American Legion S. Mike Lacy Post 554
1650 Hwy 3 S
League City Texas 77573
281-332-8733
Dear Dedicated Cookers!
Please consider this your invitation to join us in the 40th Annual American Legion Post 554 Spring BBQ Cook-Off Fundraiser to be held on April 26-27, 2024. The mission of our Cook-Off supports the needs for our Veterans, Community and Youth programs. The American Legion BBQ Cook-Off Fundraiser is a family fun event in addition to being our biggest fundraiser to support our missions. Be sure and read through the full packet as we have made a few improvements and changes.
To compete you will need to complete the 2024 Official Team Registration included in this packet (select link) and submit it with full payment by April 22, 2024. Applications accepted beginning February 1, 2024. Late entry fee of $225.00 available after April 22, 2024, up until April 26, 2024, 11:00 a.m. depending on cook off spot availability. The members of American Legion Post 554 deeply appreciate your attendance and donations to our fundraising efforts through our BBQ Cook-Off. We enjoy hosting the Cook-Off each year and hope to see you this year! Please note that the Cook-Off packet is also available on our website as well as Facebook. Feel free to share with friends and family that may want to participate.
The Cook-Off is open to the public. Join us on Facebook at American Legion Canteen 554 If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.
Regards, Tim Dohr Post Commander
281-332-8733 alegion554@yahoo.com
AMERICAN LEGION S. Mike Lacy POST 554
40th ANNUAL SPRING BAR-B-QUE COOK-OFF Fundraiser 1650 Highway 3 So., League City, TX 77573
When: Friday, April 26th and Saturday, April 27th, 2024
What: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Beans, Potato Salad and Showmanship
Entry Fee: $200.00 Includes beef, chicken, pork, beans, potato salad and showmanship categories.
Must enter beef, chicken, pork, to be eligible for Grand Champion and Reserve Champion
Applications accepted beginning February 1, 2024, and should be submitted by April 22, 2024 Late entry fee of $225.00 available after April 22, 2024, up until April 26, 2024, 11:00 a.m. depending on cook off spot availability.
Turn in Times: For Saturday, April 27th, 2024 Potato Salad: 11:00 am Beans: 12:00 Noon Chicken: 1:00 pm Pork: 2:00 pm Beef: 3:30 pm
Showmanship: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm Awards/Prizes: Presentation around 5:00 pm. on Saturday, April 27th, 2024 A Foghorn will be sounded 10 minutes prior to each category turn-in time.
Beef
- 1st Place Trophy and $300.00
- 2nd Place Trophy and $150.00
- 3rd Place Trophy and $50.00
Chicken
- 1st Place Trophy and $300.00
- 2nd Place Trophy and $150.00
- 3rd Place Trophy and $50.00
Pork
- 1st Place Trophy and $300.00
- 2nd Place Trophy and $150.00
- 3rd Place Trophy and $50.00
Beans
- 1st Place Trophy and
- 2nd Place Trophy and
- 3rd Place Trophy $100.00 $50.00
Potato Salad
- 1st Place Trophy and $50.00
- 2nd Place Trophy $25.00
- 3rd Place Trophy
Showmanship
- 1st Place Trophy and $100
- 2nd Place Trophy $50.00
Grand Champion
- Grand Champion Trophy and $500.00
Grand Champion Reserve
- Grand Champion Reserve Trophy and $250.00
BBQ Cook-Off Contest Rules and Regulations:
All meat will be inspected by the committee on Friday, April 26th. If inspection does not pass by the committee, the team will be disqualified. •
NO meat may be pre-seasoned, pre-marinated, pre-injected or pre-anything at time of inspection.
NO pre-cut chicken.
All cooks are to prepare and cook in a sanitary manner as possible. Cooking conditions are subject to inspection by the judging committee at any given time.
Beef: A minimum of 10 lbs. of beef brisket must be cooked. No single steaks will be considered by the judges.
Pork: Ribs will be accepted. No single steaks will be considered by judges. No baby back ribs. St. Louis Style are ok
Chicken: One half (1/2) chicken (include breast, thigh, drumstick, wing) must be submitted complete and uncut.
Beans: Beans may be pre-soaked but must be cooked on-site. No pre-cooked beans will be allowed. Remember they must be pinto beans. Cook at least one pound. Contestants may add ham-hocks, bacon, etc... for seasoning while beans are cooking, however, NO MEAT or anything larger than the bean will be allowed in the judging cup.
Potato Salad: Potato Salad can be made in advance. No garnishes allowed i.e. eggs on top or paprika. Eggs and other seasonings can be mixed in if desired but not placed on top.
CRITERIA FOR TURN IN:
Contest meat should be submitted without any garnishing or any other addition items other than the meat. Any contest meat submitted with any garnishing is subject to disqualification.
Brisket: A total of 7 slices placed in the provided Styrofoam container horizontal, not vertical. Brisket should be facing you when the box is opened. Ribs: A total of 7 cut ribs placed in the provided Styrofoam container horizontal, not vertical. Chicken: One half uncut (1/2) chicken (include breast, thigh, drumstick, wing) placed in the provided Styrofoam container. Beans: Fill the provided Styrofoam container ½ full. Potato Salad: Fill the provided Styrofoam container.
