The world's largest barbecue contest opens at the American Royal

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - The West Bottoms will be smoking this weekend as the 32nd annual American Royal Barbecue contest gets underway.

The world's largest barbecue contest is open to the public between Friday, September 30 and Sunday, October 2nd.  Some call the weekend the "World Series of Barbecue."

500 contestants will compete in four meat categories.

One of the contestants is Operation BBQ Relief.  The organization was started by three barbecue lovers after the Joplin tornado in May.  The trio headed to Joplin with some smokers, donated meat and poultry and got cooking.  They only expected to feed about 6,000 meals.  But each day, stores like Sam's Club, donated more food.  In the end, the organization served 120,000 meals to volunteers, victims, relief and rescue workers.

Operation BBQ Relief also set up shop in Pennsylvania after the floods.

One of the founders, Stan Hays, hopes to raise money and awareness over the course of the weekend so the organization can provide food to disaster victims year round.

The main gates open to the public at 12 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday.  Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 day of. 

The BBQ Expo and Food Court is open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information on the American Royal Barbecue:  http://www.americanroyal.com/

For more information on Operation BBQ Relief: http://www.operationbbqrelief.org/ www.operationbbqrelief.org/