It’s a long way until Barbecue Fest season in Memphis — unless you’re in high school, that is.

The World Junior Barbecue League is hosting its World Championship and Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 19, in Southaven. The league, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded five years ago by celebrity chef and world-renowned pitmaster Melissa Cookston.

“One thing that I think our society needs at this point is getting kids out and involved in team sports,” Cookston said. “Not everybody can throw the perfect spiral or dunk a basketball, but everybody can cook.”

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Cookston founded the WJBL to inspire and empower teenagers through barbecue, giving them tools that extend beyond the kitchen. She sees the league as a way to get young people off their screens and into the real world, where they can learn to cooperate effectively with one another.

“There’s so much more involved in it. Kids learn teamwork, communication skills, morals and core values,” Cookston said. 

The league focuses on high school students between the ages of 14 and 18, with a special emphasis on at-risk youth and special needs kids. Cookston said the goal is to give young people the tools to succeed, whether they continue competing into adulthood or simply use the skills they learn to enhance their daily lives.

“If I can make a difference in one child’s life, that’s my goal,” she said.

The World Championship will showcase both local and international talent, including teams from the U.S. and the Caribbean. The competition features four categories: brisket, pork butt, ribs and chicken. Cookston emphasized that the event is designed to challenge participants, who must prepare all four dishes on their own, without parental help. This year’s prize purse is $25,000.

“This is elevated competition barbecue,” Cookston said. “We really want the kids doing it themselves.”

The festival will also feature cooking demonstrations by celebrity pitmasters, including participants from Netflix’s “Barbecue Showdown” and TLC’s “Barbecue Pitmasters.” While Cookston didn’t reveal specific names, she hinted that several well-known figures will be present.

For attendees, the festival offers more than just competition. Wristbands will give festival-goers access to food samples prepared by both young competitors and seasoned pitmasters. “We’ll have everything from chicken to whole hog, burgers, shrimp and grits. It’s a huge festival,” Cookston said.

Clara Ashley, last year’s WJBL champion, is returning this year to aid Cookston in running the show. Ashley, who grew up around barbecue, won the championship last year after several years of competing and refining her skills. 

“I learned how to manage my time, how to organize myself and how to stick to a timeline,” Ashley said.

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What’s been most rewarding, Ashley said, has been the sense of community the WJBL fosters, and the mentorship she’s received from Cookston over the years.

“It’s not just about barbecue; it’s about the connections and opportunities that come with it,” Ashley said. “Melissa goes out of her way to make sure that everybody is getting this opportunity and the resources they need. She’s making sure no one has to wonder if they can participate — it’s possible for everyone.”

Opportunities like this, Cookston said, should not be cost prohibitive. Although the competition has a $250 entry fee per team, the cost can be waived through sponsorship, upon request.

“We make sure that everyone has what they need to compete on an even playing field,” Cookston said, noting that the organization works with sponsors like Yoder to provide grills to those who may not otherwise have access. “It’s important that every kid has the chance to learn and grow in this community, no matter where they come from.”

As the WJBL continues to grow, Cookston remains focused on its core mission: reaching as many young people as possible through barbecue.

“We’re growing every year. Just reaching as many teenagers as we can is what I’m most excited about,” she said.

The WJBL World Championship and Fall Festival will be held at Cookston’s retail store, BBQ Allstars, located at 875 Goodman Road E., Southaven. Events will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Judging for the competition begins at 3 p.m. General admission and VIP wristbands can be purchased online at the WJBL website. Tickets will also be available at the door.