When Joe Fisher was trying to come up with creative approaches to raise funds for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Rev.
W.L. and Barbara Templeton at Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church later this year, he turned to an old friend. That old friend was his large, portable barbecue smoker, which is so big Fisher has to haul it around on a trailer. Fisher came up with an plan to have folks bring their uncooked meat &mdash beef, pork and chicken &mdash to the church parking lot at 610 S.E. Lime and cook it on their own grills or smokers, starting as early as 7 a.m. today. Various meat items can be cooked at the fundraiser, Fisher said. “Somebody might grill hamburgers and say they’re the best hamburgers you ever ate,” Fisher said. “And they just might be.” Judging will take place around noon, after which food will be sold to those in attendance. Fisher said contestants are urged to donate their food to the fundraising effort. “We’re hoping that they’re donating their meat, and they’re donating their time to fix it,” Fisher said. “All the proceeds are going to the church.”
Fisher said those with meat that needs to cook longer and at lower temperatures are advised to come early. Those who will be cooking items that require less grill time, such as hamburgers or steaks, can come later and fire up their grills so their food will be ready for the judges by noon.