Attention BBQ Teams - Who wants that crown?

SmokeSlam is organized by Mempho Presents, a group with deep roots in Memphis, music and barbecue. Melzie Wilson, a lifelong supporter of competition barbecue and respected community leader with over 20+ years in the sport, has joined the SmokeSlam steering committee to help organize the event: “I have invested many years of my life into the barbecue world, and I’m excited to see a multi-sanctioned barbeque competition, combined with an expanded fan experience, come to our city. The name, ‘SmokeSlam,’ perfectly captures the essence of barbecue and the intensity of competition, which is what this event is all about.”

SmokeSlam is putting up a purse of $250,000, the largest in pork BBQ competition history, and has partnered with the Memphis BBQ Network (MBN) to run the judging for the competition. SmokeSlam will be an MBN-sanctioned event where teams can compete in all three major categories, and category winners are also eligible for a ‘Golden Ticket’ to compete in the World Food Championships in the fall. Judging will be blind and on-site for the preliminaries.

Whole Hog, Ribs, Pulled Pork

• Prizes awarded across five places per category, totaling $150,000 in prize money
• Grand prize in the MBN Pork competition will be $50,000 for the winning team
• Small prizes to the value of $10,000 will also be awarded

Dessert, Bacon, Duck, Poultry, Beef, Seafood, Wings

• Prizes awarded across five places per category, totaling $40,000 in prize money
• Sanctioned by the World Food Championships; each category winner will also get a Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships

Backyard competition not included. Additional information to come.

The application period closed on 2/19. Thank you for your interest.

Booths will be available in Tom Lee Park on the river, and for those who prefer street access, there will be booths available on Riverside Drive.

• Small booth (26’x30’): $2,000
• Large booth (34’x54’): $3,500
• Space rental includes area size, (2) 20amp electrical services, (1) Porta John, Saturday Competition Fees, MBN Admin fee of $15, (20) 24-hour wristbands, (15) Team Member Wristbands with designated Team entrance wristbands
• Available for additional cost: scaffolding, tents, flooring, additional power and Porta Johns

If you need additional toilets, storage units, scaffolding, ice, tents or flooring, please fill out the forms below and contact our official SmokeSlam vendors.

If your team needs additional electricity for your booth or tent, fill out this form.

SmokeSlam’s mission is to produce an inclusive event that enhances the rich tradition of barbecue in Memphis, the unique river setting and the city’s musical heritage: “Our event is called a festival because we aim to attract barbecue fans, but also families, music lovers and young people from Memphis and beyond,” said Mike Smith from Mempho Presents.

The festival will include a carnival with a ferris wheel, a carousel and games, a central marketplace, which will be a partnership with local businesses where fans will be able to buy merchandise and other goods, and an interactive area where fans will be able to sample food and participate in fun food-related events.

“True to our heritage in organizing large fan-based experiences, SmokeSlam will have live music on all three nights, catering to a range of musical tastes, with both local and national talent performing. There will be something for everyone, with the barbecue competition at the core of the event,” says Smith.

• Memphis Barbecue Network (MBN) Official Rules
• World Food Championships Official Rules