MENtoring’s 1st Annual BBQ Cook Off - November 14, 2009

Welcome to the home of MENtoring’s Annual BBQ Cook Off.

Our overall goal is to raise money for a charity that helps the youth in our local communities.  Why not do it through serving some of the best BBQ in Raleigh on game day at Carter Finley Stadium!

Our event will be held at Backyard Bistro, an excellent local favorite that specializes in dry rubs and tasty smoked meats. 

But this competition is not about our gracious host.  At least this year it is not.  Our 1st Annual Cook Off will be a one on one competition between the founder of both this event and MENtoring, Michael Markham and a Pitmaster from South Carolina named George King, aka “Big Joge.”

Please come out and support our chefs in a competition that will donate all of its proceeds to a great cause.  Visit the link above for MENtoring to find out more about our youth development program kicking off in Apex this Fall.

The Competitors

“Big Joge”

George King was born with smoke in his blood.  His dad was famous for his barbecue and his recipe for sauce, which is a version of the recipe that “Big Joge” still uses today.  George has perfected that family recipe and moved on to create special rubs and develop personal techniques that make his barbecue a favorite with family, friends, and in the professional circuit.

A native of Winnsboro, SC, George started competing as an amateur in the Fairfield County (SC) Finest Butts Rib Cookoff in 1995.  He’s been a regular competitor in his hometown’s Pig on the Ridge BBQ competition where he moved from placing 19th in 2003 to 3rd in 2008.  In 2004, he built his own cooker and began specializing in Boston Butts and Whole Hogs with his catering and competitive cooking.  Earlier this year he began cooking in professional BBQ competitions.  His overall record is 1 First Place, 3 Top Fives, and 2 Top Tens. He has also earned an eighth place finish in the South Carolina BBQ Association's Master BBQ Award for the state of SC in his first year of professional BBQ competitions.

George hopes to cook at Memphis in May, and his long term goals are to be invited to the Jack Daniels cook off and the American Royal.

Michael Markham

Michael Markham has no professional experience or any formal training (outside of his hours spent with the Food Network).  What he does have is one great set of taste buds.  You will not find him at group gatherings standing on the sidelines.  In fact, most of the time he is doing the entire culinary production.  He even cooked all of the sides on his wedding day because he enjoys cooking that much.

A native to North Carolina, Michael has spent the past 5 years perfecting his barbecue recipes.  His main influence comes from his grandfather who did the majority of the cooking at family gatherings when he was a child.  Michael would hang around the kitchen looking for samples and tips from his grandfather while learning basic cooking techniques.  “The biggest thing I witnessed in all of my early early years of observation had to be how to taste as you go.  So many people try to cook without a spoon nearby to taste what they are preparing for others.  This should be a necessity in the kitchen,” says Michael.

Michael hopes that his taste buds for his own cooking are not biased and that his barbecue will stand up to “Big Joge” in his 1st BBQ Cook Off.  “If all of my closest friends have been truthful about their opinions, then there should be no competition.  I feel I am well qualified to judge good barbecue and confident that my Que is too dang good to resist!”

The Competition