Team Medusa checks on its grilled jumbo sausages at last year's event. - photo by Barbara Ellington

With coal all stacked and meat well seasoned, grills are ready to be fired up at this year's 'Jack Daniel's Grill Off' contest to be held Sunday, May 24 at Devon House east lawns.

Organiser of the grill-off, Craig Powell, says last year was good and he is expecting this year to be even better.

"The competition was close and intense and we intend to bring it up two notches this year," said Powell.

Powell notes that the event is growing and more people are aware of it so he expects a great turnout. He adds that more sponsors have come on-board and there will be 18 teams, 50 per cent of which are newcomers. Contestants will show off their skills with five different food items: chicken, pork, spare ribs, lamb, and mahi-mahi. To bring more integrity to the competition, auditors KPMG will be overseeing the judging. Also, there will be a Jack Daniel's sauce competition, which is separate from the main competition.

Jack Daniel's booth

Powell says that with the expected crowd there will be a Jack Daniel's booth that will be responsible for feeding the multitude. Island Caterers will operate that grill, but all recipes are done by him.

There will also be a kiddie's corner with entertainment such as the mechanical bull, bounce-about, plus goodies such as cotton candy, snow cone, popcorn and more, all free of cost.

The event offers the entire family a day to go out and enjoy an abundance of food straight off the grill for $2,500 per person and children under seven enter free. But, drinks will be on sale. The gate opens at noon and Powell notes that there is a limited number of tickets available so it is important to get them early.

Michelle Yeo from Hogs and Such receives an award from Craig Powell for best sauce at last year's Jack Daniel's Grill Off at American International School in St Andrew.