Returning to Rocky Mount

The city of Rocky Mount, NC, has developed an excellent reputation for being a wonderful host and excellent organizer of a barbecue cookoff each fall. The entire city seems to participate in the event, known as the Eastern Carolina BBQ Throwdown.

Cooking teams set up near the historic train station in Rocky Mount.

Because this year’s people’s choice contest followed a national pitmaster competition televised on the Food Network two months earlier, it seemed to attract more attention that the one held last year. The line at Prime Barbeque, a contestant on the broadcast program, was the longest of any during the contest.

The line at Prime Barbeque team was always long during the people's choice contest.

As the crowd walked by the teams set up on the grounds of the historic train station, bands played music from the “BBQ Stage” for several hours. This year 39 teams vied for a share in the total prize money of $20,000. The team Muttley Crew, winner of the 2017 cookoff, took home grand champion honors again.

Doug Reid, contest representative, begins the meeting for the judges.

Many judges had participated in this event in previous years, perhaps because the contest is so well-organized. However, a more compelling reason may be the cheesecake that each judge receives at the end of the contest. I’m persuaded — I hope to return again next year.

Cooking teams quietly prepare for the people's choice contest.