Texas pitmasters smoke competition at 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off

  • Drew Clinkscales, left, and Matt Bishop, with the M & D Texas BBQ team, prepare their three briskets for judging at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Drew Clinkscales, left, and Matt Bishop, with the M & D Texas BBQ team, prepare their three briskets for judging at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Eric Kaderka, left, and Bubba Cepak, with the Smoke This team, prepare their San Gabriel Shrimp Balls for judging in the Cook's Choice category at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Eric Kaderka, left, and Bubba Cepak, with the Smoke This team, prepare their San Gabriel Shrimp Balls for judging in the Cook's Choice category at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Thomas "Tomcat" Wilson, with the Smoke That team, prepares briskets for judging at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Thomas "Tomcat" Wilson, with the Smoke That team, prepares briskets for judging at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Chris Holmes, a Ribs Category judge, prepares to sample an entry during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Chris Holmes, a Ribs Category judge, prepares to sample an entry during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Brisket judge Doug Smith savors an entry during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Brisket judge Doug Smith savors an entry during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Three-and-a-half year old Nadzieja Komandosky savors some of the ribs being judged by her grandfather, Joseph Komandosky, during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Grandpa would take an official bite of an entry, then share some with Nadzieja, who really seemed to enjoy it! Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Three-and-a-half year old Nadzieja Komandosky savors some of the ribs being judged by her grandfather, Joseph Komandosky, during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Grandpa would take an official bite of an entry, then share some with Nadzieja, who really seemed to enjoy it! Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • 8-year-old Harper Mensik enjoyed an icy snow cone on a hot afternoon at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    8-year-old Harper Mensik enjoyed an icy snow cone on a hot afternoon at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Briskets smoked by Drew Clinkscales and Matt Bishop, with the M & D Texas BBQ team, are prepared for judging at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. These briskets were smoked for 16-18 hours. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Briskets smoked by Drew Clinkscales and Matt Bishop, with the M & D Texas BBQ team, are prepared for judging at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. These briskets were smoked for 16-18 hours. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Three-and-a-half year old Nadzieja Komandosky sat alongside her grandfather Joseph Komandosky, one of the Ribs Category judges at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Grandpa would sample some ribs, then share a little extra with Nadzieja, who seemed to enjoy the flavors a lot. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Three-and-a-half year old Nadzieja Komandosky sat alongside her grandfather Joseph Komandosky, one of the Ribs Category judges at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Grandpa would sample some ribs, then share a little extra with Nadzieja, who seemed to enjoy the flavors a lot. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • 3-year-old Oliver Bosley enjoys a breeze from a large fan while attending the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Friday, August 16, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    3-year-old Oliver Bosley enjoys a breeze from a large fan while attending the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Friday, August 16, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Brisket judge Trae Carvell prepares to sample an entry during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Brisket judge Trae Carvell prepares to sample an entry during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • 3-year-old Ryder Copeland enjoys time with his family during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Friday, August 16, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    3-year-old Ryder Copeland enjoys time with his family during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Friday, August 16, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Benjamin Farris was a judge for the grilled cheese sandwich category during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Friday, August 16, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Benjamin Farris was a judge for the grilled cheese sandwich category during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Friday, August 16, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • 2-year-old Emmersyn Grace Sherrill enjoyed a few grapes while sitting in a shady area with members of her family at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Friday, August 16, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    2-year-old Emmersyn Grace Sherrill enjoyed a few grapes while sitting in a shady area with members of her family at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Friday, August 16, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Mike Erickson, the Culinary Arts Instructor at Taylor High School was one of the Ribs Category judges during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Erickson is also director of the National High School Barbecue Association. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Mike Erickson, the Culinary Arts Instructor at Taylor High School was one of the Ribs Category judges during the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Erickson is also director of the National High School Barbecue Association. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • A large platter of ribs prepared by the Pfluger Builders team are seen at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    A large platter of ribs prepared by the Pfluger Builders team are seen at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • Buddy Michna, with the Michna Tribe team, prepares entries at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. The Michna family has taken part in every cookoff here since 1979. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Buddy Michna, with the Michna Tribe team, prepares entries at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. The Michna family has taken part in every cookoff here since 1979. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.

     

    The 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off began on Friday, August 16.  Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday.   

     Photo by Andy Sharp. 

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    Food
    BBQ
    Taylor
    Williamson County