Time to fire up the pit and ready the barbecue sauce, Morgan Hill’s third annual “No Bull BBQ” Cook-Off championship is around the corner.
The finger-lickin’ good competition will move this year to the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center, 16500 Condit Road, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 12 for more room and less traffic, said president of Morgan Hill Youth Sports Alliance Jeff Dixon.
“We’re looking at the way that (the competition) is growing, and it seemed like a good fit,” said Dixon. “Plus, we’re looking at trying new things with the facilities to explore new opportunities.”
With the new location and the increasingly popularity of the competition, Dixon said a crowd of about 8,000 people is expected this year.
No Bull BBQ will feature more than 40 competitors including ‘Slap Yo Daddy,’ a nationally-recognized team formed by pitmaster Harry Soo in 2008 that is the winner of 22 grand championships.
Locals won’t have to leave it just to the professionals this year. There’s room in the competition for a locals too.
“Who doesn’t think that their barbeque is the best?,” said Dixon. “Here’s your chance to prove it.”
Residents can sign up online before Friday, May 4 to enter submissions. Local celebrity judges, including the Times’ Editor Robert Airoldi, Morgan Hill Unified School District Superintendent Wes Smith and Mayor Steve Tate will be the judging panel. People can register online at www.mhnobullbbq.com and indicate they would like to participate in the local competition.
“What we’re trying to do with the local competition, is for the local organizations, the group of guys on the corner that like to barbecue, give them a chance to get into this thing and not go against guys that are semi-professional or professional,” said Jeff Burrus, an event organizer.
Friday night starting at 7 p.m. before the big competition festival day will be the ‘Kick-off to the Cook-Off’ with a special performance by the Shane Dwight Band. Take a stroll in the pit area enjoying the music and beverages and chat as the pitmasters prep and the smell from the apple, oak and cherry woods fill the air.
For the big day Saturday, barbecue lovers will have plenty of opportunity to sample some savory chicken, beef brisket, pork or ribs through the people’s choice. Folks can purchase five tickets for $10 and sample some of the competition and pick their favorite team.
This competition is an official Pacific Northwest BBQ Association sanctioned event and entries will be scoring will be based on appearance, taste and tenderness.
To register, visit www.mhnobullbbq.com by Friday May 4.
No Bull BBQ Cook-Off
Where: Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center, 16500 Condit Road
When: Friday May 11, 7-9 p.m. and May 12 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
