FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2006

Third Annual Carolina Q Cup World Barbeque Championship
COLUMBIA, SC – Hugh Weathers, Commissioner, and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture will team up with the South Carolina Barbeque Association to host the third annual Carolina Q Cup October 6-7, 2006. The competition will take place at the Columbia State Farmers Market in the 100,000 square foot farmer truck shed, located at 1001 Bluff Road in Columbia.

South Carolina is the only state in the nation that cooks and serves all four types of barbeque, including light tomato-based, heavy tomato based, mustard-based and vinegar and pepper based.

The championship will have one professional category where the teams can cook using wood, charcoal, gas or electric. Each team will prepare a whole hog and a Boston Butt. The criteria for judging will be based on taste, tenderness, appearance and overall impression of the meat. The judging will be conducted by Certified South Carolina Barbeque Judges.

There will be a second division honoring our men and women in uniform. Cooking teams from the U.S. Army, The SC Highway Patrol, the Columbia Fire Department and other service and military organizations are being invited to cook in this division.

Prizes will be awarded to a limited number of barbeque teams deemed as the best of the best. The Grand Champion will receive the coveted silver Carolina Q Cup and an addition bonus award.

An application and information on the registration fee for teams can be obtained from Lake High. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis after an invitation had been issued to the teams that participated in the 2005 Carolina Q Cup.

The Carolina Q Cup will also feature live music, folk arts and crafts and South Carolina home-grown and processed food products.

For more information about the Carolina Q Cup competition or for information about registering call Lake High, South Carolina Barbeque Association, 803-782-9595 or Roy Copelan, South Carolina Department of Agriculture Marketing Division, 803-734-2200.