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The Bandera High School Ash Kickers barbecue team competes at Nationals, placing 17th overall out of 57 teams.
Courtesy Photos
July 3, 2024
High school culinary team puts Bandera barbecue on the national map
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
In their first year of competition, the Bandera High School barbecue team qualified to take their award-winning recipes to Branson, Missouri, challenging culinary students from all over the country.
The Bandera Ash Kickers placed 6th in chicken and 15th in chili at the national competition held last month, coming in 17th overall out of 57 teams.
“We’re currently looking at developing a third team,” leader and teacher Stephanie Pitts said.
At state, Morgan Sperry won grand champion in chili, and Carter Schmidt won eighth in ribs. Bandera’s second team, the Smoke Dawgs, also competed at state.
“Judging is subjective, other states’ judges have different pallettes,” Pitts said, adding the teams, comprised of all grade levels, are already prepping for next year’s competition, which will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 3, 2025.
This year, Bandera ISD will host the National High School Barbecue Association regional competion on Friday, Nov. 1. Judges are needed, Pitts said.
The BHS Culinary Department is entering the charcuterie competition at State Fair in Dallas this October. The Texas sized and shaped board features a mouthwatering array of cheeses, cold cuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, and more. The team will be there for three days.
Bandera ISD will host the National High School Barbecue Association regional competion on Friday, Nov. 1. Judges are needed, Pitts said.
“The Ash kickers will compete in the National Day of the American Cowboy barbecue contest [held July 27],” Pitts said. “Come see what these high school kids can do.”
The Bandera Ash Kickers placed 6th in chicken and 15th in chili at the national competition held last month, coming in 17th overall out of 57 teams.
“We’re currently looking at developing a third team,” leader and teacher Stephanie Pitts said.
At state, Morgan Sperry won grand champion in chili, and Carter Schmidt won eighth in ribs. Bandera’s second team, the Smoke Dawgs, also competed at state.
“Judging is subjective, other states’ judges have different pallettes,” Pitts said, adding the teams, comprised of all grade levels, are already prepping for next year’s competition, which will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 3, 2025.
This year, Bandera ISD will host the National High School Barbecue Association regional competion on Friday, Nov. 1. Judges are needed, Pitts said.
The BHS Culinary Department is entering the charcuterie competition at State Fair in Dallas this October. The Texas sized and shaped board features a mouthwatering array of cheeses, cold cuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, and more. The team will be there for three days.
Bandera ISD will host the National High School Barbecue Association regional competion on Friday, Nov. 1. Judges are needed, Pitts said.
“The Ash kickers will compete in the National Day of the American Cowboy barbecue contest [held July 27],” Pitts said. “Come see what these high school kids can do.”
The Bandera High School Culinary Arts students will enter their award-winning charcuterie board at State Fair this October.