BBQ Events: The American Royal

Ladies and Gentlemen, this weekend is the biggest, baddest and most important event in the world of Competitive Barbecue; The American Royal.

This incredible party includes a open BBQ contest - pay your fee and you can compete and an invitational contest that pits some of the best pit masters in the world against each other. Many of my friends will be competing in the invitational and I'm willing to bet that I know a few in the open as well.

In addition to the cooking contests, there are also contests for the best parties both corporate and individual. Yup, even how well you party is judged at the Royal.

And for you poker players out there, they have a Texas Hold Em contest as well. And horse shows. And concerts. And rodeos. And livestock competitions.

I was invited to judge the invitational barbeque contest this year, but unfortunately family commitments are keeping me in Brooklyn. But if you're anywhere near Kansas City this weekend, go check out the Royal. You'll be glad you did.