The 48th Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is underway at Liberty Park, with nearly 200 teams from 27 states and seven countries competing for the title of Grand Champion through May 16. It is one of the most recognized barbecue competitions in the world, and Memphis is the city that hosts it every year.
A few teams worth watching this weekend: defending Grand Champion Heath Riles is back and gunning for his third consecutive Ribs category win. Big Bob Gibson’s Chris Lilly, a five-time Grand Champion, is chasing a three-peat in the Shoulder division after dominating it with 13 career wins. Blues Hog’s Tim Scheer is coming off a second-place Whole Hog finish last year with eyes on the top spot. Longtime Memphis team Hog Wild, now three decades deep in competition, brings more than 30 members to the pit, including the children of original members who grew up in the tradition.
Every May, Memphis does not just host a competition. It hosts a culture.
