TUCSON, AZ–(Marketwire – October 1, 2010) –  JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa has announced the first annual Starr Pass Barbeque Classic taking place October 29-30, 2010. The Tucson resort’s weekend of fun and finger-lickin’ food will pit top barbeque teams from across the country competing to win the inaugural event as well as featuring drinks, family games and more. Fully sanctioned and judged by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) and AZ Barbeque, this event promises to be the first of its kind in Southern Arizona.

“We’re thrilled to host the Starr Pass Barbeque Classic,” said the Tuscon, AZ resort’s Executive Chef, Chris Brown. Brown is the mastermind behind the event and, being a KCBS award-winning barbeque pit master himself, he wanted to bring an event of this caliber to Southern Arizona. “It’s been a dream of mine to help bring a world-class event like this to Tucson and now it’s a reality. From the competition and grilling to the fun-filled family activities, there’s truly something for everyone. The event also allows us a fantastic opportunity to give back to our local community.”

Some of the finest competitive barbeque teams in the country will make their way to the resort in Tucson to fire up their savory, saucy specialties and compete for a share of $10,000 in cash and prizes. Among the competitors is multiple-grand-championship-winner Harry Soo and his Slap Yo’ Daddy BBQ team. Teams will be competing in several categories including chicken, pork, pork ribs and beef brisket. Fans who want to get closer to the action can sign up for Thursday night’s KCBS-certified judging class to learn the official rules, regulations and tasting tips employed by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. The class costs $55 for KCBS members and $90 for non-KCBS members and includes food as well as a year’s membership to KCBS. 

In addition to the prizes, teams will compete for a much bigger cause. The Special Olympics will sponsor the event and a portion of the proceeds will go directly to the organization and its mission of encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide.

As well as the main BBQ competition on Saturday, there will be Dessert, Anything Butt and BBQ Appetizer Contests on Friday. Throughout the weekend, visitors to the Tucson family resort will enjoy a bevy of goodies including samples of competition BBQ, a free slider sandwich meal from Catalina Barbeque Co. & Sports Bar, live bands, live chef demonstrations, vendors, Halloween-themed games and trick-or-treating for the kids, a family fun area, and much more. Tickets for the event are $45 each and kids 12 and under get in free!

For barbeque fanatics and families who want to enjoy a full weekend of food and fun, the JW Marriott Starr Pass has rolled out special room rates exclusively for event attendees. Tucson vacation packages include:

• Arrive on Saturday for one night and receive two tickets (a $90 value) to the competition. Starting at $319 per night. Online code: XWDA and XWDB

• Arrive on Friday for two nights and receive one $25 resort credit and two tickets to the competition. Starting at $319 per night. Online code: XWDU and XWDV

Of course, the weekend won’t just be about food — what barbeque event would be complete without beer? Event sponsor New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of award-winning Fat Tire Amber Ale, will be on-site at the resort with their famous beer truck serving their delicious selection of suds for visitors to wash down the grilled goodies. New Belgium will also be hosting a special beer pairing five-course dinner and passed hors d’oeuvres reception following Saturday’s festivities from Primo. Tickets to the post-event reception and dinner are available for $90.

For more information about the event, including a schedule of activities, please visit www.AZBarbeque.com. To make reservations please visit www.marriott.com/tussp or call 888-527-8989.

About JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa
Having been named to Travel + Leisure World’s Best Hotels Top 500 List two years running (2008, 2009), Starr Pass draws on the beauty of its mountainous location. The golf resort incorporates the natural desert as its landscape design theme. With 575 spacious guestrooms, 88,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, five restaurants, a 20,000 sq. ft. spa, four separate pools, a lazy river and water slide, the Audubon Certified Arnold Palmer Signature golf facility consisting of 27 holes and practice facilities, and 888 underground and covered parking spaces, the luxury resort boasts of being not only the largest resort in southern Arizona, but also the only true eco-resort in Tucson. This eco theme extends to its Primo restaurant that serves only organic and jet fresh fish, its Hashani Spa, which uses natural desert plant oils and its direct access to the Tucson Mountain Park for fabulous hiking and mountain biking trails. To quote Bill Marriott, “you can build all types of amenities but it would be impossible to duplicate what Starr Pass has, the Tucson Mountain Park.” The JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa is located at 3800 W. Starr Pass and can be reached directly by calling (520) 792-3500.

id=”nav_links”>