The Deep South BBQ Competition was held under the roof and there was plenty of smoke and smell to create some well-cooked meat.
Promoter Anthony Waugh said these types of competitions had started in Texas in the 1970s and then grown round the world.
It was now Dunedin’s turn, 16 teams lining up for the competition, five of whom came down from the North Island.
It was not a case of just turning up mid-morning and cracking up the gas bottle.
Most of the competitors were at the venue to set up on Saturday and then back yesterday at 5am to start building a fire and getting it going.
The categories were chicken, ribs, pork and brisket.
The judging was done by the public.
Canterbury duo Russell Lovatt and Eddie Coetsee had their barbecue fired up on blue gum and had been at the stadium since 2.30am yesterday to get the heat right. They were enjoying the day and getting ready to perfect their brisket.
A good crowd turned up at the stadium yesterday, lots of food trucks were available and there were some rides for the youngsters and some old cars on display in the carpark.
Mr Waugh said he had hoped for a crowd of about 5000 and the crowd was getting near that by lunchtime.
