Another Cookoff in Asheboro, NC

In 2014, leaders and planners of Asheboro, NC, which has 25,000 residents, organized the inaugural Pigs and Pedals BBQ Cookoff, and the first event surpassed their highest expectations. Now in its sixth year, the contest has annually set records as it brings visitors to the city’s historic downtown district.

Mayor David Smith of Asheboro welcomes judges to the city.

I was fortunate to have been selected in its inaugural year of being sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, and I have judged in Asheboro at this contest on more occasions than any other cookoff. The only time that I couldn’t attend is 2015. Each year the event seems to grow with more activities and larger crowds.

Judges are sworn in before judging activities begin.

Located in the heart of North Carolina, Asheboro is an easy drive for many judges and teams. For me, it’s a short drive from home. The cookoff is one of my favorites not because it’s so close but because the organizers treat the judges so generously with door prizes and gift bags. Literally every judge takes home a prize. In fact, half of the judges’ meeting is taken up by giving out gifts during the door-prize drawing.

I won the cooler bag that every judge wants.

Contagious Q, the defending champion, set up early and was only a few steps away from the turn-in table. This year four other teams scored higher overall than it did, but it did win third place in the ribs category. The new defending champion now is Smoke Central BBQ, who also won the pork category.

Contagious Q set up early and hoped to repeat as grand champion.

The two-day signature event of the local chamber of commerce, area visitors bureau, and the city continues to impress. This year 40 teams vied for a share of the $12,000 in prize money. Most of the teams set up around Bicentennial Park, but several were located farther away and had about a five-minute walk to the turn-in area.

Cooking teams set up around Bicentennial Park in the historic downtown district.

During the weekend, other barbecue competitions include a people’s choice contest and a kids’ que (a contest for ages 6 to 15). In addition to an antique car show on the downtown streets, a food and beer garden with entertainment is very popular. Several food, craft, and merchandise vendors also offer something of interest for almost everyone.

The car show, limited to 200 vehicles, continues to grow in popularity.

Pigs and Pedals will continue to be a popular event each August for the public, judges, and cooking teams. Being located in the heart of North Carolina helps to make it well-attended, but more important is how well the competition is organized. It’s a superior cookoff.

Children ages 6 to 15 compete in the kids' que contest.