‘SMOKESLAM’ INAUGURAL BBQ FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN MEMPHIS, IN MAY

Competition Carries Largest Prize Purse, $250,000, in BBQ History

MEMPHIS, February 13, 2024 – Mempho Presents, the organizers of the new Memphis barbecue festival, have launched a three-day BBQ festival called ‘SmokeSlam’ with the tagline: ‘The World’s Ultimate BBQ Showdown’.  The event will take place from May 16-18, 2024, at Tom Lee Park and has attracted over 100 interested teams.

Melzie Wilson, a lifelong supporter of competition barbecue and respected community leader with over 20-plus years in the sport, has joined the SmokeSlam steering committee to help organize the event: “I have invested many years of my life into the barbecue world, and I’m excited to see a multi-sanctioned barbeque competition, combined with an expanded fan experience, come to our city. The name, ‘SmokeSlam,’ perfectly captures the essence of BBQ and the intensity of competition, which is what this event is all about. I have no doubt it will attract Memphians from all walks of life and visitors from all parts of the U.S. to downtown Memphis.”

The event, which carries a purse of $250,000, the largest in pork BBQ competition history, has also partnered with the Memphis BBQ Network (MBN) to run the judging for the competition. “The World Food Championship is sanctioning our Ancillaries and first-place winners of the 7 categories will receive a Golden Ticket to their annual event.  The Memphis Barbecue Network is sanctioning our Pork Championship. The teams will then have the contest benefits but will have points for those teams competing to go toward their Team of the Year.  We will also award our first place winners of Whole Hog, Pulled Pork and Ribs a Golden Ticket as well to the WFC,” Wilson added.

Categories will include Whole Hog, Ribs, and Pulled Pork, with prizes awarded across five places per category, totaling $150,000 in prize money. Seven categories of Dessert, Bacon, Duck, Poultry, Beef, Seafood, and Wings have been added, with a total prize of $40,000 across five places. The grand prize in the MBN Pork competition will be $50,000 for the winning team. Small prizes to the value of $10,000 will also be awarded.

Space will be limited to ensure the quality of competition and the best use of the venue space for a high-quality fan experience. The steering committee will make the final selection of teams. “We want to make sure that we have the best mix of competitors and that we design the space to take advantage of the amazing venue. Team booths will be available in Tom Lee Park on the river, and for those who prefer street access, there will be booths available on Riverside Drive,” says Wilson. The cost will range from $2,000 for a basic space to $3,500 for a larger booth, including entrance fees, some electrical access, and ablutions.

SmokeSlam’s mission will be to produce an inclusive event that enhances the rich tradition of barbecue in Memphis, the unique river setting, and the city’s musical heritage: “Our event is called a festival because we aim to attract barbecue fans, but also families, music lovers and young people from Memphis and beyond,” says Mike Smith from Mempho Presents.

The festival will include a carnival with a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and games; a central marketplace, which will be a partnership with local businesses where fans will be able to buy merchandise and other goods; and an interactive element where fans will be able to sample food and participate in fun food-related events. There will also be award-winning musical acts each night.

“True to our heritage in organizing large fan-based experiences, SmokeSlam will have live music on all three nights, catering to a range of musical tastes, with both local and national talent performing. There will be something for everyone, with the barbecue competition at the core of the event,” says Smith.

Organizers are currently in discussion with several large sponsors, and more news will follow on partnerships with local charitable causes, influencers, and celebrity talent.

For more information, teams can contact Mempho Presents at [email protected] or at  https://bbqfest.wufoo.com/forms/bbq-competition-entry-form/.

About Mempho Presents

Mempho Presents is owned by a group of Memphians focused on improving our city and our music and tourism industries. Our mission is to ignite the power of live music and events, creating extraordinary experiences that resonate with fans.

For more information, contact:
Lindsay Stevens
[email protected]

Mike Smith, Forward Momentum
[email protected]