WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — Cooks from across the country are bringing their smokiest meats to a barbecue throwdown in Warwick.

This weekend, judges will indulge, deliberate, and decide on a winning barbecue team based on taste, tenderness, and appearance for the Rhode Island BBQ State Championship.

Chefs told 12 News their passion for barbecue runs deep.

“Good barbecue is just something you want to continue to eat,” Texas native Carlos Calzada said. “You can taste somebody’s food and tell when they put their love into it and that’s what I try to do with my food.”

Calzada made the nearly 2,000-mile trek from the Lone Star State to the Ocean State to partake in the event, which is sanctioned by the Champions Barbecue Alliance.

“I truly enjoy food,” Calzada said. “Just cooking it is my love language.”

Friday night into Saturday morning, chefs will be preparing to deliver top-tier barbeque eats to the championship at noon on Saturday.

The event’s sanctioned meats include chicken, ribs, pork and brisket.

“It’s an art form. It’s a craft. If you cook it right, it’s amazing, but if you don’t cook it right, it’s terrible,” event organizer Matt Pereria said.

The event is set to take place on Saturday, July 6 at the Little Rhody Beagle Club in Warwick. Members of the public are welcome to visit and talk to the barbecue chefs, but you must sign up ahead of time to be a judge.

Entries are priced at $325 with the competition capping at 50 teams. All proceeds will benefit the non-profit organization Friends of Jake .

Interested in participating? Contact Matt Periera at (508) 726-3324 to sign up or click here.

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