St. Bernard Prep School is adding another fun event to the 7th annual Bernard Blues and BBQ. On Sept. 9, St. Bernard will host its first backyard BBQ cookoff.

The festival will bring amateur cook teams from across the region to North Alabama, with competitions taking place in a variety of categories including chicken, ribs, and people’s choice wings. The event kicks off on Saturday morning with introductions of the cook teams as they prepare for competition.

All competitions will take place on Saturday, with the awards presentation set for Saturday afternoon. Judges will begin critiquing the competitors’ food beginning at noon with the judging of chicken, then ribs at 12:30. People’s choice wing sampling will begin at 1:30 p.m. for guests that have purchased special sampling tickets at the festival.

The first-place overall winner will receive a guaranteed $1,000 cash prize. Second place will receive $500. Cash prizes will be presented to the top three winners in each of the specific categories as well. All cook teams will need to provide their own electricity, water will be available for use.

The Kansas City Barbecue Society is the number one organization of grilling and live-fire smoking enthusiasts globally. It is also the top sanctioning body for barbecue food sports. Throughout the event guests will be able to learn more about the art of barbecuing and the techniques used by the professionals.

Team registrations are being accepted now for amateur cook teams interested in participating. Teams can sign up for the Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned competitions at https://stbernardprep.com/sign-up-bbq/.  The cost is $150 per team.  All teams are welcome.

Held in conjunction with the 7th Bernard Blues and BBQ Arts and Crafts Festival, all kinds of delicious food will be available, including pulled pork, BBQ ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, strawberry waffles, fresh squeezed lemonade and much more.

In addition to handmade arts and crafts, the school is giving away over $11,500 in cash prizes on Sunday, Sept. 10. All it takes to win is a $5 donation to the school.

An admission donation of $10 is requested. Children 5 and under free. All proceeds benefit St. Bernard Preparatory School.

For additional information contact Joyce Nix at 256-255-5860 or jnix@stbernardprep.com.