MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – The smells of slow smoke pit barbecue filled the air at the Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner Friday evening. Tents, trucks, grills, and smokers, were lined up at the park.
It was the 20th annual Berkeley BBQ Cook Off, hosted by the Moncks Corner Lions Club. An estimated 400 people came out for the event.
“I like to sample all the food. There’s so much talent. I like all the food and barbecue and to try new things,” Susan Dennis of Moncks Corner said.
The event included two competitions: one for foods that fell into the “Anything But BBQ” and the other for various cuts of pork. The pit smokers set up equipment Friday prepping for the barbecue competition.
“Right now we just loaded the smoker with Boston butts, which will turn into barbecue. They are going to take a nice long bath in the smoke, about 14 hours before serving,” Some R Swine owner and competitor Seth Watari, of Summerville, said.
“I started doing this 15 years ago, and it is definitely one of my faves. It’s just a great time,” competitor Dennis Jarrett of Pot Belly Cookers said.
Event organizer Don Saturday says each competitor got a case of Boston butts, ribs, and chicken thighs. A panel of judges from outside of the Lions Club selected winners Saturday, and the Lions Club announced the names at noon.
“We have pre-sold approximately 600 pounds of barbecue. This is our major fundraiser of the year for the club,” Saturday said.
“We’d like to get about $10,000. The Lions Club main mission is vision. We buy a lot of eye glasses, help people pay for eye exams. We do a lot for schools, active in Moncks Corner schools,” Lions Club President Lane Wofford said. Additionally he says the local chapter is dedicated to the local Moncks Corner community. “We buy school supplies. We sponsor other club’s events. Buy clothes for people who need it.”
As part of the fundraiser, Lions Club members sold food to attendees.
People also enjoyed live entertainment from the dancers of the Corners Cloggers group and music from Customs 4 and Friends band.
While there was fun for all at the cook off, Wofford says knowing it was all for a good cause made it that much better. “We have a lot of fun out here. It’s always good if you can have fun while you’re raising money and knowing you’re giving back to your community.”
On Saturday, the Lions Club announced the winners as follows:
Categories and Winners:
- Pork – Mr. Goodtimes, Pitmaster Kevin Merritt, awarded $750/trophy/cap/apron
- Ribs – Mr. Goodtimes, Pitmaster Kevin Merritt, awarded $500/trophy/cap/apron
- Chicken – Hog Wild Neighbors, Pitmaster Donnie Clayton, awarded $500/trophy/cap/apron
- Grand Champion – Mr. Goodtimes, Pitmaster Kevin Merritt, awarded $500/“Frank Wilson” trophy (named for one of the original event founders)/cap/apron
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