Bentonville to Host Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Championship

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Oct. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The champion of the Sam's Club National BBQ Tour will be named as the country's only continuous competitive barbecue tour concludes in Bentonville Saturday, Oct. 19. Members of the public are invited to join celebrity judges sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) to sample championship-worthy barbecue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sam's Club Home Office, located at 2101 S.E. Simple Savings Drive in Bentonville.

Now in its third year, the Sam's Club National BBQ Tour brings together barbecue enthusiasts in 25 local events and five regional finals, culminating in the National Championship with 50 of the nation's leading competitive barbecue teams. The total prize purse for the series is $500,000.

"Many teams competing in our BBQ Tour are restaurateurs, caterers and Sam's Club small business members who depend on our large-quantity, top-quality meats to win barbecue competitions," said Shawn Baldwin, senior vice president of fresh and frozen grocery for Sam's Club. "Collaborating with the world-renowned Kansas City Barbeque Society on a 31-city tour is our way of celebrating small business success and sharing the exciting sport of competitive barbecue with millions of Sam's Club members. We welcome the Northwest Arkansas community to join in our appreciation of the finest barbecue competitors in the country on Oct. 19."

Hosted by Series Director, barbecue aficionado and cookbook author Troy Black, the Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Championship features barbecue demonstrations and free samples of premium-quality Sam's Club meats, hand-cut fresh daily by Sam's Club fresh grocery associates.

"Each of our world-class, competitive teams knows the best barbecue starts with premium, fresh meat," Black said. "Having quality chicken, ribs, pork and brisket from Sam's Club on the smoker sets the stage for a mouth-watering competition."

"Duck Dynasty" stars Willie Robertson and "Mrs. Kay" Robertson will join Black in cheering on the competitive barbecue teams, and fans will have the opportunity to meet Willie and "Mrs. Kay" throughout the day.

The free event also features a live performance by American country music artist Keith Anderson and an appearance by Bush's Baked Beans mascot Duke the Dog. Special guest judges, sanctioned and trained by KCBS, include area Chef Matt McClure of The Hive at 21c, Case Dighero, director of culinary services at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and KNWA-TV/ FOX 24 chief meteorologist Dan Skoff.

Sam's Club welcomes the Northwest Arkansas community to experience the final stop on the Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Specific event times include:

• 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Meet American country music artist Keith Anderson
• 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Meet "Duck Dynasty" star Willie Robertson
• 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Meet "Duck Dynasty" star "Mrs. Kay" Robertson, who will judge a special "fresh game" barbecue challenge.
• 1 p.m. Live performance by American country music artist Keith Anderson
• 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Finalists and National BBQ Tour winners to be announced and awarded. The final competition features a $150,000 prize purse, with $50,000 to be awarded to the grand champion.
• Throughout the event, taste premium fresh meat samples from Sam's Club, including brisket, pulled pork and lamb chops. Meet Series Host Troy Black as he shares barbecue tips on preparing championship pulled pork, ribs and brisket
• Meet Bush's Baked Beans mascot Duke the Dog.

Partnering sponsors and brands for the Sam's Club National BBQ Tour include Kingsford, KC Masterpiece, Coca-Cola, Heinz, Tyson Foods, Cattlemen's BBQ, New Zealand Lamb, Tone's, Stonemill Kitchens, Pillsbury, National Pork Board, Cargill and Bush's Best Baked Beans. The Sam's Club National BBQ Tour events are produced by Sam's Club, KCBS and Trybe Targeting.

About Sam's Club
Sam's Club^®, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is the nation's eighth largest retailer and a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products and services to more than 47 million members in clubs across the U.S. As the official supplier of KCBS, Sam's Club is the 'choice' destination for the highest quality meats and ingredients for backyard grillers, restaurateurs and the more than 750 professional teams who have competed in the 2013 Sam's Club National BBQ Tour.  Members save an average of 33 percent over traditional retailers. To learn more about Savings Made Simple^®, visit SamsClub.com, and look for Sam's Club on Twitter, Facebook and our Mobile and iPad® App.

About KCBS
With more than 15,000 members, KCBS has been sanctioning events and training certified barbecue judges nationwide for more than 25 years. Using an objective, blind judging process, the society sanctions more than 400 barbecue competitions throughout the nation each year. For more information about KCBS, visit www.kcbs.us.

SOURCE Sam’s Club