'BBQ Babes' Smoke the Competition at Hardin County Youth Show Cookoff

October 8, 2025 - The pit was fired up and the competition was fierce as several Silsbee High School FFA students showcased their culinary skills at the Hardin County Youth Show Project Barbecue Cookoff.

The SHS “BBQ Babes” team, led by Ag Instructor of Animal Science David G. Eller, included seniors Rhaleigh Cox, Matti Potter, Sarah Langston, and Sarah Johnston. Competing against 16 teams from across the areas, the group took home top honors, earning Grand Champion for Brisket and Reserve Grand Champion for Overall Best Barbecue.

Each team competed in three categories which included brisket, ribs, and chef’s choice, and all food was required to be prepared entirely on the grill. The BBQ Babes fired up their pit at 5:15 a.m. and spent the day at the Hardin County barn perfecting their entries.

Adding a special touch to their victory, the pit they used was originally built by SHS Ag students about 15 years ago, continuing a proud tradition of craftsmanship and excellence within the program.

“This group showed incredible dedication,” said Ag Instructor David Eller. “They were out there before sunrise, working together, staying focused, and representing Silsbee ISD with pride. To see them earn this kind of recognition for their hard work makes me extremely proud.”

Judges for the competition included Silsbee ISD Director of Communications Kelsey Johnson, along with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Lumberton ISD. To ensure fairness, each team’s entry was assigned a ticket number rather than a name, so judges had no knowledge of which plate belonged to which team during the tasting process.

The BBQ Babes’ impressive performance is another shining example of the skill, dedication, and Tiger Pride that defines Silsbee FFA.