The Memphis in May barbecue competition takes place in Tennessee. Memphis in May is a month-long festival held in Memphis, Tennessee, along the Mississippi River.
Its World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest became one of the festival’s signature events. The contest celebrates Memphis-style pork barbecue, especially ribs, shoulder, and whole hog, and attracts teams from across the United States and other countries.
A common mix-up is confusing Memphis with nearby barbecue centers in neighboring states. Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama all have important barbecue traditions, but Memphis is located in Tennessee. The competition’s name refers to the city and festival, not to a statewide event that moves among Southern barbecue regions.
The contest is also frequently described as the world’s largest pork barbecue competition. That wording distinguishes it from broader barbecue contests, which may include brisket, chicken, sausage, and other categories.