20th Annual ASBEE/Kroger BBQ
I can’t think of a more appropriate press release for the July 4th weekend:
On September 7, 2008, Anshei Sphard-Beth El Emeth Congregation (ASBEE), a Memphis, TN Orthodox congregation, will host the 20th annual ASBEE-Kroger Kosher BBQ Cooking Contest and Festival. The festival will take place from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on the grounds of the synagogue, and features teams from Memphis and around the country vying for top honors in the world’s largest kosher BBQ contest. Prizes are awarded for the best beef ribs, beef brisket, beans, team name and team booth. It’s a major family event which includes children’s rides and games, food for sale by the ASBEE Sisterhood gourmet cookers, the ASBEE-Grizzlies 3-on-3 basketball tournament and the 6th annual pickle eating contest. Last year, the festival hosted 40 teams and more than 2,000 attendees. For details on team and event registration, sponsorship opportunities and general information, go to www.asbeekosherbbq.org, or contact the synagogue at 901-682-1611.
As you know, I competed in the ASBEE BBQ last year, and I’m going back this year. It’s all about thousands of people coming together for fun and Kosher BBQ. This year is a special one for the ASBEE BBQ and I encourage all the BBQ enthusiasts out there to come out and compete. Teams should be in Memphis starting September 4th, for orientation and meat selection. Shabbos accommodations will be available for any Shomer-Shabbos contestants. I’ll answer any questions posted in the comments, or you can contact ASBEE directly at the website or phone number above. Let’s make the world’s largest kosher BBQ contest even bigger!
Also, the 16th Annual Totally Kosher Rib Burn Off is taking place on Monday, September 1st (Labor Day) at the Gross Schechter Day School in Pepper Pike (Cleveland),OH. For more info check out http://www.grossschechter.org or call 216-763-1400.
Jim, I went to your website, but found no information there about your BBQ, how many teams do you have compete? We will have 45 or more teams (if we can find space) this year.
Since you only do ribs maybe your champion would like to come to Memphis the following week and comptete here. As you will see on our site (www.asbeekosherbbq.org), we compete in Ribs, Brisket, Beans as well as Team Name and Booth. We have been toying the last couple years with a Vegetarian category, but have had trouble coming up with a product and rules.
Steve, it will be great to see you again here for the BBQ and another dose of our Southern Hospitality. Let any of us know if you need anything before you arrive. As I think you’ve been made aware, we now have an Out-of-Towners Hospitality Committee headed by Ellen Eisen to take care of you as well as all of our Out-Of-Town Guests.
Jeff: The new info for the Rib Burn Off in Cleveland is not up on the website. There IS a small blurb in the fundraising section, but we’ll get everything else up soon.
In terms of competing: our event is May 1st. I can’t imagine I could get a group of people to come the very next weekend, but I’ll ask around.
Jim
Jim,
You had said Sept 1st, but if it is May 1st, then please try and have a team come from Cleveland for Sept. 7th. We have just confirmed a team from Washington D.C., so another “national” team would be spectacular!