ELIZABETHTOWN – The inaugural Smithfield Cup will be held this fall in Elizabethtown, pitting barbecue teams from North Carolina and South Carolina against each other in a battle for BBQ supremacy.

The event will take place on Sunday, October 13, on the grounds of Cape Fear Distillery, and will feature a select group of grill masters from the Carolinas preparing samples of pork from title sponsor Smithfield Foods, which operates the world’s largest pork processing plant in nearby Tar Heel.

In addition, Elizabethtown is one of several major sponsors of this unique culinary experience.

Event attendees will be offered samples of chopped barbecue, ribs and more, as well as a Southern side dish from each team, and will then be able to cast their vote for the best barbecue. The winning team will receive the Smithfield Cup and be allowed to display the trophy in the winning state for one year.

The Smithfield Cup will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $20. A limited number of VIP early bird tickets are available for $40. This VIP experience allows guests to enter the event as early as 11:00 a.m. (one hour before tickets open to beat the crowds) and get a second taste of what each team has to offer.

Admission is $15 for active and retired military personnel, and FREE for children under 14.

The two grill teams consist of two professional grill masters and two amateurs. The pros from North Carolina are Lewis Donald of Sweet Lew’s BBQ in Charlotte and Jake Wood of Lawrence Barbecue in Durham. The pros from South Carolina are Dylan Cooke of Fork Grove Barbecue in Anderson and Robbie Robinson of City Limits Barbeque in Columbia.

“It’s exciting to celebrate one of our region’s agricultural businesses with a true culinary experience for all,” said Elizabethtown Mayor Sylvia Campbell. “We know this event will attract more people to visit our beautiful small town, shop in our downtown and discover what Southern hospitality is all about.”

“We’re excited to open our doors to Elizabethtown and share our rich heritage through one of our top attractions,” added Elizabethtown City Manager Dane Rideout. “What better way to celebrate than with a showdown between North Carolina and South Carolina grill masters? No matter who wins, visitors are in for a delicious experience.”

The barbecue competition will also feature live music and entertainment, a vintage car display, a children’s area with a petting zoo, a tasting and competition featuring barbecue sauces and seasonings from main sponsor Carolina CoPacking, and a selection of local craft beer, wine and spirits.

Cape Fear Distillery, one of the main sponsors of the event, is now one of the leading distilleries in North Carolina and offers a large selection of wines as well as 13 different spirits.

The Smithfield Cup is presented by Tarheel Festivals, which also hosts the fourth annual Pinehurst Barbecue Festival in the village of Pinehurst on Labor Day weekend.

About the author

Related