Jamil BBQ Cook-Off in Columbia
The annual Jamil BBQ Cook-Off brings two days of barbecue competition to the Jamil Shrine Center in Columbia. Friday night is built around public tasting, live music, and the Anything Butt competition, while Saturday turns the focus to Southern BBQ Network judging.
Friday Night Tasting and Anything Butt
Friday night gives the public a chance to get involved. Teams compete in the Anything Butt category, preparing dishes other than pork for guests to sample and judge.
Admission Friday night is $10 at the gate and includes the opportunity to taste the entries and vote for a favorite. The People’s Choice winner receives $500 and a trophy.
A live band is also part of the Friday-night festivities, giving the evening more of a community cookout feel before the sanctioned competition takes center stage on Saturday.
Saturday's Southern BBQ Network Competition
On Saturday, teams compete in pork and ribs under Southern BBQ Network rules. Certified SBN judges score the entries, with pork judging beginning at 10 a.m. and ribs following at 11 a.m.
Teams compete for category awards and overall honors, making Saturday the more traditional competition side of the weekend.
Kids' Q for Young Grillers
The weekend also includes the Future Grillmasters Kids' Q Cook-Off, a youth grilling competition for cooks ages 6 to 16. Young competitors get a chance to show what they can do at the grill, with trophies, medals, and prizes awarded.
Event Details
- Friday: Anything Butt tasting and People’s Choice voting beginning at 6 p.m., with live music
- Friday admission: $10 at the gate to enter and taste barbecue
- Saturday: SBN pork judging begins at 10 a.m.; ribs follow at 11 a.m.
- Location: Jamil Shrine Center, 206 Jamil Road, Columbia, SC
- Boston butt presale: $40
- Team entry: $200
- Hosted by: Jamil Shriners
