World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest officially underway in Memphis World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest officially underway in Memphis (Source: WMC) By Arianna Poindexter | May 12, 2021 at 4:55 PM CDT - Updated May 12 at 7:44 PM
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Hundreds of teams filled Tom Lee Park for the first time in nearly two years Wednesday, after the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
“The pandemic, you know, did shut us down last year, but gosh it is so beautiful to be out here, and we’ve got a gorgeous week ahead of us. We’re here all week, for the rest of the week, enjoying friends and family around the charcoal grill,” said Chris Lily, executive chef of Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ in Decatur, Alabama.