This Just In ...

BBQ Boot Camp will be held May 12-14, 2009 at Walters State Community College and feature three nights of classes from 5:30pm – 9:30pm. BBQ Champion Mike Davis (head cooker for Lotta Bull BBQ from Marietta, OK) will be the featured instructor for the event with two nights of classes featuring everything from spices, rubs and sauces (May 12) to advanced BBQ smoking (May 13). Chef Catherine Hallman will present the final night’s class – Pastries & Desserts (May 14).

Those interested may sign up to take any of the three night classes for $50 each or sign up for all three for only $125.

“We are delighted to present BBQ Boot Camp at Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass,” says event organizer Amanda Marr. “There is so much interest in BBQ and this will give people the opportunity to learn tips and tricks from one of the best BBQ cookers in the world.” Additionally, a class will be offered on pastries and desserts – which is also a category at many BBQ competitions nationwide. “Being around for the dessert portion of the contest has always been my favorite time,” says Marr. “It’s amazing what types of desserts people will create so we were honored that Chef Hallman would offer to teach a dessert and pastry class for the benefit of anyone interested in BBQ-ing competitively or just cooking better in their own kitchens.”

Sevierville’s fifth annual Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass will take place May 15-16, 2009. This family-friendly event will once again bring barbeque cook teams from all over the United States to Sevierville to compete for $15,000 in cash and prizes and the title of Tennessee State Champion. Rounding out the event is toe-tapping bluegrass music, incredible arts and crafts, kids’ games and the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition honoring Sevierville’s favorite hometown girl, Dolly Parton.

Friday night (May 15), take a little time to visit with the barbeque cook teams you’ve seen on cable channels like the Food Network as you stroll through the “Que Zone.” Championship barbeque tastes best when eaten in a comfortable place with great music, so have a seat in the Eating Tent, which will feature a variety of shows throughout the event. Then make sure you bring a lawn chair or blanket for the free bluegrass concerts with Summertown Road, Cherryholmes and Marty Raybon on Friday and Barry Scott, The Charlie Sizemore Band, Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier, Dailey & Vincent and Doyle Lawson on Saturday.

Saturday morning (May 16), start the day early with the Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union Kids' Que where children ages 6-16 cook chicken to win cash and trophies. Then stay to watch as championship cook teams turn in their competition meats and then stay for the announcement of winners at 4pm. During the competition the teams will cook an estimated 2,832 pounds of meat including 20 pounds of pulled pork, 24 pounds of brisket, 5 pounds of chicken and 10 pounds of ribs each. Winning teams will receive recognition in Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket as well as specialty categories like “Anything Bush Beans”, “Anything Wampler’s Farm Sausage”, Sauce and Dessert.

A highlight of Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass is the 5th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals held on May 16. Finalists from around the nation will sing their hearts out for a chance to win prize money, a recording session in Nashville, Tennessee and a guitar autographed by Dolly Parton. This competition, the only one of its kind that festival organizers know of, honors the songwriting of Dolly Parton. Competitors, male and female, must sing a song written by Dolly Parton (there are over 3,000) and do so in their own style (rock, rap, country, bluegrass, swing, soul, etc.).

Admission and concerts are free. For more information about Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass, call (888) 889-7415 or visit them online at BloominBBQ.com