KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Thursday is the kick-off for the World Series of BBQ, also known as the American Royal.
Some of the best teams in the business, from all over the world, loaded in and set up shop at the Kansas Speedway.
Thousands of people are expected to make their way to the Kansas Speedway to enjoy everything the American Royal has to offer in its 38th year.
“There’s a lot more for the public to do, to see, to eat and to drink," Lynn Parman, American Royal Association President and CEO, said.
Every year, the American Royal strives to outdo themselves. This year, they’re bringing something new to the table called the Taste of KC.
“Everyone wants to come out and celebrate barbecue and start the fall and so this way, we’re adding those elements that we know are important to Kansas City and important to the public,” Parman said.
You can purchase a passport for the Taste of KC that gives you access to eight different local barbecue restaurants. Outside, you’ll find hundreds of teams competing for the American Royal title.
“We have 10 international teams this year. We have a total of 430 teams,” Parman said.
One of the teams competing in the cook- off is Operation BBQ Relief, which just sent crews to Houston in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
“I had a great group of volunteers to help us get equipment out here. It’s a little bit crazy because a lot of our equipment is already in Texas," Will Cleaver, Operation BBQ Relief CFO, said.
As excited as they said they are to face-off with some of the best in the business, Cleaver said their focus is still on Houston.
“Do we have enough equipment? Do we have enough people? Do we have enough product? So that’s what’s kind of spinning through the back of my mind right now,” Cleaver said.\
Some of their award-winning pit masters went south, but volunteers from Kansas City are stepping up to the grill.
“It’s a barbecue family, everybody’s willing to step in and help however they can,” Cleaver said.
The American Royal is one of Operation BBQ Relief’s largest fundraisers. All of the proceeds will go right back to those in need when disaster strikes.
