Cook-Off brings out the best BBQ around

The third annual Cookin' For Kids barbecue cook-off had the Newberry Street Festival Site smokin' Saturday afternoon.

A total of 24 cooking teams competed for glory, trophies and cash prizes in the cook-off, which benefited the Aiken County Child Advocacy Center. The contest warmed things up Friday evening with the chicken wing competition. The teams provided the spectators, who wore $8 wristbands for sampling privileges, and a panel of 38 South Carolina Barbecue Association judges with ribs, Boston butt and baked beans Saturday.

"The barbecue is very good overall. We've got some former state champions here today, and everyone has excellent quality," said master judge Michael Jones. "Our scoring system makes a cook-off, especially a smaller one like this, very easy to judge. Our judges go through a training seminar to learn the rules, then they have to do six events as novice judges before they become certified judges. We have the most comprehensive training program for judges in the country."

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