The Mississippi Pork Producers Council and Bryan Foods will co-sponsor Super Bulldog Weekend’s 19th annual Pig-Cooking Contest at the intersection on the south end of Davis Wade Stadium.
Participants will meet at Malfunction Junction and begin cooking today. Judging will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, said Bobby Tomlinson, associate athletic director and event organizer.
“After the judging people will be able to come by and sample the meat from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” Tomlinson said.
Bryan Foods and the council will be giving away samples of their products at the pig-cooking contest, along with any other participants who wish to give away samples, said Steve Phillips, fresh pork sales manager at Bryan Foods.
The contest has first, second and third place awards in three separate events, as well as an overall first place award, said event organizer Mark Crenshaw, a professor of animal and dairy science.
“Prizes are given for first, second and third place for shoulders, ribs and whole hog,” Crenshaw said.
Dawgs Grillin’ Hawgs won last year for whole hog, Harrell Construction won for shoulders and Welp’s Barbecue won best ribs. Welp’s also won the overall competition, Crenshaw said.
Any group who is interested in the event may participate as long as they sign up in advance,
Crenshaw said. Participants are not required to compete, though. Some just come to the event to cook.
“We’re just there to entertain friends, family and customers,” Phillips said. “It is more of a social event than a competition.”
“The way groups get involved in the pig-cooking contest is they’ve cooked out here in previous years or they came and saw the other teams cooking and asked to be put on the list for next year,” Crenshaw said. “Much of this is done by word of mouth.”
Participants include local businesses, State alumni and a group from Georgia, Tomlinson said.
“There are 29 participants, including The Bully Broilers, The Cotton-Pickin’ Pig Cookers, Sly and the Family Sauce, The Smoking Guns and The Big Orange Travelers,” Tomlinson said.
Bryan Food’s is the official meat provider for the pig-cooking contest, Phillips said.
“Ever since Super Bulldog Weekend was started we have been selling the meat to the contestants at cost from a refrigerated truck we bring on site,” Phillips said.
Possible judges for the contest include faculty and staff, Mississippi Pork Producers Council representatives, Bryan employees and Starkville residents, Crenshaw said.
Other events include live music, games and exhibits, going on just west of Malfunction Junction, Tomlinson said.
“We hope to have 7,000 to 8,000 people come by this weekend,” Tomlinson said.