First Annual Smithfield BBQ Classic Coming to Smit

SMITHFIELD, Va., July 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield, in conjunction with Big Poppa Smokers, is bringing the spirit of competition barbecue to the brand’s hometown with the first Smithfield BBQ Classic. The event will take place on Saturday, August 5 at Windsor Castle Park in Smithfield, Virginia. Teams from across the country will be competing in a Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned competition to win more than $10,000 in cash prizes and an invitation to participate in the prestigious Smithfield King of the Smokers event in Palm Springs, CA in December.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...1e82d5f21b

This free event will open to the public at 1:00 p.m. with an awards ceremony at 5:00 p.m. Smithfield Championship Pitmasters Tuffy Stone, Sterling Ball, Melissa Cookston, and Ernest Servantes will be in attendance to offer tips and tricks with demos highlighting Smithfield Fresh Pork. Additionally, there will be samples, live entertainment, giveaways, and other family friendly activities. Food will be available for purchase from local vendors.

“Smithfield has been making high-quality products in Southeast Virginia for more than 80 years, including many that are used in competition barbecue like pork butts, ribs, and loins,” said Emily Detwiler, Smithfield Foods director of marketing. “We’re so excited to bring the world of competition barbecue to our hometown, and to show the pitmasters who are using our products to win at events across the country where the craftsmanship and heritage of our brand originated.”

“Smithfield has become deeply involved and made a real investment in competition barbecue over the last few years, and I’ve been so proud to see them become such a huge presence in the sport,” said Sterling Ball, owner of Big Poppa Smokers. “It’s really exciting to have this new event in Virginia.”

Windsor Castle Park is located at 301 Jericho Road, Smithfield, VA 23430. The Smithfield BBQ Classic will be held rain or shine. For more information, please visit the 2017 Smithfield BBQ Classic on Facebook or email BBQ@smithfield.com .

About Smithfield A leading provider of high-quality pork products, Smithfield was founded in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia. From hand-trimmed ribs, loins and bacon and slow-smoked holiday hams to marinated tenderloins, Smithfield brings artistry, authenticity and a commitment to heritage, flavor, and handcrafted excellence to everything it produces. With a vast product portfolio including smoked meats, hams, bacon, sausage, ribs, and a wide variety of fresh pork cuts, the company services retail, foodservice, and deli channels across the United States and 30 countries abroad. All of Smithfield’s products meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. To learn more about how Flavor Hails from Smithfield, please visit www.Smithfield.com , www.Twitter.com/SmithfieldBrand , and www.Facebook.com/CookingWithSmithfield . Smithfield is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield ^Ⓡ , Eckrich ^Ⓡ , Nathan’s Famous ^Ⓡ , Farmland ^Ⓡ , Armour ^Ⓡ , John Morrell ^Ⓡ , Cook’s ^Ⓡ , Kretschmar ^Ⓡ , Gwaltney ^Ⓡ , Curly’s ^Ⓡ , Margherita ^Ⓡ , Carando ^Ⓡ , Healthy Ones ^Ⓡ , Krakus ^Ⓡ , Morliny ^Ⓡ  and Berlinki ^Ⓡ . Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit  www.smithfieldfoods.com .

Media Contacts: Smithfield Amber Carson 757-357-1520 acarson@smithfield.com Big Poppa Smokers Jessie Corbin 877-828-0727 jessie@bigpoppasmokers.com