St. John’s Antigua- World-class barbecue comes to the Antigua & Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute on June 3 when the Caribbean BBQ Association hosts, for the first time, the Smokin Hot BBQ Challenge.

The competition is an expanded version of what began in Puerto Rico approximately four years ago, with circuits in Bahamas, St Croix/St Thomas, Miami and Jamaica.

Michael A Compton, president of the Caribbean BBQ Association, said this is an effort to strengthen the culinary program throughout the islands, teach the art of authentic BBQ and grilling to all the regions in the Caribbean and enable winning teams to compete on the most prestigious BBQ competition in the United States.

The activity, which has already received various media and corporate sponsors spanning the United States, Caribbean and Antigua & Barbuda will seek to “create a well recognized successful family event for the region, impact multiple islands and the tourism industry, increase awareness for local restaurants and hotels and start the spark of bigger and better BBQ events within the region of the Caribbean,” explained Compton.

The competition is open to anyone who loves to BBQ – from professional chefs and culinary students to backyard enthusiasts. Teams from restaurants and hotels are also encouraged. The team entry fee is $150.

Entrants will be supplied with the meats and goody bags from sponsors, while competing for cash, prizes and medals.

The winning recipes will be distributed to the public, along with cooking techniques and tips for BBQ by restaurants, BBQ experts, sponsors and the Caribbean BBQ Association.

On the day of the challenge, the public is invited to participate in cooking demonstrations by top ranked local chefs/and live entertainment. Tickets are $15 for adults.

Opportunities are also available for judges’ certification and BBQ cooking classes before the event.

Registering teams

BBQ teams will be competing for cash prizes and medals in six competition categories, Best Steak or Brisket, BBQ Sauce, Poultry, Pork Ribs, Pork Butt or Pork Chop, and Best Booth (the coolest looking booth).

Teams will be furnished with the beef, pork ribs, pork butt or pork chops, and chicken for the competition.

Download the rules and registration form at www.bbqpr.com

The general public is invited to register their teams with Julian@candw.ag or visit Chef World in Antigua at Lower Gambles.

The winning team of this event will have the opportunity to represent Antigua & Barbuda in the most prestigious BBQ in the Caribbean Islands, The 5th Annual Cattlemen’s Caribbean BBQ Competition, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on June 30.

Their team entry fee will be paid by The US Meat Export Federation, and hotel rooms will be furnished courtesy of the Soup, Inc & the Caribbean BBQ Association.

 

Regional Schedule of Events

St Croix King of the Grill BBQ

May 20

CBBQA Sanctioned event
Antigua & Barbuda Smokin Hot BBQ Competition

June 3

St John, Antigua – CBBQA Sanctioned event
Palmas Station BBQ Competition

June 10

Cataño, PR – CBBQA Sanctioned event
Appleton Estates All Jamaica Grill-Off

June 17

Hope Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica – CBBQA Sanctioned event
Miami Grill Masters Competition

June 29

CBBQA Sanctioned event; top 20 grill restaurants/steak houses compete
2012 Cattlemen’s BBQ Contest

June 30-July 1

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Nassau Cattlemen’s BBQ Contest

August 4

Nassau, Bahamas – CBBQA Sanctioned event