Barbecue contests bring fun, economic vitality

The barbecue contest season has begun in what Kansas City Barbecue Society co-founder and executive director Carolyn Wells calls the “epicenter of the barbecue universe.”

“Barbecue is the ultimate comfort food and it’s all about food, family, fun and friends,” she said. “It’s not a solitary sport or art form. It’s a form of socialization. And people get to experience world-class barbecue.”

Wells said there are more barbecue contests, cooking teams and certified judges within a 100-mile radius of Kansas City than any other metro area.

“It is a barbecue destination,” she said. “There are other meccas to be sure, but, rightfully, we have earned our place in the barbecue world. Particularly because of the diversity of the barbecue here; it’s not strictly southern style, we’re the melting pot, sort of where it all comes together.”

The society, the industry’s most-respected judging and sanctioning body for barbecue competitions, has more than 10,000 members worldwide. Since its inception more than 20 years ago, about 15,000 people have become certified barbecue judges and more than 4,000 teams compete nationally at 300 competitions. Wells said she has noticed a significant increase in barbecue contests.

“Each contest, each city has its own signature about what makes it special, what makes the Lenexa barbecue different from the Great American or the American Royal or Blue Springs,” she said. “Virtually every suburb in the metropolitan area has got a contest. Each one is selling their own community. In a way it’s sort of culinary tourism, as it is across the United States. It’s gathering people and food. It’s Americana.”

Barbecue competitions seem to be hotter than ever. The events bring more than food, fun and entertainment – they have a direct and indirect economic impact on the cities that host them.

Research shows that a typical visitor spends $257 per day in the barbecue host community, but that average expenditure varies depending on the location and size of the event. From locals to out-of-towners, attendees impact local businesses as they purchase meats, supplies, overnight lodging and gas.

Nearly 190 barbecue teams from across the country competed for the coveted title of Grand Champion at the 28th annual Great Lenexa Barbeque Battle, Kansas State Championship, held June 26-27 at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 87th Street Parkway and Lackman Road.

Lenexa Chamber of Commerce President Blake Schreck said no financial impact studies have been done on the contest, but the city’s hotels and retailers do see a boost in business.

“It’s grown exponentially over the last couple years,” he said. “There’s an understanding that it’s going to be a great weekend for retailers and hotels, and for increased attention and traffic to that intersection by the park. We have mostly local attendees, but there are out-of-town folks and groups who come to participate, and some of them make a weekend out of it.

“It’s a strong economic weekend not only for us, but for Johnson County and the whole metro area.”

Wells said not many sports can generate economic gain for communities and be fun for the entire family.

“Ninety-nine percent of contests are either service organizations or municipalities for civic awareness,” she said. “We work with lots of parks and recs, with Lions Clubs, Sertomas, VFWs, even the Junior League. They all have a different motivation but they all offer that sense of community. Somehow barbecue got to be the centerpiece for 300 of those events.

“In these economic times, we’ve lost some (contests) but we gained more than we’ve lost. Part of that is barbecue is a really expensive sport. As a competitor, you have to bring food, meat, beverages, everything you’re gonna need, and if you’re traveling – with gas prices – it can be very expensive. The entry fee is generally $400 to $600. Also, the organizer has the responsibility for raising a purse, anywhere from $2,000 to $100,000.”

To appeal to a broader audience, most barbecue contests also offer live music, children’s activities, craft fairs, car shows or parades

Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship, which takes place Sept. 25-26, also pairs live blues music and children’s activities with the barbecue competition. So does Mission’s AT&T Battle of the Brisket Kansas State Championship, part of the city’s annual Arts & Eats Festival.

“We’re pretty proud of (Great Grillers); it’s become a huge event,” Kevin Fern, Shawnee Convention & Visitors Bureau communications manager, said. “It’s at maximum capacity; I think there’s even a waiting list. It brings people from throughout the Midwest and exposes them not only to the community but to Shawnee Town.

“Outside of Old Shawnee Days, it’s the second-biggest event as far as drawing people from throughout the region to the community. I think more than 50 to 70 percent of the teams are from outside the Shawnee area, outside the metro area and beyond.”

The region’s biggest barbecue attraction is the American Royal, which Wells calls the “world series of barbecue.” With an annual economic impact of more than $63 million, the event hosts the world’s largest barbecue contest, one of the Midwest’s largest livestock exhibitions, one of the top five-ranked rodeos in the nation and a national championship horse competition.

FAST FACTS

For a list of Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned events in the metro area, visit www.kcbs.us.

Wanna be a judge? The next Certified BBQ Judging Class is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 19 at The Culinary Center of Kansas City, 7920 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park. To pre-register, call 341-4455 or go to www.kcculinary.com.

BBQ ADDICTS SHOW DEBUTS TODAY

Sun Broadcasting, at www.sunpublications.com, today launches the BBQ Addicts show.

The first episode will feature the BBQ Addicts, Jason Day, Roeland Park, and Aaron Chronister, Brookside, preparing chicken recipes. Aaron presents Spicy Chicken Drummies and Wings, and Jason shows how to make Honey Brine Savory Chicken Breast.

Day and Chronister created the Bacon Explosion, “the barbecue sausage recipe of all recipes,” which has been featured in national media outlets.

The pair, who are members of the barbecue team Burnt Finger, came up with the recipe for their blog, www.BBQaddicts.com.

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