Meeting the cooks; Event kicks offs BBQ Bash

A few cooks in this weekend’s fifth annual Bayou BBQ Bash gave visitors a taste Thursday of what they can expect during the barbecue competition in Morgan City when 57 teams will vie for the title of grand champion.
The St. Mary Chamber of Commerce held a Bayou BBQ Bash Kick-Off Party Business After Hours on Thursday evening at Hampton Inn & Suites in Morgan City.
Competitors will come from all over Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi to compete for $5,000 in cash prizes under the U.S. 90 bridge in Morgan City, a Cajun Coast news release said. The BBQ Bash grand champion will receive a 10-karat gold ring, worth $1,400, designed by Klutts Jewelers in Morgan City. The event will also include 66 crafters and 13 children in the Cannata’s Kids Q signed up for this weekend, the release said.
Teams from The Smokehouse and Sewart Supply, both in Morgan City, let people have a sampling of their barbecue Thursday. Craig Smith of St. Amant, who will compete Saturday in his fifth BBQ Bash, also served chicken wings.
Bill Goessl, owner of The Smokehouse, has participated in the Bayou BBQ Bash since its inception in 2012. Goessl used to also travel to competitions with BBQ Bash Founder Don Tellman.
Goessl served pulled pork sandwiches Thursday, as he has at each kickoff party.
“This is just kind of a teaser,” Goessl said.
Goessl said he always does well in the ribs category, and is “hoping for the best” in both the brisket and chicken categories. Goessl doesn’t plan to change any of his recipes from last year, he said. He will also have barbecue for sale tonight and Saturday.
Paul Cheramie of Sewart Supply’s corporate team served ribs to attendees. Sewart Supply is in its fourth year competing in the barbecue competition, and its first year cooking for the kickoff party.
Cheramie and a few men he works with were barbecuing together throughout the year, so they figured they’d enter the competition, he said.
“We enjoy coming out here and helping everybody out and being a part of the community,” Cheramie said.
Sewart Supply is competing in all three meat categories, including ribs, chicken and brisket. Teams will cook two half-chickens, nine pieces of brisket and nine pieces of pork ribs, Cheramie said.
Last year, the Sewart Supply team was excited to crack the top 20 in brisket while competing against many cooks who regularly travel to competitions, he said. Cheramie hopes the team will have a solid showing again this year.
In addition to their competition meats, Sewart Supply will cook four pork butts, 15 pounds of sausage and 10 whole chickens for their families and visitors, Cheramie said.
The BBQ Bash kicks off at 6 p.m. today with live music. Available for purchase will be food, drinks, beer and margaritas. The Cheesecake Throwdown is at 7:30 p.m. and costs $10 to judge. The winner donates prize money to the charity of their choice. Crafts open at 4 p.m.
On Saturday, chefs can start cooking at 8 a.m. Craft booths open at 9 a.m., and live music starts at noon. South Louisiana Jeep Association joins festivities with a show and live action demonstration. They will be parked there most of the day Saturday.