Willie T. Head Jr. hopes to see more people compete for the top chef spots in the 17th Annual 100 Black Men of Valdosta Barbecue Cookoff.

Head has organized the event for many of the years since its 1995 inception and has seen the cookoff’s proceeds benefit numerous students through SAT distribution, college scholarships, mentoring and other programs for the community.

But the Barbecue Cookoff needed more participants earlier this week to ensure helping more students. Head reported the contest had three registered commercial entries and 10 entries in the backyard/patio category.

In past years, the commercial competition has been fierce as area businesses try unseating Sam Watts; his Sam’s Barbecue has won the top commercial award several times through the years. Watts is registered to return to the cookoff this weekend, Head said, as are members of another commercial team that won top commercial honors in the past.

“It’s like football,” Head said of the barbecue cookoff. “Any given Sunday, anyone can win.”

The top prize in each category, commercial and backyard/patio, win $300.

As for the competition, Head said judges are kept separate from the contestants and do not know whose food they are tasting. The judges are not members of 100 Black Men of Valdosta but rather community people invited to sample the dishes. Judges taste barbecue entries in beef, pork and poultry.

Entrants start preparing these dishes as early as 6 a.m. Saturday, on-site. Head said the 100 Black Men of Valdosta ask all registered participants to arrive no earlier than 6, because the organization has plotted specific sites for entrants.

Participants are asked to have their dishes prepared by 10 a.m. with the public welcome to arrive for the daylong event at 9 a.m. Judging starts at noon. Participants pay a $200 entry fee but can sell their offerings to the public.

Blues/rock musician Johnnie Marshall provides entertainment from 11a.m.-3 p.m. A Whigham native, he once played the Valdosta area as Johnnie Marshall and the Blues Ignitors back in the 1990s. Marshall has recorded several albums, emphasizing his versatile and soulful guitar work, which, along with his live shows, have propelled him to success in the blues world.  

The 17th Annual 100 Black Men of Valdosta Barbecue Cookoff is scheduled for 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, Lowndes County Courthouse Square, Downtown Valdosta. The public is invited to attend. Barbecue and other vendor items will be available for purchase. Those wishing to compete in the barbecue cookoff, must register by 5 p.m. today; call Willie T. Head Jr., (229) 251-6134.