Smokin’ for Scholars

Get ready to fire up the pits for the 3rd Annual Orange Grove ISD Education Foundation “Smokin’ for Scholars” BBQ Cook-Off, an IBCA-sanctioned event happening December 4–5, 2026 at Wilderness Lakes RV Resort – Lake Corpus Christi, 22552 Park Road 25, Mathis, TX 78368.

Smokin’ for Scholars brings together competitive barbecue, community, and a great cause — all in support of the Orange Grove ISD Education Foundation. Whether you’re bringing your best brisket, joining one of our jackpot categories, sponsoring the event, or simply coming out to support, we’re looking forward to another great weekend on Lake Corpus Christi.

Cook-Off Registration

Team Entry: $300

Your team entry includes the team entry to compete in the three main IBCA meat categories:

Chicken • Pork Spare Ribs • Brisket

All registered entries also receive a water/electric RV spot. Teams may consist of one Head Cook and up to four team members.

Optional jackpot categories are available for $25 each:

Ribeye Steak- Full garnish
Beans- Anything goes
Dessert- Full garnish

Cash Payouts & Prizes

This year’s cook-off features an incredible $7,000 total event payout.

The main meat categories — Brisket, Chicken and Pork Spare Ribs — will feature cash payouts for 1st through 10th place, plus prizes awarded through 15th place in each category.

Grand Champion — $500 Cash
Reserve Grand Champion — $300 Cash

Grand and Reserve Champions will also receive custom Short Rib Drum Smokers.

The Ribeye Steak, Beans and Dessert jackpot categories will each feature a 50/50 cash prize payout for 1st place only.

In total, the event will also feature $3,000 in prizes.

Weekend Schedule

Friday, December 4

4:00–6:00 PM — Tray Pickup
6:00 PM — Head Cook’s Meeting
7:00 PM — Ribeye Steak Turn-In

Stick around Friday night for our Dart Tournament, featuring a $300 payout and a $10 entry fee.

Saturday, December 5

10:00 AM — Beans
11:00 AM — Dessert
12:00 PM — Chicken
1:30 PM — Pork Spare Ribs
3:00 PM — Brisket

A Silent Auction will also be taking place throughout the day Saturday.

Important Cook-Off Information

All competition items must be cooked on-site, and IBCA judging rules will apply. No pre-cooking or marinating of competition meats is allowed before the start of the cook-off. Fires must use wood or charcoal; gas or electricity may be used to start the fire but not to complete the cooking process. Open pits or fires built directly on the ground are not permitted.

Competition turn-in requirements include:

Ribeye Steak: Full garnish allowed.
Dessert: Must be cooked on-site; full garnish allowed.
Beans: Must be cooked on-site; anything goes.
Chicken: One fully jointed half chicken with breast, wing with tip visible, thigh and drumstick with skin on. No Cornish game hens.
Pork Spare Ribs: Eight individual bone-in pork spare ribs. St. Louis cut is acceptable. No baby back or country-style ribs. Ribs must be placed meat-side up in the tray.
Brisket: Eight full slices. Fat may be trimmed or removed before slices are placed in the tray.

Contestants are responsible for keeping their assigned area clean and removing all equipment, props and materials from the site by Sunday at 10:00 AM. Recreational vehicles such as golf carts, UTVs and Gators are permitted and must be operated by a licensed driver.

Teams should review the complete IBCA rules at ibcabbq.org before competing.

Become a Smokin’ for Scholars Sponsor

Businesses and community partners can also support Smokin’ for Scholars through several sponsorship opportunities.

Brisket Benefactor — $250
Includes a small logo on the event banner, company listing on volunteer sponsorship shirts, and recognition on OGISDEF social media.

Charcoal Champion — $500
Includes a medium logo on the event banner, company listing on volunteer sponsorship shirts, recognition on OGISDEF social media, and the BBQ Cook-Off entry fee waived for one team with a regular space.

Smoke Ring Sponsor — $1,000
Includes recognition during Friday’s Dart Tournament, a medium logo on the event banner, small logo on volunteer sponsorship shirts, recognition on OGISDEF social media, and waived BBQ Cook-Off team entry plus all jackpot entries.

Pitmaster Partner — $2,500
Includes a Spring Innovative Teaching Grant named in your honor, two seats at the Recognizing Excellence in Education Dinner Banquet, recognition during the Reserve Grand Champion award, a large logo on the event banner, a company logo banner in the judging area, a medium logo on volunteer sponsorship shirts, and recognition on OGISDEF social media.

Prize Drum Sponsor — $2,500 — Only 1 Available
Includes waived team entry and all jackpot entries, a Spring Innovative Teaching Grant named in your honor, two seats at the Recognizing Excellence in Education Dinner Banquet, recognition during the Reserve Grand Champion award, your logo/company name incorporated into metal art on the Grand/Reserve Champion prize drums, a large logo on the event banner, a company logo banner in the judging area, a medium logo on volunteer sponsorship shirts, and recognition on OGISDEF social media.

Pit Boss Sponsor — $5,000
Includes waived entry for two BBQ Cook-Off teams plus all jackpot entries, a Spring Innovative Campus Grant named in your honor, four seats at the Recognizing Excellence in Education Dinner Banquet, recognition during the Grand Champion award, a large logo on the event banner, a company logo banner in the judging area, a large logo on volunteer sponsorship shirts, and recognition on OGISDEF social media.

Questions?

For questions about registration, sponsorships or the event, contact:

cookoff.event@ogisdef.org

The Orange Grove ISD Education Foundation is recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Gather your team. Fire up the smoker. Compete for a cause. We’ll see you at Smokin’ for Scholars!

2026 Smokin' for Scholars