Love the Whole Hog Barbecue Series? Join us for the Whole Hog Barbecue Summit on Feb. 24 at the Lenoir County Livestock Arena!
Cooks, judges and festival organizers are invited to join us for a day of learning, fellowship and delicious, whole hog barbecue! This idea started as an opportunity to train judges, but then we decided that cooks and organizers could also benefit from the same information.
Current and prospective judges: Not only is this your chance for a refresher or to get on the path to becoming a sanctioned judge, it’s a chance to meet a few festival organizers, too, and show your enthusiasm for the coveted position of barbecue judge! We’re also starting a “Master Judge” category and this in-person training is a requirement for this new title.
Cooks, judges on the Whole Hog Barbecue circuit are tough! This is your chance to get clarifications on the rules and learn exactly what the judges are looking for. There are several new rule changes for the circuit this year, so come and hear it from yourself so you’re ready. And if you’re interested, you can become a judge while you’re at it and see what it’s like to be on the other side of the grill!
Festival organizers, we’ve noticed that not everyone is on the same page when it comes to current rules and information. So this is a chance for you to learn what you need to know, get to know others and share planning information. While we might all host a competition, there isn’t a competition amongst festivals – we all want to succeed and make this a great circuit! This is also a great place to start for any organizations who are considering starting a competition.
Feb. 24 Agenda
8:30 – 9 a.m. Registration
9 a.m. Welcome
9:30 a.m. Judges clinic
11 a.m. Judging the pigs (Four competitors will be cooking pigs overnight to different specifications so participants can get a hands-on experience in judging the pigs)
12 p.m. Lunch! (We’re not gonna let that good barbecue go to waste! Lunch includes chopped bbq, slaw, hushpuppies, dessert and drink – Sponsored by Visit Kinston!)
1 p.m. Cooks meeting and rules overview
2 p.m. Organizers meeting / Judges and cooks adjourn
3 p.m. Adjourn!
Registration details
What price tag do you put on an experience like this? I’m sure you’re thinking it must be at least $100 for all this barbecue fun. What would you say if we told you it’s just $25 for the judges track, $15 for cooks or $10 for organizers!?
What does registration get you other than a lot of great information?
Judges will receive a new apron, nametag and lunch
Cooks will get an apron and lunch
Organizers will receive an apron, binder and lunch
Totally worth it!
Register now!
Need to stay overnight?
Check out the Visit Kinston website for a listing of local hotels.
