BBQ enthusiasts in NYC, mark your calendars! The NYC BBQ Cookoff 2017, the only BBQ competition in NYC sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, takes place from Noon to 4pm on April 8th at Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island.

During the event, many teams from all around New York and the surrounding area will be competing to make the best brisket, pork ribs, chicken, and more. The biggest draw for attendees is the ability to see some of the best BBQ teams in the area at work and the chance to talk to them. There will also be a ton of food and merchandise vendors, the ability to sample some of the BBQ, and you get to vote in the People's Choice award at the end of the event.

Tickets are available online. For adults, they cost $12.75 in advance ($15 at the door) and for children they are $6 in advance ($8 at the door.) The event is rain or shine with no refunds, so pack a poncho and umbrella if rain is in the forecast.

Oh, and the event location at Historic Richmond Town will also be accessible and looks like a blast. The Historic Richmond Town complex offers up an authentic town and farm museum featuring artifacts and buildings that date back to the mid-1600s. Tickets to this event cover all the BBQ festivities and access to the whole complex.

I know that for many people in NYC, Staten Island can be a little bit of a hike. But for true BBQ enthusiasts and especially anyone who lives on Staten Island, this will be an outstanding event to attend with the whole family.

I will be attending the event and spending some of my time shadowing the very talented Handsome Devil BBQ team. Last year, this team won first place in the pork ribs category and placed fifth overall, so I can't wait to see how they do this year. If anyone wants to meet up at the event, send me a note at newyorkcitybbq@gmail.com and we'll connect.

Also, for those that are curious and follow BBQ teams, here's a list of all the teams that will be at this year's NYC BBQ Cookoff 2017:

The Smoking Section
Handsome Devil LLC
The Bearded One
Chicken Chokers
Skara Old School BBQ
Que Biz
Top Gun BBQ
Glazed and Confused New Jersey BBQ
Smokin' Tex BBQ
What BBQ
Blazin' Buttz BBQ
A-Que
Bridge Builder BBQ
The Notorious P.I.G. (Piggy Smallz BBQ)
Crown City BBQ
Chain Smokers
Moon River BBQ
Smokin' Hoggz BBQ
Pullin My Money Muscle
Smokin Irish
Poppa-Q-BBQ
Dan's Righteous Ribs
Paddy McQ's
Dr. Pearl's Medicinal Smoke BBQ Team
Shig Ninja BBQ
Pulled Cork BBQ & Sauce
Smokin' Bulldogs
Dig'n-N-Pig'n
Ribs Within
Backdraft Bar-B-Q CT
The Reed Boyz
Old Coaches BBQ
I Que
Salt & Bone
Big Dogz BBQ
Q Haven BBQ
5 Alarm BBQ
Beerbeque
Late Night Hoggers
Bite Back BBQ
Hocus-Smokus
Richmond County Pit Bros
Kim Chi Smoke
Smokin' Addiction BBQ
Fitz's Solo BBQ
Fig Puckers
There's No Crying In BBQ

Take Note: This Year's NYC BBQ Cookoff Takes Place April 8