Memphis in May announces barbecue competition for kids

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Calling all young grill masters!

Here’s your chance to showcase your skills as the Memphis in May International Festival announced Friday that it will be hosting its first Jr. Barbecue Cooking Contest this upcoming May.

The competition will be for kids ages between 9-17 and will be part of this year’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

It is set for May 15-16, 2025.

“Grilling is more than just a technique, but it’s about traditions that are passed down through generations,” Memphis in May CEO and President Mack Weaver said in a statement. “The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest has been around now for half a century and is an annual must attend event for many barbecue teams and their families. It is essential to this event’s continued success and longevity that we begin to usher in the next generation of competitors as the world’s most prestigious barbecue cooking contest continues to grow and evolve.”

The four categories in the junior barbecue competition are pork chop, ribeye steak, chicken legs/thighs and dessert. Cash prizes will be up for grabs, with the grand champion receiving $3,000.

The entry fee is $500.

For more information, visit memhisinmay.org. The deadline to register for the competition is March 15, 2025.