Clarification on BBQ Pits
Any commercial or homemade trailered or un-trailered pit or smoker normally used for competitive barbeque. Pit should be a permanent design which contains separate chambers for heat source and cooking area. Barrel cookers are allowed. Pellet cookers are not permitted. The use of gas or electricity is permitted to ignite wood or natural fiber substance, but not to assist or complete the cooking process. Electrical accessories such as, but not limited to, spits, augers, forced drafts heat lamps or any other electrical heating or holding device are prohibited. Gas and electric are allowed for the cooking of beans only.
A team consists of one chief cook and up to four assistants.
Chief cook’s meeting will be Wednesday, April 22, 2024, at the American Legion Hall Post 554, League City, TX at 6:30 pm. At this time, you may pick your cook-off spot. Spot selection will be by the order of dated and timed paid entry. A representative of your cook-off team may represent the chief cook.
There will be an additional meeting at 9:00 am on Saturday, April 27th, 2024, to pick up judging containers and answer questions or concerns. •
A Foghorn will be sounded 10 minutes prior to each category turn-in time.
All judging containers shall be clean and free of obvious marks. Marked containers may be disqualified at the Head Judges’ discretion. Cooks are responsible for ensuring the containers they receive are clean and undamaged. No prize will be awarded without the matching duplicate ticket. •
Head cooks are prohibited as tasting judges in all phases.
Judging is based on Aroma, Appearance, Taste, Aftertaste and Tenderness.
BBQ Grand Champion and BBQ Reserve Champion teams are chosen from highest overall score in the BBQ categories: Beef Brisket, Chicken, and Pork Ribs. In case of a tie in the BBQ Grand and Reserve Champion winners, places earned in the culinary categories will be used to break the tie. If a tie still exists, highest score in the Beef Brisket category will be used as a tie breaker, then Chicken, then ribs.
A 30 x 30 space will be provided for each team. Props, trailer, etc. must not exceed the boundaries of the assigned space. ONE MOTOR HOME, CAMPER OR VEHICLE ONLY will be allowed inside the space. NO VEHICLES, MOTOR HOMES OR TRAILERS can be parked in front of the space. All space selections will be based on order of signup (first to sign, first to select, etc.)
Additional RV Parking is available on the North side of the property along the ditch at $50.00 each. All these spaces are first come, first serve. • Contestants must supply ALL needed equipment and supplies. American Legion Post 554 will provide space only.
Contestants may move in between 12 noon and 10:00 pm. on Friday, April 26th, 2024. All meat will be inspected at the time of check-in and may be put on the grill any time after inspection. All contestants must be set up before 8:00 am. on Saturday, April 27th, 2024.
A few Port-A-Cans will be available for public usage and will be located at each end of the cook off grounds.
Any teams requiring their own Port-A-Can for their site may order a regular one for $50.00. THIS MUST BE RESERVED AND PAID FOR BY APRIL 22nd WITH YOUR ENTRY FEE/FORM AT THE COOK’S MEETING. PORT-A- CAN ORDERS AFTER APRIL 22nd CANNOT BE GUARANTEED.
Holes or dug pits are not permitted.
American Legion Post 554 will not be responsible for theft, damage, or injury.
It is the responsibility of the team to see the contest area is kept clean during and after the contest. Failure to do so will result in the team not being allowed to enter the following year.
Contest committee members reserve the right to make additional regulations as situations warrant. Decisions of the committee chairmen and the judges are final.
Chief cook will be held responsible for the conduct of his/her team and their guests. Fighting or excessive use of alcoholic beverages will be grounds for disqualification of the team.
No open bars will be allowed. Beer will be sold at the American Legion to the public. No drinks will be allowed to be taken in or out of the building. The Canteen opens at 10:00 a.m.
Under NO circumstances will any aisle be blocked by contestants or guests after set-up on Friday. Golf Carts, Motor Vehicles, Motorcycles, Roller Skates/Blades, or any type of transportation (with the exception of wheelchairs or handicap transportation) will not be allowed in the contest area. • All music must be turned down by 10:00 pm. per City Ordinance.
Neither contestants nor members of the general public will be allowed inside the judging area. During judging, please do not speak to any of the judges. You will be able to visit after the category they are judging is over.
No dumping of left-over fire substances (wood or wood products) in the dumpster.
Showmanship RULES
1. Show teams must have a cook entered in the cook-off in order to qualify for showmanship points.
2. Showmanship shall be judged on: Originality, ability to capture team theme and artistic merit.
3. Should be ready for the judges by 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Judging shall be on a continuous basis for two to four hours during the cook-off.
4. Sound amplification may be used, with limited volume, so as not to interfere with surrounding cooks.
5. Showmanship must be limited so as not to interfere with other cook-off teams, or to cause hazardous or unsafe conditions to exist.
6. Nudity and lewdness are banned from showmanship.
SHOW JUDGE RULES Showmanship judging will be on a one to five-point system (5 is high), using an average of the criteria previously stated. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, contact the following
Committee members: Benny Jaramillo – 409-771-4024 – cookoff554@yahoo.com Gabe Onofre- 281-615-2702- gabe.onofre@gmail.co
For a printable file of the Rules and Requirements
For the Sponsorship / donation Form
Donation Form only
2024 Official Team Registration