VALDOSTA —
The 17th Annual 100 Black Men of Valdosta Barbecue Cookoff Competition is like Christmas for Valdosta. Everyone waits for it all year long and when it finally arrives it’s like being showered with gifts ... gifts of barbecue.
As noon approached on Saturday, smoke puffs rising into the air signaled the official start of the barbecue. All of downtown Valdosta was flooded with the delicious smell of meat being cooked to perfection. Masses of people flocked to purchase plates of chicken, pulled pork and ribs with all the fixings. While guests craved the sweet taste of barbecue, cooks craved something else entirely. Their mouths watered for gold.
A total of 14 barbecue cooks — in two categories of backyard/patio and commercial — competed for the title of the best barbecue in Valdosta.
“I won first place last year in the backyard category and second place the year before that,” said Michael Anderson, the owner of Creations by Mike Catering.
Various barbecue vendors had tables filled with trophies to showcase their history of being named the best. It was Sam’s BBQ, however, that not only had the most trophies displayed but also had the longest line of people waiting to eat their award winning barbecue. All of the Sam’s BBQ team member even wore shirts that boasted: “Eleven Time Winners.”
There were even some new comers this year, such as True Reflections Catering Service. While Victor McKinnon has been cooking barbecue for since he was 16 years-old (which totals out to ten years) and has entered the backyard/patio category before, this was the first year he competed in the commercial competition.
“It’s the first time my catering business has been in the competition,” said McKinnon. “An estimate: I’ve probably served about 65 people so far.”
The competition was steep and, for guests, the variety of vendors posed a challenge. They not only had to fight for parking but they also had to fight the crowd and make the decision of which barbecue vendor would serve their afternoon lunch. Many couldn’t just choose one.
“I like to do the sampler from each one of them,” said Dorothia Belk. “But I always like Sam’s.”
Sharyshema Reynolds and Kevin Anderson spent some time on the sidewalk overwhelmed by their choices.
“We’re trying to decide where to eat,” said Anderson.
The barbecue cookoff even had some international visitors. Eva Zander and Sarah May from Denmark were traveling through Valdosta and decided to stop by for some authentic, Southern barbecue.
“We love it,” said Zander. “The food is so great.”
Not only could guests enjoy as much barbecue as their stomachs could hold, but a local band flooded downtown with good tunes that served as the perfect addition to the authentic southern cuisine that holds a special place in Valdosta’s history.
While all the barbecue tasted just as good as it smelled, only a few cooks would be able to walk away Saturday with the title of being the best. Thomas Newbern of First Federal Savings and Loan, Dwayne Crawford, senior vice president of development with the national office of 100 Black Men of America and Dean Poling, the assistant managing editor of the Times, served as three of eight the barbecue contest judges. They also announced the following winners:
• Backyard/Patio Category:
First Place: James Bell
Second Place: Michael Anderson
Third Place: James McClain
• Commercial Category:
First Place: Sam’s Barbecue
Second Place: Gator Barbecue
Third Place: Wynn’s
While not every contestant walked away with a prize, every guest without a doubt walked away from downtown Saturday with a satisfied appetite for what many consider to be the best barbecue in the South.
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