The scent of barbecue is in the air. Barbecue teams have been tweaking their recipes and perfecting their technique to get ready for Williams’ second annual Barbecue Cook Off on Sept. 13, at the Nicholson Carnival Grounds in Wyoming County — with every dollar raised matched by Williams.

Jerry Dugas of Cabot will be back to defend his Grand Champion title, “I’ve refined my recipe since last year and I’m ready to take on all comers,” Jerry says. “We appreciate Williams hosting the Barbecue Cook Off. It’s a great opportunity to eat barbecue and an even better opportunity to help raise money for the community,” he adds.

If tasting is your barbecue talent, gather up four of your friends to form a Judge team and help select the winner. Or, just buy a People’s Choice ticket and vote by donating dollars to your favorite team’s People’s Choice bucket.

The results of the judging will be tallied and announced that evening. The first place winner in each category will receive a wall plaque and most importantly: bragging rights! The Grand Champion will be the custodian for one year of the coveted NEPA BBQ Cup.

Last year Williams’ Barbecue Cook-Off raised $40,000 to benefit thousands of neighbors served by United Way agencies in Susquehanna County, Wyoming County, Wyoming Valley and Broome County, N.Y., will benefit again.

Whether you plan to cook or to judge the barbecue, click here to find out more about the event, read the cook-off rules, and learn how and where to buy tickets and to register your BBQ team and Judge team.