Shoup’s Country Foods is seeking the next backyard BBQ master during the 2024 Indiana State Fair with opportunities to secure a $1,000 grand prize with numerous categories to select.
The Indiana State Fair Backyard BBQ Cook Off will blaze off on Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds as contestants vie for the grand prizes in their categories as well as overall prizes for the competition. The competition remains open to any person that wishes to participate, but there is a limit of four people per competing team. The deadline to enter is Friday, July 26 or until all available contestant places are filled, and refunds will not be made.
Set up for the competition will begin on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. with a mandatory chef’s meeting at 9 a.m. No electricity will be available at the booth, and pop up shelters are encouraged for every team permitted that the shelters are weighted down correctly. The fire marshal will be in attendance the check the tents during the day of the event.
Judging will start for the cook off at 11:20 a.m. on Aug. 10, and the judges will evaluated the different selections based on different categories with appearance being the highest weighted category, followed by taste and tenderness.
Categories & Judging Times:
- Build a Hogburger: 11:20 a.m.
- Hogburgers will be provided. Contestants may cook and dress them any way they want
- Chicken: 12 p.m.
- Pork Loin: 1 p.m.
- Pork Ribs: 2 p.m.
- Open: 3 p.m.
- Needs to be submitted with a recipe that utilizes at least one Shoup’s products, including Original BBQ Sauce, Original Seasoning, New – Carolina Gold, Sugar Free or Teriyaki Sauces.
- Showmanship: 9:45 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Automatically judged based on theme, style, creativity and showmanship.
Participants are vying for a slew of awards with all teams receiving a bottle of Shoup’s Original Barbecue Sauce, Original Seasoning, Steak Seasoning and new sauces, Carolina Gold, Teriyaki Glaze and Sugar Free.
Awards:
- Category Winners:
- 1st: $100
- 2nd: $50
- 3rd: $25
- Overall Grand Champion:
- $1,000 and Prizes
- Must be entered into all categories
- $1,000 and Prizes
- Reserve Grand Champion:
- $500 and Prizes
- Must be entered into all categories
- $500 and Prizes
- Shomanship:
- 1st: $300 and Prizes
- 2nd: $200 and Prizes
- 3rd: $100 and Prizes
Award medals and plaques will also be given to the first, second and third-place finishers in every category.
Entry fees will be $20 for entry into the Build the Ultimate Hogburger, Chicken, Pork Loin, Pork Ribs and Open categories or $85 for all categories. Participants must be entered into all five categories to be considered for Grand Champion.
A check for the entry fee must be dropped off or mailed to Shoup’s Country Foods at 2048 S. State Road 39 in Frankfort, by registering online at shoupscountry.com or by emailing amy@shoupscountry.com.
“Who is the best backyard grill master in Indiana?,” Shoup’s asks. “We look forward to a great day of delicious grilled foods, friendly competition, great pork sampling and fun music.”
The deadline for entries is set for Friday, July 26 or until all spaces are filled. A 2024 Cook Off t-shirt may also be purchased alongside the entry fee with every shirt costing $20 per shirt. Pick up for shirts will be a check-in.
