2021 World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

Entry Deadline: February 26, 2021
Categories: BBQ Competitions
2021 World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
Venue / Location

Memphis in May
Tom Lee Park
Riverside Drive
Memphis, TN 38103

General Information

One thing Memphis, TN is known for is great barbecue. This is put on display in a big way during the Memphis In May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Set on the bank of the Mississippi River, this BBQ competition is just one part of the Memphis In May International Festival, which is a series of events throughout May and also includes the Beale Street Music Festival.

Dubbed “America’s most prestigious barbecue cooking competition”, Memphis In May’s brings in the best of the best pitmasters and teams from across the country. You can watch all of these teams fight for the highest title in barbecue, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest World Champion.

Because it is a competition, most of the barbecue being cooked at the event is strictly for the judges to try. But, there are options of specialty tickets available for the public to have the opportunity to try some of the championship-quality barbecue and get to interact with the teams up close.

Just remember, avoiding the wait list means completing this application and turning in your entry fee real fast. Contest entry closes on February 26th. Once we receive all applications, we’ll notify each team of their involvement the week of March 8th. If you get the green light, it means you’ll be flying high with Captain Lowandslow and smokin’ all the meat in Downtown Memphis this May. There’s nothing better

Entry Fees

ENTRY FEES: Order the size space you need – no on-site expansions are permitted. Any team found intentionally expanding outside of their purchased booth space will be subject to penalties. Memphis In May reserves the right to withhold the team’s security deposit and prize money up to the amount of outstanding balance. Requests for Riverview spaces will be filled on a first-request basis. Please also note that any special requests for team placement will be recognized and preference will be given based on the date of application/full payment. Team booth space will be determined after event sponsors and vendors have been placed. Once accepted into the contest, all team space sizes are final.

*Prices below represent a 50% increase in space sizes for 2021 only*
Booth Size/Space | Non-Riverview Cost | Riverview Cost
20′ w x 27′ d $875 $1000
22′ w x 37′ d $1440 $2100
28′ w x 42′ d $1875 $2950
30′ w x 52′ d $2315 $3600
34′ w x 56′ d $2940 $4500
44′ w x 62′ d $4375 $6400
For spaces 22′ x 37′ and larger, how tall is your structure?*
1 story
2 story

SCAFFOLDING PLEASE NOTE: No load bearing floors will be allowed to be built higher than 16 feet from the ground. All teams wishing to use scaffolding structures must submit a drawing of the structure, listing the dimensions and load ratings, along with your scaffolding contractors contact information to Memphis in May no later than at the Team Meeting. Any structure that is not approved by Memphis in May will not be allowed to be built.

Anything But Categories
$65 – Beef
$65 – Poultry
$65 – Seafood
$65 – Exotic
$65 – Tomato
$65 – Mustard
$65 – Vinegar
$65 – Frank’s Red Hot Hot Wings
$65 – National Turkey Federation Turkey Smoke*
*Fee includes FREE turkey for contest

Prizes / Awards / Medals / Ribbons

Over $125,000.00 in Cash Prizes!
Teams may enter into ONLY one pork category.TOTAL PRIZE MONEY $86,500 (Top 10 awarded in Whole Hog, Shoulder and Ribs)
ANYTHING BUT – TOTAL PRIZE MONEY $15,000.00 (Top 4 awarded in each category)
CATTLEMEN’S SAUCE – TOTAL PRIZE MONEY $9,600.00
FRANK’S RED HOT HOT WINGS – TOTAL PRIZE MONEY $4,000.00
HOME DEPOT BEST BOOTH – TOTAL PRIZE MONEY $4,500.00
T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST – TOTAL PRIZE MONEY $3,250 .00

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