SmokeSlam Unveils More Than Just BBQ; A Three-Day Festival For BBQ Fans And The Whole Family

Memphis, Tennessee – SmokeSlam, the ultimate BBQ festival, is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for BBQ enthusiasts, families, foodies, and tourists alike. In addition to showcasing the world’s richest prize in BBQ, SmokeSlam has unveiled an exciting lineup of activities and partnerships that make it more than just a BBQ competition.

One of the highlights of the festival is the Live Fire Extravaganza, which will take place daily. Renowned pitmasters such as Al Frugoni, Chris Stafford (LoneMountainBBQ), Misty Banchero (SeattleButchersWife), and Toni Ramirez (TFTI) will be cooking up endless mouthwatering bites for guests to enjoy. From sliders and wings to street tacos and shrimp and grits, there will be something to satisfy every palate. And for those looking for vegetarian options, BBQ’d veggies and fruits will also be available.

But SmokeSlam is not just about BBQ. The festival has partnered with the non-profit organization Project Green Fork to provide food to underprivileged communities across Memphis. By retrieving surplus food from the festival and distributing it to community stakeholders, SmokeSlam is making a positive impact on the local community.

To cater to families, SmokeSlam has introduced stroller- and diaper bag-friendly rules. This means that parents can bring their little ones to enjoy the festival without any hassle. Kids will also have the opportunity to be inspired by young pitmasters competing in Melissa Cookston’s World Junior Barbecue League.

For those looking for something other than BBQ, SmokeSlam has added a plethora of activities to keep guests entertained. 901 Pickleball, sponsored by Wickles Pickles, will be providing four full-size pickleball courts for anyone who wants to give the sport a try. There will also be music, coaches, and demo gear available for those new to the game.

Live music will also be a major highlight of the festival, with performances by popular artists such as Tone Loc, WAR, and The Bar-Kays. And to add to the festive atmosphere, there will be a fireworks display every night.

Food vendors will be aplenty at SmokeSlam, with local favorites such as Mempops, Pronto Pups, Sawce Pizza, and Tica’s Burger Joint serving up delicious treats. The Memphis Market, curated by Memphis Flavor, will also be selling the city’s finest rubs and sauces, providing guests with the opportunity to take home a taste of Memphis.

In addition to the exciting lineup of events and activities, SmokeSlam boasts the largest cash prize purse in history, now at $275,000. Winners will also receive one-of-a-kind trophies designed and created by the famed Memphis Metal Museum.

SmokeSlam has received support from various sponsors, including Bud Light, B&B Charcoal, Duraflame, Cowboy Charcoal, White Claw, and Coca-Cola. The festival is set to take place at Tom Lee Park, with doors opening at 2 PM each day and the park closing at midnight.

Thursday:

2 PM – 8 PM – B&B Charcoal Live Fire Extravaganza presented by NBBQA
2:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Christy Vanovers @girlscangril
3:00 PM – WFC Bacon Judging Starts
3:30 PM – Cooking Demo with John Lindsey @allquedupbbq
4:00 PM – WFC Wings Judging Starts
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM Meet and Greets with Head Pitmasters Al Frugoni and Derek Wolf (OvertheFireCooking) (VIP ONLY)
4:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Erica Roby @bluesmokeblair
5:00 PM – WFC Dessert Judging Starts
5:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Ray Sheehan @chef.raysheehan
5:45 PM – 6:45 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: Noisy Cats Are We
6:00 PM – 7:00 – Meet and Greets with Myron Mixon (5x World Champion), Heath Riles (75x BBQ Grand Champion), and Carey Bringle (PegLegPorker) (VIP ONLY)
6:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Robert Perkins/Pancho and Lefty
7:15 PM -8:15 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: Mustache The Band
7:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Mike Starr @blazingstarbbq
8:45 PM – 10:15 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: Mix Tape Tour featuring Tone Loc, Rob Base, Young MC, DJ M Walk

