Cook-off pits local barbecue amateurs

Backyard barbecuers are invited to pit their skills against other amateurs on Saturday at Harlem's spring BBQ Cook-Off.

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"That's all this is, is backyard barbecuers," said event organizer Denise Carter, adding that no professionals are joining the competition.

The cook-off started in September, paired with the fall Trash to Treasures market and 2010 U.S. Census awareness event.

Carter said the cook-off is now an annual event associated with the spring Trash to Treasures, which will also be held Saturday in the field between the Harlem United Methodist Church and Harlem Baptist Church on West Milledgeville Road.

"This year, they (participants) can do ... barbecue pork and chicken," Carter said.

Barbecuers with special sauces can enter their concoctions in the sauce contest.

Cooking teams can start cooking at 7 a.m. Preseasoning, marinating or injecting are allowed, but the contest entries must be cooked on site, Carter said.

Sauce entries can be made in advance and must include at least a pint of the sauce.

"They can sell whatever they want that they cook," Carter said, adding that items to be sold can be pre-cooked.

The entry fee is $25 for the barbecue contest and $10 for each sauce entry.

Cash awards include $100 for the first-place prize and a $25 King of Sauce prize.

The city's semiannual Trash to Treasures market will run from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Booths are free. Those wishing to sell yard sale-type items can set up Saturday.

"A lot of Relay (for Life) teams like to use it as a final fundraiser, because it is only a couple of weeks before the relay," Carter said.

For information or entry forms, visit Harlem City Hall on North Louisville Road, call (706) 556-0043 or visit www.harlemga.org.