Kynlea Compton couldn’t stop slinging brisket Saturday at Exchange Club of Muskogee’s Chili & BBQ Cook-Off.
The Muskogee 7-year-old had a lot of people to feed at the Okie Eggers booth.
That wasn’t the only booth drawing barbecue lovers at the 41st annual Cook-Off, held at Hatbox Field. The annual event raises money for various children’s charities.
Barbecue lovers lined up for slow-cooked chicken wings, brisket and ribs at Okie Eggers, which won Grand Champion.
Kristi Hoos said Okie Eggers has a long tradition of attracting barbecue lovers and winning awards. They slow cook their food in 50-gallon cans.
“We competition barbecue and this is what we cook it in,” Hoos said. “Last year, we were Grand Champs.”
Steve Lange sampled brisket from the booth, but didn’t say whether it was a favorite.
“I’m a big barbecue fan,” Lange said. “Most of the barbecue’s been pretty good. Baked beans are awesome. I really haven’t been paying attention on some things, just sampling, just enjoying.”
Another long line formed at the Ruckus Q booth, which featured ribs, chicken, macaroni and cheese.
Mother and son Christina and Josiah Pearson proclaimed “game over with mac and cheese!”
Josiah Pearson said “it’s creamy, it’s tasty, it’s smoky, it’s amazing.”
Christina Pearson said “you don’t have to add anything to it.”
Insurance Agent Don David enticed noshers to his booth with a little “Cajun Threauxdown.”
“I’m from south Louisiana,” David said. “I made sausage and some south Louisiana seasoning in those beans.”
He prepared several dishes for the crowds, not just the competition.
“Right here, we’ve got cookies, little nut bars, beans,” he said. “I’m about to have some pork ready.”
Hoos said her husband, Tracy Hoos, and friends have been cooking for years. She said they don’t change their recipes.
“They just kind of perfect it,” she said. “It’s the same thing every year. We have a lot of fun on our favorite weekend of the year.”