There are 18 article(s) tagged SmokeSlam:

• May 2024

  • Battle of the Barbecue: Contest recaps, $50K ribs and recipes

    In the final installment of our barbecue series, we’ve got a look at winners from SmokeSlam and Memphis in May’s contest. Plus, we share recipes to extend barbecue month out all year. 

    By The Daily Memphian Staff 17 hours ago

  • SmokeSlam announces first-ever winners

    Organizers said the $250,000 in prize money is the biggest purse in barbecue contest history; the Grand Champion took home a $50,000 prize.

    By Christin Yates 20 hours ago

  • Battle of the Barbecue draws to a close

    After a week of two simultaneous barbecue-cooking competitions, the victor is clear: hungry barbecue lovers and fans across the city of Memphis.

    By The Daily Memphian Staff May 19, 2024

  • Party team? Competition team? Sweet Cheeks does it all at SmokeSlam

    “We didn’t want to split up,” Sweet Cheeks team captain Alex Boggs said. “Winning is great. That’s not what this week is about. This week is about cutting out from work for a little bit, hanging out with some of your best friends in the world.”

    By Joshua Carlucci May 17, 2024

  • Memphis in May or SmokeSlam? For two teams, the answer is both

    You can find only two teams competing at both barbecue contests this weekend: Hank’s BBQ from Columbus, Mississippi, and Pork University of Clarksville, Tennessee. 

    By Chris Herrington May 17, 2024

  • Battle of the Barbecue: Where to eat Memphis barbecue

    While teams at the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and SmokeSlam are setting up for their respective competitions, here’s a broad look at the Memphis barbecue scene.

    By Holly Whitfield May 17, 2024

  • SmokeSlam opens with dessert, bacon and wings competitions

    A bourbon-soaked pineapple upside-down cake and a smoked Rice Krispies Treat with a mango habanero glaze were just two of the dishes already turned in for judging Thursday at Tom Lee Park. 

    Related story: 

    At MIM, BBQ Alley is ‘for the people,’ pitmaster says

    By Holly Whitfield May 17, 2024

  • A first look at SmokeSlam on the river

    Barbecue teams, food vendors and cooking demos are set up in Tom Lee Park ahead of the inaugural festival’s opening day.

    By Holly Whitfield May 16, 2024

  • Battle of the Barbecue: What to know before you go to SmokeSlam

    Smoke is back on the water in Downtown Memphis with the inaugural SmokeSlam barbecue contest. We’ve got the details on what food comes with your ticket and what else you can do at the event.

    By The Daily Memphian Staff May 15, 2024

  • Calkins: Memphis is on the verge of a food fight. That doesn’t have to be bad

    Mack Weaver, the new president and CEO of Memphis in May, was asked about “the competition” in BBQ contests this year. “There’s another contest going on?” he deadpanned. Yes, Memphis, there certainly is.

    By Geoff Calkins May 13, 2024

  • Sound Bites: Memphis in May barbecue judging secrets

    How do hundreds of judges choose the best smoked pork barbecue (and more!) from more than 120 teams at Memphis in May? Barbecue judge chairs Michelle and Brandon O’Guin sit down with Holly on this week’s podcast to discuss.

    By Holly Whitfield May 11, 2024

• April 2024

  • Sign up for the ‘Battle of the Barbecue’ guide

    Let the barbecue wars begin! Memphis will play host to not one, but two (!!), barbecue competitions in May — on the same weekend. So, we’re launching a new barbecue newsletter series with festival tips, recipes and more.

    By The Daily Memphian Staff April 24, 2024

  • Riverside Drive closes in preparation for Riverbeat

    Tom Lee Park is expected to welcome its 500,000th visitor this month, eight months after its formal opening on the Labor Day weekend. The park closes next Sunday for the Riverbeat load-in, but will reopen partially between the music festival and the SmokeSlam barbecue contest.

    By Bill Dries April 22, 2024

  • SmokeSlam barbecue contest announces music lineup, opens ticket sales

    St. Paul and the Broken Bones will headline the inaugural SmokeSlam barbecue contest. The lineup also includes rap, rock and funk.

    By Bill Dries April 12, 2024

  • The Early Word: SmokeSlam details drop, and Bounty drops off food scene

    Plot thickens in city council ethics complaint, Feagins announces her transition team and we look back at the Grizzlies’ top 27 moments.

    By Bianca Phillips April 12, 2024

• March 2024

  • SmokeSlam selects 59 teams for inaugural barbecue contest

    The Junior BBQ League founded by Memphis in May barbecue grand champion Melissa Cookston is also coming to the rival barbecue contest in Tom Lee Park along with a barbecue boot camp.

    By Bill Dries March 13, 2024

• February 2024

  • Sound Bites: Bold burgers, barbecue battles and more

    On this week’s episode of “Sound Bites,” Holly Whitfield returns from her dark Memphis winter with a tales of burst pipes and combined pantries. She and Chris Herrington also talk about some recent Memphis food news.

    By Chris Herrington February 01, 2024

• January 2024

  • The Memphis in May barbecue contest rival has a name

    Forward Momentum announced details Thursday, Jan. 11, of its barbecue contest this May in Tom Lee Park.

    By Bill Dries January 16, 2024