Smithfield® Congratulates Pitmasters Chris Lilly

MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield ^® is proud to announce that World Champion pitmasters Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q and Tuffy Stone of Cool Smoke Barbeque took home the first and second place prizes, respectively, in the Shoulder category at the 2018 Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Both legendary pitmasters cooked with Smithfield Fresh Pork Shoulders, beating 54 other competing teams. A record-setting five-time Grand Champion at Memphis in May, this marks Chris Lilly’s 11 ^th win in the Shoulder category. This was also a remarkable week for Tuffy Stone, whose first cookbook, Cool Smoke: The Art of Great Barbecue, was released nationwide on May 15.

In addition to Lilly and Stone’s impressive wins, several Smithfield pitmasters, BBQ Alliance teams, and Committed Cooks teams had strong performances at this year’s competition. Two-time Memphis in May Champion Melissa Cookston of Yazoo’s Delta Q placed 10 ^th out of 37 teams in the Whole Hog category. Burnt Finger BBQ from Kansas City, Mo. placed second in Ribs, the Jonesy “Q” BBQ Co. team from Ridgeland, Miss. finished third in the Ribs category and in sixth place overall, Smokin’ Jokers from Australia placed fourth in Ribs, and Natural Born Grillers from Southaven, Miss. placed eighth in Ribs and fifth in the Beef category.

“It was such an exciting competition weekend, and we’re proud to have so many accomplished pitmasters cooking with high-quality Smithfield Fresh Pork products,” said Emily Detwiler, director of fresh pork marketing for Smithfield Foods. “Congratulations to Chris, Tuffy, and all of our Smithfield BBQ Alliance and Committed Cooks teams, and thank you for representing us at one of the biggest stages in competition barbecue.”

For more information on the Smokin’ With Smithfield Committed Cooks program, visit www.SmokinWithSmithfield.com .

About Smithfield A leading provider of high-quality pork products, Smithfield was founded in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia, establishing the town as the “Ham Capital of the World.” From hand-trimmed 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 ^Ⓡ , Farmer John ^® , Kretschmar ^Ⓡ , John Morrell ^Ⓡ , Cook's ^Ⓡ , Gwaltney ^Ⓡ , Carando ^Ⓡ , Margherita ^Ⓡ , Curly's ^Ⓡ , Healthy Ones ^Ⓡ , Morliny ^Ⓡ , Krakus ^Ⓡ  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 Contact: Hunter PR for Smithfield Tiffany Daggett tdaggett@hunterpr.com (212) 679-6600