The third annual Big Gig BBQ will take place from noon until 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 2 at Henry Maier Festival Park.
And there will be plenty of great barbecue to enjoy from vendors including Atlas BBQ, Doc’s Commerce Smokehouse, Double B’s BBQ, Famous Dave’s, Hue, Iron Grate BBQ Co., Maxie’s, Miss Beverly’s Deluxe BBQ, Nino’s Southern Sides, Pitch’s, Silver Spur Texas Smokehouse BBQ, Smoke Shack, The Saucy Swine, and The Charcoal Grill & Rotisserie.
But for those aspiring to perfect their own smoked meat game, there’s also an opportunity to participate in the first ever Amateur Rib Cooking Competition.
Think you’ve got the meat to compete?
The competition is open to local backyard enthusiasts who are looking to show off their unique skills.
The entry fee for the competition is $100. All entrants must bring their own grill or smoker (charcoal or wood-based only) and supplies. Meat will be provided by Kettle Range Meats.
Entries will be judged in a blind tasting on the basis of appearance, tenderness and flavor.
The first prize winner of the competition will receive a cash award. Ten subsequent prizes will also be offered for participants.
The deadline to enter is Aug. 24 (or earlier, if capacity is reached). For complete rules or to enter, visit biggigbbq.com.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