Friday

2 PM – 8 PM – B&B Charcoal Live Fire Extravaganza presented by NBBQA
2:30 PM – Cooking Demo with John Lindsey @allquedupbbq
2:30 PM – WFC Duck Judging Starts
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Meet and Greets with Logan Sandoval (ZefBBQ) and Netflix BBQ Showdown Champion Thyron Mathews (VIP only)
3:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Ray Sheehan @chef.raysheehan
4:00 PM – WFC Seafood Judging Starts
4:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Erica Roby @bluesmokeblair
4:45 PM – 5:30 PM Live Music at the White Claw Stage: Hope Clayburn & Soul Scrimmage
5:15 PM – 6:15 PM – Meet and Greets with Melissa Cookston (7xWorld BBQ Champion), Erica Roby (Blue Smoke Blair), and TV personality Gina Neely
5:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Kunchi @cookinwidkunchi
6 PM – 7:15 PM WFC Awards Ceremony hosted by Erica Roby of Blue Smoke Blaire and Gina Neely (Host of Bluff City Life)
6:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Thyron Mathews @thyronmathew
7:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Mike Starr @blazingstarbbq
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: The Bar-Kays
9 PM – 10:15 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: War

Saturday

2:00 – MBN Finals Judging Begins
2 PM – 8 PM – B&B Charcoal Live Fire Extravaganza presented by NBBQA
2:30 PM – Cooking Demo with John Lindsey @allquedupbbq
3:00 PM – WJBL Chicken Turn in
3:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Christy Vanovers @girlscangrill
3:30 PM – WJBL Ribs Turn in
4:00 PM – WJBL Pork Turn In
4:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Erica Roby @bluesmokeblair
4:30 PM – WJBL Brisket Turn In
5:15 PM – 7:15 PM World Junior Barbecue League (WJBL) Awards followed by Memphis Barbecue Network (MBN) Awards hosted by Thyron & Logan from Netflix’s Barbecue Showdown
5:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Ray Sheehan @chef.raysheehan
7:15 PM – 8:15 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: SmokeSlam Players
8:45 PM – 10:15 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: St Paul and the Broken Bones
**Saturday Meet and Greets for VIP to be announced.

Tickets for SmokeSlam are available for purchase online or at the gate. General admission tickets are priced at $24.99 for a single day and $65 for all three days. VIP tickets, which include special guest appearances, book signings, and more, are priced at $240 per day or $599 for the entire three-day festival.

As SmokeSlam promises to be an unforgettable experience for BBQ enthusiasts and families alike, it is an event not to be missed. Whether you’re a fan of mouthwatering BBQ, live music, or exciting activities, SmokeSlam has something for everyone. So mark your calendars and get ready to indulge in the ultimate BBQ festival experience.

About SmokeSlam

SmokeSlam is an upcoming BBQ festival organized by Mempho Presents, a group deeply rooted in Memphis, music, and barbecue. The inaugural SmokeSlam competition will take place from May 16 to 18, 2024, at Tom Lee Park in Memphis, TN. With a prize purse of $275,000, SmokeSlam boasts the largest pork BBQ competition prize in history. The Memphis BBQ Network (MBN) has partnered with SmokeSlam to oversee the pork championship judging. This MBN-sanctioned event allows teams to compete in all three main categories, with category winners having the opportunity to earn a ‘Golden Ticket’ to participate in the World Food Championships (WFC) in the autumn. The WFC will also be sanctioning the ancillary competitions held on Thursday and Friday. For additional details, please visit www.SmokeSlam.com.

About Mempho Presents

Mempho Presents is a branch of Forward Momentum that specializes in organizing exceptional live events and creating memorable experiences for fans. Their focus is on producing shows and events throughout the year, primarily in Memphis, TN, and the surrounding Mid-South area. For additional details, please visit https://memphopresents.com/.

SOURCE SmokeSlam

https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage

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La PORTE, Ind. – Get ready for a treat that will tantalize your taste buds! American Licorice™ Company and the SOUR PUNCH® brand have officially launched their newest candy innovation: Sour Punch Assorted Gummies. With a delightful new gummy texture and irresistible sourness, these gummies are set to be a hit among candy lovers. Let’s dive into what makes this new candy venture so exciting!

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Healthy and Kosher Certified:
Not only do these Sour Punch Gummies offer an explosion of flavor, but they also cater to health-conscious consumers. They are free from fats and sodium, making it a guilt-free indulgence. In addition, Sour Punch Assorted Gummies are Kosher certified, ensuring their suitability for a wide range of dietary needs.

