Barbecue Contest Set Saturday At Sam’s Club

— Sam’s Club will host its annual National BBQ Tour Championship from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday at its corporate headquarters at 2101 S.E. Simple Savings Drive off Southeast 25th St. Vendors will be on hand at the free event with samples and giveaways.

A field of 677 teams around the country competed in 25 local contests and five regional competitions since February. The top 50 that will compete in Saturday’s championship for a portion of the $500,000 purse.

The event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, the world’s largest barbecue group with more than 20,000 members and 7,500 competitive teams.

Each team will submit chicken, ribs, pork and brisket to 48 judges who will evaluate taste, tenderness and appearance. Complimentary samples will be available to the public, along with cooking tips from sponsors like Bush’s Baked Beans, New Zealand Lamb, Tyson and Cavanaugh.

Troy Black, author of “The Big Book of BBQ,” will also be on hand to pass along grilling tips for pulled pork, ribs and brisket. Kristy Lee Cook and Hope Willson will perform music for spectators.

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