Cook-off serves up scholarships | News

VALDOSTA – The aroma of scrumptious barbecue permeated the air, a telltale signal that the judges and park goers have been in for an actual deal with.

100 Black Males of Valdosta hosted the twenty eighth Annual Barbecue Prepare dinner-Off Saturday at Olympic Park, the place varied distributors not solely fired up their grills for the title and the money, but additionally an excellent trigger: scholarships for college-bound college students.

Nathaniel Haugabrook, president of the 100 Black Males of Valdosta, mentioned the fundraisers are particularly vital within the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We use the funds to assist college students that we mentor, these which might be matriculating, in fact, to larger training. We use these funds to assist them offset prices. A few of them shall be graduating this upcoming yr, and every year, we offer anyplace from three to 4 scholarships,” he mentioned.

The competing groups have been Blazin’ Hog BBQ, Not Your Uncle’s BBQ, Omega Psi Phi, Creation by Mike’s, Poppy BBQ, Moye’s BBQ, Alpha Phi Alpha, King R&B, Delmonte, Style Buds, Bernita’s Kitchen, Okay-Star BBQ, Redd Hott Vacationers, Huge Fred’s BBQ.

The competitors was cut up into two classes, rooster and ribs.

Within the rooster division, third place went to Blazin’ Hog BBQ, second place went to Creations by Mike, and first place went to newcomer Not Your Uncle’s Barbeque, unseating reigning champion Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

Within the rib division, third place went to Huge Fred’s BBQ. Reigning rib champion Creations by Mike took second place once more, with one other newcomer, Redd Hott Vacationers, pulling the upset by taking first.

The winners took house $300, second took house $250 and third took house $100. All placers received a trophy to commemorate their delectable work.

Regardless of being displaced from the cook-off’s traditional spot, the Lowndes County Historic Courthouse, as a result of renovations, Haugabrook mentioned the group might think about making the park the everlasting place as a result of “surprisingly overwhelming constructive” reception from the attendees.

“Most of the individuals who attended with youngsters loved the truth that there was a playground for the youngsters, primary. Quantity two, the area was a lot bigger; youngsters may run round and play, they usually (the mother and father) must maintain their hand as a lot as they might downtown while you obtained visitors, south and northbound on Patterson and Ashley. Lots of people have been like ‘Let’s do it down right here subsequent yr,'” he mentioned.