Seven barbecue teams are competing Saturday, June 29, in Ooltewah, where they will be judged on who serves the best grilled-cheese sandwich.
Wait – what?
Yes, that’s the new twist to this year’s Red, White & Brew Barbecue Brawl in Cambridge Square.
These teams of meat masters will begin grilling Friday night in preparation to turn in the yummiest brisket grilled cheese sandwich on Saturday. Visitors to the Barbecue Brawl can sample the meat they’ve prepared, which will be priced by the individual teams.
“The last couple of years we always turned in barbecue to the judges. We’re going to turn in a brisket grilled cheese this year. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like grilled cheese,” says Miranda Perez of InspireMi, the event-planning business organizing the cook-off.
“They can make their sandwiches however they want with their flavor profile – however they want to set themselves apart,” she says.
The panel of guest judges will choose the sandwich king, and visitors to Cambridge Square will choose the best barbecue in a People’s Choice vote.
James Walker will emcee the Barbecue Brawl, which begins Saturday at noon and concludes at 5 p.m. Perez says that while judges are tasting the sandwich entries, Walker will interview teams, asking them about their culinary creations and grilling styles.
Steve Ray, founder of the Barbecue Brawl, will compete with Owl’s Nest Barbecue.
“We are serving something really neat,” Ray says, enthusiasm evident in his voice.
“We’re cooking briskets weighing between 15 and 18 pounds each. We’re doing them all Texas-style. Our theme is simply: Texas brisket. You’ll be able to buy it by the pound for $18 or a sandwich for $10.
“It’s going to be cooked for 20 hours over oak wood on a real oak-fired pit. We’ll be serving it on butcher paper with white bread. It’s going to be the real thing,” Ray describes.
In addition to sampling the variety of barbecue, visitors can browse the booths of 14 vendors stationed around the square.
Another new addition to this year’s Barbecue Brawl is an after-party from 6 to 9 p.m.
Perez says that in the two previous years, organizers found visitors didn’t want to leave after the event ended.
“They like to stay around. So people will be able to stay for beverages from Heaven & Ale and listen to music of a live band,” she says.
So celebrate Independence Day with an all-American barbecue, and sample food from some of the most talented pit masters east of the Tennessee River.
If you go
* What: Red, White & Brew Barbecue Brawl
* Where: Cambridge Square, 9453 Bradmore Lane, Ooltewah
* When: Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, June 29; after-party 6-9 p.m.
* Admission: Free; barbecue priced by vendors
* For more information: 423-883-5633
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.