When you’ve lost everything in life you hold dear,  you’re down and out, or you’ve been in such a tough spot for a while that you don’t even have the basics like the up to date personal identification required to gain employment and get back on your feet, the future can look pretty bleak.

That’s where Central Floridians who find themselves in such a state can turn to a group called IDignity.  IDignity specializes in helping the disadvantaged in Central Florida overcome the difficulties of obtaining the personal identification that is crucial to enabling them to become self-sufficient.  Like all non-profits, IDignity relies on funding from grants and charity events. Luckily, there’s a swingin’ BBQ Event in Downtown Orlando, FL that has answered the call.

3rd Annual Downtown BBQ Cookoff – Orlando, FL

Trinity Downtown is bringing back to Orlando, Florida’s city center a classic Southern competition — bragging rights for the best BBQ in town.

On Saturday, August 20, they’ll be hosting the 3rd annual Downtown BBQ Cook-off and Family Festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Trinity campus at 123 E. Livingston St. in Orlando (across from the Orange County Courthouse).

The end-of-summer event features a BBQ cook-off showcasing professional and amateur teams from the Central Florida area, as well as a Kids’ Play Zone and live entertainment, featuring rising Country Music Star Johnny Bulford.

Up to 30 teams of local grillers will face off in three meat categories — pulled pork, chicken, ribs — with the challenge of coming up with a unique and award-winning sauce, rub or secret recipe.

They’ll be competing for $3,600 in prize money and awards, including Best Pulled Pork, Best BBQ Chicken, Best Ribs, People’s Choice Award and overall Grand Champion.

The 2010 Grand Champion, Uncle’s Kenny’s BBQ of Winter Garden, has already reserved a spot to defend his title.

Prizes Awarded:

• $1000 – Grand Champion (Sum of 3 meat catergories)
• $500 – Reserve Grand Champ (2nd place)
• $200 – Backyard Champ (Highest placed amatuer)
• $300 – 1st place meat (Awarded in each meat category)
• $200 – 2nd place meat
• $100 – 3rd place meat
• $100 – People’s Choice Champ

Think You Know Good BBQ? $10 Let’s You Be the Judge!

The People’s Choice Taste Test will be offered in two seatings at noon and at 2:30 p.m. for a $10 wristband that will include pulled pork samples, baked beans, cole slaw and a vote for the best pulled pork.

A $2 adult admission will go entirely to IDignity, a non-profit that helps the poor acquire identity documents necessary for employment, medical care, food and housing.

Live music will start at 11 a.m. with The Stumblers followed by sets from headliner Johnny Bulford beginning at 12:30. The Brew Crew comes on stage at 3:30 p.m. and will wrap things up with a break at 4 p.m. for the watermelon-eating contest and BBQ prize announcements at 5 p.m.

The judging panel will feature:

• Chief judge — College Park architect Ed Thomas, a certified Florida, Memphis and KC Barbecue judge, along with 5 FL. BBQ master judges, and
• Jake Vest – creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip That’s Jake and
• a former Orlando Sentinel writer and columnist;
• Heather McPherson — food editor for The Orlando Sentinel;
• Marc Daniels – UCF Sports Radio / The Beat of Sports;
• Eric André – Orlando Culinary Academy
• Rob Rivenbark – Orlando Fire Department
• Phil Walters – Orange County Sherriff Chaplain
• David Martens – president Lake Eola Historic District HOA
• Jerry Greene – Central Florida radio personality
• Tatooed Bill Roberts – a local artist and proprietor of Graffiti Junktion

A family-friendly atmosphere throughout the campus will feature live, on-stage music and entertainment all day; tented area for dining; other barbecue, food and beer concessions; local vendors; and much more. A Kids’ Zone will showcase wet and dry games and activities to entertain children of all ages. Play options include a climbing wall, waterslide, pony rides, carnival games and bounce house. A $10 bounce-all-day wristband for younger children includes a hot dog lunch and unlimited bounce house admission.

The festival also will host booths from local charities and community and civic groups. Parking is available in a garage across the street.

Aside from the $2 Adult Admission Fee, Event proceeds will support the ministries of Trinity Lutheran Church — caring for downtown Orlando since 1919.

Interested in Vending this event?  Contact Team Captain – Matt Miessler: MTMiessler@gmail.com 321.279.6720.  For more information, visit www.DowntownBBQCookoff.com or call 407-295-6269.

Well folks, Mike and Kris Boisvert of Lakeside Smokers out of Methuen, MA conquered yet another 2011 KCBS Competition at this year’s Harpoon Championships of New England BBQ.  Now, this is my kind of competition!  Put on by the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, VT, there were definitely many fine beers had during what Mike reports as a real roaster of an event!  100 degree F temps in VT!  Woah!

Final results for Lakeside Smokers were as follows: 

• 1st Place Chicken
• 11th Place Ribs
• 4th Place Pork
• 6th Place Brisket