Big T Memorial BBQ Cookoff and Music Festival was a big hit this year despite the rain!

Twenty-nine cook teams from around the state of Texas gathered to show off their skills and compete for money, prizes, and points.

Cook’s Choice jackpot winner earned $360 and Beans jackpot was $340.
Grand Champion received a check for $1,500 and Reserve Champ got $500.

Monies were also offered to first-tenth place in each of the three meat categories: 1st – $1,000; 2nd – $500; 3rd – $250; 4th – $200; 5th – $100; 6th – $75; 7th – $50; & 8th-10th – $30.

The First Annual Kids Cookoff turned out to be a fantastic treat for the taste buds. The contestants impressed the judges with their skills and creativity. Winners took home a custom apron. First place also received a $50!

Music entertainment included Little Texas, Cameran Nelson, Mitch Ballard with D. Vincent Williams and Christ Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, JB & The Moonshine Band, and Blacktop Mojo.

Mustang Oil’s yearly donation of a customized BBQ pit was purchased for $2,000 by Mr. Eric Gilbert of Teague.

Raffle Winners were: 1st – JT Brown (Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar), 2nd – Scooter Long (Ride Along with CAF – Coyote Squadron), 3rd – Scott Baggerly (All Inclusive Guided Hog Hut at FE Hill Ranch)

Specialty Competition Results

–Kid’s Cookoff (7-11 yr olds): 1st – Jenna Haden (above) with Greek Burger Slider, 2nd – Kate Silar with Spicy Buffalo Burger Slider

–Kid’s Cookoff (12-16 yr olds): 1st – Kole Brackens (above) with Steak & Peppers Slider, 2nd – Austin & Taylor Solis with Pineapple Bacon Burger Slider

–Cook’s Choice: Cathy Wagoner (Wagoner BBQ) with Crawfish Cornbread

–Beans: 10+ Cookers

–42 Tournament: Deborah Day and Ed Burchfield (above)

Sanctioned BBQ Competition Results

GRAND CHAMPION WINNER is Charles Tant of Bury Da Bone BBQ. Presenting the trophy is Leldon Childs, President of Golden Circle Special Needs Association. Winner also received $1,500.

–Grand Champion: Bury Da Bone BBQ

TAKING HOME THE TITLE OF RESERVE CHAMPION, a trophy and $500 are Kelly and Lisa Curtis of Panther Creek Cookers. Golden Circle Special Needs Association President Leldon Childs presents the trophy.

–Reserve Champion: Panther Creek Cookers

–Chicken: 1st – Country Cookers, 2nd – Rockin ‘K’ BBQ, 3rd – Non-Typical BBQ, 4th – Bury Da Bone BBQ, 5th – Shorty’s BBQ, 6th – Panther Creek Cookers, 7th – Farm Boy Cookers, 8th – Lucky Draw, 9th – Smoke-A-Holics, 10th – Four Shadows

–Ribs: 1st – Bury Da Bone BBQ, 2nd – Smokin Hot, 3rd – The Perfect Mess, 4th – Sonny Jim BBQ, 5th – Hunerd Proof Smoke, 6th – Rockin ‘K’ BBQ, 7th – Farm Boy Cookers, 8th – Panther Creek Cookers, 9th – SWB Youth Foundation, 10th – Four Shadows

–Brisket: 1st – All Smoked Up, 2nd – Panther Creek Cookers, 3rd – 10+ Cookers, 4th – Four Shadows, 5th – Smoke-A-Holics, 6th – Mustang Gas Compression/Braswell Paint, 7th – The Perfect Mess, 8th – Bury Da Bone BBQ, 9th – Hunerd Proof Smoke, 10th – Sonny Jim BBQ

Golden Circle Special Needs Association and Big T Buddies Autism Support Network would like to thank all of their sponsors, donators, cook teams, Lonestar BBQ, judges, volunteers, bands, and the City of Fairfield for making this event a success and raising nearly $20,000 in support of area children with special needs.

Be sure to come back next year!!

(Photos by Megan Hempel)

(More photos of the event can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bigtmemorialcookoff/)