1999 marks the 22nd anniversary of this ultimate barbecue competition. Highlights of the 3-day event included competition in three categories: whole hog, shoulder and ribs. Program activities throughout the day and evening included Ms. Piggie, Hog Calling, Showmanship and the secondary events including 'Anything But', Barbecue Sauce and the new hot wings Competition. Fifty barbecue contests across the United States are now part of the MIM Sanctioned Contest Network.

Winners from regional contests are guaranteed a space for competition here, making the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest the "tournament of barbecue champions.Six years ago, a new category was developed entitled "Patio Porker" due to the increased cost to compete with touring competitors, many smaller, amateur teams had been excluded from competition. Memphis in May wanted to allow the "backyard" barbecue chefs the chance to compete without going up against the "Big Hogs."

1999 marks the 22nd anniversary of this ultimate barbecue competition. Highlights of the 3-day event included competition in three categories: whole hog, shoulder and ribs. Program activities throughout the day and evening included Ms. Piggie, Hog Calling, Showmanship and the secondary events including 'Anything But', Barbecue Sauce and the new hot wings Competition. Fifty barbecue contests across the United States are now part of the MIM Sanctioned Contest Network. Winners from regional contests are guaranteed a space for competition here, making the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest the "tournament of barbecue champions.Six years ago, a new category was developed entitled "Patio Porker" due to the increased cost to compete with touring competitors, many smaller, amateur teams had been excluded from competition. Memphis in May wanted to allow the "backyard" barbecue chefs the chance to compete without going up against the "Big Hogs."

Famous visitors have included Vice-President Gore, former Senator James Sasser (D-Tenn.), and former Nebraska Governor Bob Kerrey. The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest has received international coverage on New Zealand and Japanese televison. The WCBCC has also been spotlighted on "Good Morning America," the "Today Show," "CBS This Morning," and "Prime Time Live." The WCBCC has received national attention in The Smithsonian, New Yorker, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal. The ultimate award, the honor of "the largest pork barbecue cooking contest in the world" was bestowed on the WCBCC in the 1990 Guinness book of World Records and remains unchallenged today.

This year the 3Men decided to visit the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, with two main objectives. Firstly to party for 3 days and secondly to learn more about competing in barbecue contests. We are happy to report that both objectives were fully met. If there is one thing that sticks out above all else it would have to be the fine hospitality of the people in the South and in particular the Memphis folks. On more occassions than we can remember (perhaps too much partying ....) we were invited into various team enclosures while we happened to be walking by. We were fed and watered, and shown the entire cooking operation. We met up with Jerry Roach (JR), a good friend and well decorated barbecue veteran, who is also the manufacturer of the 3Men Competion Cooker. Walking around with JR was a real treat, as he knew just about every team competing ! Many of the top teams use JR's equipment and we enjoyed meeting all of them. We met a lot of wonderful people who really made this trip the huge success that it was. In particular we would like to thank the 'Coopers Patio Porkers' team who put up with us for a large part of the weekend, and introduced us to the Stoli Boli (a very foul mixture of champagne and vodka). Memphis in May is something that should not be missed by any fellow barbecue enthusiasts, and we will definately be back in 2000.

Warming up for the day .....	Scott tasting competition barbecue
Kevin visiting with the Willinghams team	Rich Lishewski - Personal Entertainer to the 3Men
Maury 'Stoli Boli' - Coopers Patio Porkers Team	What it is all about .....
Jerry Roach - Our Inspiration to it all