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Frank’s RedHot and French’s Mustard’s ‘Memphis in May’ competition is back – offering UK chefs an all-expenses-paid VIP experience as their guest at the world’s most prestigious and unique BBQ battle royal.

A mecca for some 70,000 grill heads, pit masters and celebrity BBQ connoisseurs alike, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (13-16 May 2020) is the jewel in the crown of the Memphis in May International Festival, inviting more than 250 teams from around the world to compete.  

The winner and a plus-one will receive a money-can’t-buy VIP experience as guests of America’s number one hot sauce and mustard brands*, with complimentary food and drink throughout the three-day event, access to exclusive chef demos, trend talks, and side stage admission to a blistering live entertainment programme.  

Open now, the competition invites entries from bona fide UK chefs, caterers and F&B managers, and getting involved couldn’t be easier. Entrants can go to www.franksandfrenchs.co.uk/memphis or visit @FranksFrenchsFS on either Twitter or Instagram; follow, and leave a DM with a name, job title, place of work and contact number or email. From there, all entries will be collated with one lucky winner pulled out of a hat.

What’s more, each week in the lead up to May, entrants will get the chance to scoop one of 12 exclusive branded BBQ barrel drums. (For full T’s and C’s visit: www.franksandfrenchs.co.uk).

Chris Cannon, Commercial Controller at McCormick (UK) comments: “It’s fair to say that no one does BBQ like America, and the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is a three-day love letter to the craft. What we’re offering is exclusive access to the heat, smoke, flame and flavour of the competition – an inspirational field trip with a difference on a ticket that money simply can’t buy! I urge chefs to visit either Instagram or Twitter and enter today!”    

McCormick’s 2019 prize was won by Andrew Bush, Executive Chef at London smokehouse Bodean’s BBQ. He said: “The event was a real spectacle with people flocking from all corners just to be there and share the experience. The organisers and competing teams had clearly thrown heart, soul and a few other bits and bobs into the event and you really got a sense of how the BBQ culture is ingrained into the very DNA of the people there.

“The same can be said for the sense of hospitality in the deep south, where everyone had time to take a moment (often longer) to discuss life in general and BBQ in particular.

“The truly amazing Frank’s RedHot and French’s hospitality team made us feel looked after in every way; add in the interactive cooking experiences, roof top bar, incredible food and second to none view of the main stage, and it all came together nicely to turn a great experience into an awesome event, never to be forgotten. I only hope I can find my way back there one day.”

The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest attracts teams from twenty-six states and six countries to compete in the championship pork categories of Ribs, Shoulder, and Whole Hog, as well as additional competitions of Hot Wings, Sauce, and ‘Anything but Pork’. To take a look, visit: https://www.memphisinmay.org/events/world-championship-barbecue-cooking-contest/

McCormick Flavour Solutions is the owner of Frank’s RedHot and French’s Mustard and provides ingredients and inspiration for chefs and caterers across foodservice, supplying several trusted brands including Schwartz, Hammonds, Noël’s, Bick’s and Old Bay.