For a competition that literally goes up in smoke every year, the ӰרӰרs Office of Veteran and Military Student ServicesӰר signature fundraising event has proven an overwhelming success.
The Food Network TV show ӰרBBQ USAӰר agrees. It will feature Operation Smoke Sheaux, a barbecue cook-off that supports UL LafayetteӰרs members of the military, veterans and their dependents. The first airing of the TV showӰרs episode will be Monday, Aug. 7. Broadcasts will also air on Tuesday, Aug. 8; Monday, Aug. 14; and Saturday, Aug. 26.
ӰרBattle on the BayouӰר was filmed during ӰרBBQ USAӰר host Michael SymonӰרs visit to Operation Smoke Sheaux, which was held in March at PocheӰרs RV Park near Breaux Bridge, La. World renowned chef Symon, according to the ӰרBBQ USAӰר website, travels Ӱרthe country to check out some of the most-esteemed Ӱרcue competitions and try the meaty masterpieces theyӰרre famous for.Ӱר
Operation Smoke Sheaux delivered. About 60 of Ӱרthe most competitive of competitive barbecuersӰר from the region and other states served up more than tasty spare ribs, brisket and chicken, explained UL LafayetteӰרs Ryan Gonzales, assistant director of Veteran and Military Student Services.
There was a special smoked gumbo competition the evening before the Saturday barbecue contest, a nod to host SymonӰרs request to cook one of LouisianaӰרs most distinctive dishes. Competitors Ӱר and attendees who paid to sample the fare on Saturday Ӱר danced to Zydeco music from Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band.
Pitmasters also consider the competition a social event. Many arrived early in RVs to set up and swap stories and laughs Ӱר but likely not recipes. Operation Smoke Sheaux is fiercely contested Ӱר for bragging rights, a slice of $10,000 in prize money, and a chance to advance to national competition. ӰרIt has a festival-like atmosphere and, since our areaӰרs barbecue is different from anywhere else, we hope that it can help put us on the map as a go-to barbecue destination like Kansas City or St. Louis,Ӱר Gonzales said.
Operation Smoke Sheaux was launched in 2021. ItӰרs carried out thanks to collaboration between UL LafayetteӰרs Ӱר and the , a local nonprofit that sanctions barbecue contests. UL LafayetteӰרs Dr. Andy Hollerman, interim associate director of the and a professor in the , is BCA president.
Competitor entry fees, attendees, and sponsor contributions fund Operation Smoke Sheaux. Everything is donated, from the meat and music to the location and student volunteer efforts, which included cooking jambalaya. The event has raised more than $29,000 since its inception. Funds go into a UL Lafayette Foundation account. The account supports Office of Veteran and Military Student Services events such as its annual crawfish boil and a pool party for student veterans.
It has also, Gonzales explained, enabled the creation of an Ӱרemergency fundӰר to help student veterans facing extreme hardship, including with health issues or natural disaster recovery. The efforts are important to Gonzales, a U.S. Army National Guard veteran. ӰרWeӰרre truly grateful for the support of the event and our student veterans and participation from the community that has allowed us to thrive and grow,Ӱר he said.
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Photo caption: The Food NetworkӰרs ӰרBBQ USAӰר TV show will feature UL LafayetteӰרs Office of Veteran and Military Student ServicesӰר signature fundraising event Ӱר Operation Smoke Sheaux. The barbecue contest will air during several upcoming episodes of ӰרBattle on the Bayou.Ӱר Episodes will be broadcast on Monday, Aug. 7; Tuesday, Aug. 8; Monday, Aug. 14; and Saturday, Aug. 26. Photo credit: Doug Dugas / Ӱר