Uwishunu.com

Tweet

 

Summer is the season for barbecue. And you know what they say: if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen… and cook outdoors instead.

Things will definitely be heating up at the 11th Annual Stephen Starr & Garry Maddox Barbecue Challenge, returning to Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, August 11, 2012.

Get ready for three hours of good eats and entertainment from 3:30-6:30 p.m. when twelve restaurants and 45 pit master teams compete for the best barbecue.

This year’s event will pit teams from six of Stephen Starr’s restaurants including Continental Mid-town, El Vez, Butcher and Singer, El Rey, Jones and Pod against other local barbecue restaurants like Famous Dave’s BBQ, El Camino Real and Bull’s BBQ. The competition also features a pit master division.

Hang out and watch the action along Citizens Bank Way just outside the park. But also be sure to come hungry: food sampling tickets will be available at the event for a $5 each or $10 for three tickets. Sounds like a deal!

All proceeds benefit the Youth Golf & Academics Program, a nonprofit founded by Garry Maddox to support the education and development of urban youth.

NOTE: While there is a Phillies game later that night, you do not need a Phillies game ticket to attend the Challenge. It’s open to the public along Citizens Bank Way.

In addition to the delicious barbecue, there will also be tons of family-friendly events to enjoy, including raffles, pitching games, a mechanical bull and ice cream trucks.

This year, you can enter to win brunch for you and five friends before the cook-off with two of Philadelphia’s all-time baseball legends: MLB Hall of Famer Michael Jack Schmidt and the Secretary of Defense Garry Lee Maddox. Raffle tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online now.

And with Stephen Starr’s reported recent interest in barbecue these days, this event presents a great opportunity to check out how his current offerings stack up.

The 11th Annual Stephen Starr & Garry Maddox Barbecue Challenge
When: Saturday, August 11, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Way outside Citizens Bank Park (Between the Third Base and Left Field Gates)
Cost: Free to attend; Tasting tickets are $5 each
More info: www.facebook.com/BBQChallenge