Northside Christian in New Albany plays host as barbecue teams vie for state title

By DANIEL SUDDEATH
Daniel.Suddeath@newsandtribune.com

June 27, 2009 09:14 pm

— They are barbecue zombies, staying awake all night to make sure their ribs and brisket get the attention they need.
“These guys decided they didn’t like sleep,” joked Joe Craig, leader of the professional Acme BBQ team from Madison. His outfit features seven members, and many made the short trip to New Albany for Saturday’s Blues, Cruise & BBQ event at Northside Christian Church.
Teams from the Kansas City Barbeque Society competed in the Indiana State Championship Cookoff in the church’s parking lot, with more than $3,100 in prize money up for grabs.
It was the spotlight of the two-day festival that featured live music, hot rods and plenty of food.
Craig and his bunch rested under the shade of a pullout tarp as they waited for the competition results. It was Acme BBQ’s second event of the summer, as they took fourth place for best brisket in Jeffersonville last weekend at Smokin’ on the River.
Craig said they have been competing professionally for two years.
“There are a lot of great people on the circuit,” he said. “It’s about friendship and fellowship.”
Results weren’t in as of press time, but Craig was confident that Acme BBQ — which sports the motto “Our smoke’s no joke” — would place in all four categories. Pork, chicken, ribs and brisket were all judged at the event.
“I think we feel a lot more organized this time,” said Craig, who judged barbecue competitions before starting his professional team.
He said that experience helped him learn what judges prefer.
The two distinctive types of cooking are grilling and barbecuing, Craig explained. Grilling utilizes direct heat, while the slow method of barbecuing allows for smoke to penetrate the meat, giving it a distinct taste.
The competitors began cooking around 6 p.m. Friday and didn’t quit until Saturday afternoon.
As music from local Blues bands blared over speakers in the middle of the parking lot, Jordan LaLama, young adults intern for Northside Christian, served up $5 plates of barbecue to hot but entertained spectators.
“We’ve been very busy, especially last night despite the heat,” he said. “The people love it.”
It was the first year the barbecue championship was hosted at the church, and LaLama said he hopes they can bring it back again next year.
It wasn’t all about fun and games, as the church collected canned food items for area food pantries. LaLama said the event also provided outreach opportunities for Northside Christian.
Church member Kevin Manring, operator of Juicy Butts BBQ, came up with the idea for hosting the competition at Northside Christian.

ABOUT THE KCBS
• The Kansas City Barbeque Society features more than 10,000 members worldwide, as the organization sanctions about 300 contests a year. For more information, go to the Web site www.kcbs.us.

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