FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Media Contact:
Liz Bodet
504.583.5550
lizbodet@gmail.com

New Orleans, Louisiana - Hogs for the Cause has just closed out its biggest fundraiser of the year and is excited to announce the names of the grand champion, category winners and top fundraiser for the 2017 Ben Sarrat, Jr. Cook Off presented by Children's Hospital. In addition, the 2017 inductees into the Hog of Fame were revealed during the 9th Annual Hogs for the Cause event on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the New Orleans Lakefront Arena Grounds, with nearly 30,000 in attendance over two days. "Another amazing year at Hogs for the Cause is in the record books," states Becker Hall, CEO & Co-Founder of Hogs for the Cause. "A new location, an outstanding gala, the addition of a third stage, an astounding fundraising record, exceptional bands, dazzling BBQ competitors, and the best darn fans in the South-who could ask for more!" Hogs for the Cause has emerged as the premier funding source for pediatric brain cancer outreach services in the United States, and has been named the Best Local Charity Event by Gambit Weekly three years in a row.

2017 Hog of Fame Inductees:

Melzie Wilson
Melzie has transformed the Ben Sarrat, Jr. Cook Off into one of the top barbecue competitions in the country. Melzie has been instrumental in leading all aspects of judging and team competition. We are eternally grateful to her and her team for helping us give our teams the best judging in Q.

The Dinner Krewe: Alex Layfield, Alex Pappas, Jess Mangum, and Heather Lolley
For 5 years, this spectacular group of women has transformed a simple directive of "make a cool dinner" into one of the city's most highly anticipated fetes. Alex Layfield and Jess Magnum have moved the auction to heights never even dreamed of, while Alex Pappas has always provided exceptional decor. And no dinner would be complete without our behind the scenes ace, Heather Lolley of the Link Restaurant Group, who keeps the trains on time.

Christopher Puckett
Captain of one of our leading Fundraising Teams, The Boar's Nest. Chris has spearheaded a team that has collected a lot of hardware for their food and their fundraising efforts.

Jonathan and Justin Fox
The force behind Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q, and BBQ wunderkind have a thriving restaurant enterprise in Atlanta that has helped create a fundraising juggernaut at Hogs.

The 9th Annual Ben Sarrat, Jr. Cook Off featured 90 teams this year. The BBQ competitors vied for the title of Grand Champion, along with champions in the categories of Grand Champion, Whole Hog, Ribs, Pork Butt/Shoulder, Porkpourri (anything pork); Best Sauce; Fan Favorite, Blue Plate Best Side, Best Booth, Friday Night Party, and Fundraising Champion.

The winners are:

GRAND CHAMPION: Blue Oak BBQ

2nd Place: Frey Smoked Meats (...a Carrolton Battle)

WHOLE HOG: Mr. Pigglesworth

RIBS: Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

PORK BUTT/SHOULDER: Mississippi Bacon Association

PORKPOURRI: Pork City BBQ with their Green Curry Boudin

BEST SAUCE: Aporkalypse Now

FAN FAVORITE: Mr. Pigglesworth

BLUE PLATE MAYONNAISE "BEST SIDE": Stand Up and Snout

BEST BOOTH: House of Hogs

FRIDAY NIGHT PARTY: The Boar's Nest

FUNDRAISING CHAMPION: Fleur de Que who raised over $225,000

TEAMS THAT RAISED OVER $100,000:
Fleur De Que
The Boar's Nest
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

TEAMS THAT RAISED OVER $50,000:
Piggy Stardust
Mr. Pigglesworth

TEAMS THAT RAISED OVER $40,000:
Puerco Rico
Deuce Pigalow Pork Gigolo
Hog Dat Nation

TEAMS THAT RAISED OVER $30,000:
March of the Pigs
Captain Porkenheimer

TEAMS THAT RAISED OVER $20,000:
Frey Smoked Meats
Barbacoa Brotherhood
Swine and Dine Baby
Druids BBQ
Mr. Pig Stuff
Silence of the Ham

TEAMS THAT RAISED OVER $10,000:
Blue Oak BBQ
Magnum P.I.G
Sweet Swine O Mine
Swine Krewe
Up In Smoke
Chits and Piggles
Team Company Burger
Pigzani and Hogsociates
6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon
Lard and in Charge
House of Hogs
Messi Swine
Aporkalypse Now
Stand Up and Snout
Ubons


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About Hogs for the Cause
Hogs for the Cause is a 501c(3) organization that provides aid and relief of those variable expenses and economic burdens which families face while their child is being treated for pediatric brain cancer. Currently, Hogs for the Cause operates as the premier funding source for pediatric brain cancer outreach services in the United States and has given grants to over 400 families in need, and has made financial contributions to children's hospitals in New Orleans, South Carolina and Atlanta.