An Inclusive Offering:
Wendy Dattilo, American Licorice Co. Product Manager, expressed great excitement about this new addition to the Sour Punch family. She believes that the combination of delectable flavors and the introduction of the new gummy texture will captivate both existing fans and newcomers. The incorporation of the adored Sour Punch mascot, Pun-Chi, adds an extra touch of fun to the product line.

Availability:
Starting summer 2024, Sour Punch Gummies will gradually roll out in retail stores and are also available for purchase online at Shop.AmericanLicorice.com. Keep an eye out for these delectable treats and be prepared to embark on a sour-yet-sweet adventure.

A Legacy of Deliciousness:
With over a century of candy-making experience, American Licorice Company has become one of the top manufacturers in the industry. Renowned for their popular Red Vines® candy, they entered the sour candy market in 1990 with the release of Sour Punch® candy and haven’t looked back since. Their commitment to producing high-quality candies ensures a delightful experience with every bite.

Get ready to pucker up and enjoy the mouthwatering goodness of Sour Punch Assorted Gummies! With their combination of exciting flavors, gummy texture, and Sour Punch’s signature sweet-yet-sour punch, these candies are sure to become a favorite among candy enthusiasts. Check out www.AmericanLicorice.com and www.SourPunch.com for more information and to find a store near you. Treat yourself to this tantalizing new candy and step into a world of pure sour bliss!

Source: American Licorice Company

(Family Features) A beautifully designed charcuterie board may feel more like a grown-up treat, but with the right ingredients, delicious grazing boards can provide fun and nutrition for the whole family.

No matter what you call it, charcuterie boards, grazing boards and snack platters are all basically the same thing. The boards make a trendy addition to an entertaining menu, but a platter or kid-friendly board can be equally pleasing.

What you serve on a grazing board is entirely up to you. Most include a selection of meats and cheeses, and many incorporate nuts, crackers, dips and jams. Some also incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables. Creating your own board means there really are no rules; you can add just about anything you want.

To build a successful board, keep these tips in mind:

Choose ingredients and elements that don’t require temperature control. The idea of a grazing board is that it sits out for a while. Avoid anything that needs refrigeration, heat or will lose its shape or flavor if it rests for an extended amount of time.

Select a surface large enough to hold a variety of food. It can be a simple cutting board or a cute platter. There’s no specific size requirement but err on the side of bigger; spacing out your goodies can be more attractive and less messy.

Use high-quality ingredients to ensure every bite is delicious and nutritious. While shopping, remember to look for the Produce for Kids and Healthy Family Project logos next to favorite items in the produce department, as adding these flavorful fruits and veggies to your cart can help make a difference in your community.

Build your board around a theme to add an extra element of fun. Use mini cookie cutters to make fun, kid-friendly shapes out of cheese and meats. Be mindful of colors; a rainbow platter is vibrant and appealing, and colorful fruits and veggies offer a strong mix of nutrients.

Remember it doesn’t have to be elaborate. Classic favorites are all you need. Even kid favorites like sections of mandarin oranges, carrot sticks and chocolate chips are fair game for a family-friendly board.

Find more ideas for creating family-friendly treats at healthyfamilyproject.com.

Taco Tuesday Board

Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project’s “Come Graze With Us” e-cookbook

• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Queso
• Hard and soft taco shells
• Ground turkey, seasoned and browned
• Lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Shredded cheese
• Chopped onions
• Chopped peppers
• Sour cream
• Cilantro
• Lime wedges

1. On grazing board or platter, arrange guacamole, salsa, queso, taco shells, ground turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, onions, peppers, sour cream, cilantro and lime wedges.

Weekend Breakfast Grazing Board

Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project’s “Come Graze With Us” e-cookbook

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Cooked sausage links
• Mini frozen waffles, toasted
• Mini frozen pancakes, toasted
• Mini muffins
• Yogurt
• Fresh fruit
• Syrup
• Jelly

1. On grazing board or platter, arrange eggs, sausage links, toasted waffles, toasted pancakes, muffins, yogurt, fruit, syrup and jelly.

SOURCE:
Healthy Family Project