Chicken and brisket and ribs–oh my! Queensway Bay will be coated in the sweet smell of BBQ smoke this Saturday as 60 pitmasters from up and down the coast offer tastes of their meat and compete for cash prizes along with the title of “Best West Coast BBQ.”

For the third year in a row, the West Coast BBQ Classic will turn the Queen Mary’s parking lot into a BBQ extravaganza with chicken, ribs, pork, brisket and more made according to the various styles–Carolina, Texas, Memphis, California and more–of this quintessential American craft. 

For the competitors, the Classic is an official California-State-Certified, KCBS-Sanctioned, BBQ Championship with accolades to be won that will bring credibility to brands and chefs. For BBQ fans, it’s a chance to grab two-ounce samples of each finger-licking entry as well as tastes of some off-category items like candied bacon and beef links. 

The participating BBQ teams have been in Long Beach since Thursday and many have been cooking some of their larger meats since Friday morning.

As a full, family-friendly day set against the backdrop of the Queen Mary, the BBQ Classic will also feature live music from Sawtooth and Robert John and the Wreck as well as watermelon and cobbler-eating contests. 

The West Coast BBQ Classic will take place Saturday, May 10 from 11AM to 6PM at the Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway. For more information or to buy tickets, visit queenmary.com/bbq

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