided a cup for turning in their margaritas.  Judging will be based on taste and will not include showmanship.   There are no restrictions on ingredients to be used in your margaritas.  Have Fun!!!  Judging for the Margarita contest will be Friday Night.

Salsa Contest: Salsa entries must be homemade.  Use of canned ingredients is acceptable.  Entries may be cooked or un-cooked as desired by the participant.  Ingredient pieces must be small/chopped... extremely large chunks will not be acceptable.  Entries must have the consistency of salsa (For example No Guacamole or Pico de Gallo will be accepted).  Salsa does not have to be prepared on the BBQ pit.   Salsa will be Judged Saturday Morning.  ​

BENEFITS LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS!

Contact Steve (512) 784-6143 or Zachary (956) 307-2152 for more information.

JULY 11th & 12th 2025

CHECK IN - THURSDAY

MARGARITA & OPEN JACKPOTS - FRIDAY

SALSA & BEANS JACKPOTS - SATURDAY

Head Judge: Adriana (832) 745-0974​