Couple spots still open in Champion’s BBQ contest

Barbecuing is coming to Champion in June.
    The June 11 contest is a sanctioned event with the Midwest BBQ Association, said event chairperson Cindy Fischer of Wauneta.
    Fischer said there were just a few participant spots left Monday—two to be exact—with 18 chefs already registered. The contest will be capped at 20 participants, she said.
    They’ll be preparing four different meats and vying for a guaranteed pot of $5,000, Fischer said, to be awarded to several place-winners in each division.
    Cookers will be set up south and west of the Champion Community Center, starting their cooking Friday night, June 10.
    They’ll prepare brisket, ribs, pork butt and a “Blind Box Challenge,” which will be another protein to be prepared whatever way the cooker wants to, Fischer said.
    “We’re looking for them to think outside the box and prepare it however they’d like as long as the protein is included in the dish,” she said.
    Ribs will be judged at 4 p.m. Saturday, followed in half-hour increments with pork butt, brisket and, finally, the Blind Box Challenge item, she added.
    The judging will be followed by a community feed when the barbecued meats, baked beans, chips and a drink will be served. Adults will be charged $10 a plate with a $5 charge for youths age 3-10.
    Members of the Champion Jr. Women’s Club will serve desserts, with proceeds from their sales going to their own fundraiser, Fischer said.
    The BBQ awards ceremony will be held during the feed, she said.
    Entry fee for the cookers is $100, and all the meats will be provided, Fischer said.
    Part of the proceeds raised at the contest will be donated back to the Champion Community Center.
    Fischer noted people are invited to walk through the area where the cookers are working on Saturday.
    “They love to visit,” she said.
    On Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fischer said they’ve also arranged for a craft vendor fair on the grounds and citywide garage sales in the Champion community.
    The Chase County Museum will also be open June 11 from 1 to 5 p.m. for visitors.
    Those interested in registering to fill the three open spots remaining can find registration information on the Midwest BBQ Association Facebook page.
    Fischer can also be contacted at 308-883-5241 to register.