To be a Memphis in May barbecue judge, you have to go to class and get certified. But there’s more to judging than just having a certificate; you need to be dedicated.

Mixon is a celebrity pit master who has written cookbooks and been on numerous television shows, including the TLC reality show BBQ Pitmasters. He left Saturday night, as did the first place winners of the ribs and shoulder division, with a check for $10,500. In addition, he received $24,000 as the grand champion.

Before they left, barges stuck on either side of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge received a delivery of Rendezvous ribs to see them on their way.

The faces of barbecue include Don and Carolyn McLemore, owners of Big Bob Gibson’s restaurant and the matriarch and patriarch of the most winning team at Memphis in May.

There was a little bit of smoke on the river early on Wednesday, but plenty more to come. The 2021 Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest was about to begin.

Two old friends and longtime Memphis in May volunteers take a few minutes to talk about this year’s festival and about some memorable times in the past.

Bhan Thai, Molly Smith’s restaurant on Peabody Avenue that opened in 2002, has closed its doors for the last time. Smith officially shut down on the day she usually hosted the fundraiser Cinco de Thai-O.

Where there’s smoke, there’s 🔥🔥🔥 when it’s in Tom Lee Park. Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest returns after a forced 2020 hiatus, proving you can’t keep a good festival down. 

A deep clean and purge of the kitchen might not spark joy, but can cause an existential questioning of time. And as the world moves on, festivals are planned and Hog Wild East opens.

Ernie Mellor opens Hog Wild East for takeout only in the former Garibaldi’s location on Yates Road on Wednesday.

During an appearance on the ‘Today’ show this morning, Four Way owner Patrice Bates Thompson learned the restaurant was getting a grant courtesy of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. 

Doughnuts were free for a while at Gibson’s Wednesday morning, the first local food giveaway campaign sponsored by The Kindness Revolution.

Villa Castrioti commits to The Lake District, Parish Grocery has a new location a few doors north of the intersection of Cooper and Young, and they’re selling tomatoes at Elwood’s Produce Stand on Saturdays.

Black Sheep Bottling sells its hot sauce at four local farmers markets in season: Downtown, Cooper-Young, Bartlett and Hernando. You can also find it on the shelf at the Curb Market, Tamboli’s, Oxbeau and Charlie’s Meat Market. 

Derk Meitzler talks about Backlot, the new sandwich shop to open in the Paramount building, also known as Strait & Associates in “Bluff City Law,” and what else he has coming up.

A small upside to the tragedy and travails of the past year is that for a few more weeks, you can eat food as simple as a cheeseburger in the lap of luxury.

Restaurateurs face a hiring crisis, yet restaurants continue to open and reopen around town. Also, Downtown gets a grocery store, everyone loves cheese dip, and Rajun Cajun returns this weekend.

Bryant’s Breakfast is back, the biscuits are hot, the bacon is crisp and the lines are long. It’s like it never closed.

The Kraft Heinz Co. is partnering with The LEE Initiative and Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice on the grant program.

Cash Saver and High Point Grocery owner Rick James is opening a small independent grocery in South Main.