Your very own chicken, brisket or other favorite meat could win you prizes, cash ... and the championship title.

The Reporter-News is hosting its first annual "Death to Summer Meat Fest" barbecue contest.

The first place winner will take home a Thermos tailgate grill/cooler combo valued at $200. Second place receives $75 cash and third place gets dinner for two at Lytle Land & Cattle Co. and Sharon’s Barbeque & Catering.

Registration for the Meat Fest contest is under way.

Entry forms are available right here at EatAbilene.com. Click on the link above.

Meat Fest contest details:

The mission: Drop-off a sampling of your best, be it chicken, brisket or ribs, and your recipe between 5 and 6 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Reporter-News, 101 Cypress St. (We need two servings of meat. No side dishes please.)

Who: Any amateur barbecue connoisseur in the Big Country. Sorry, no professionals or relatives of Reporter-News employees.

Judging: KTXS anchor George Levesque, Reporter-News columnist Janet Van Vleet, Rock 108 D.J. Frank Pain, 9th Bomb Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Rob Maness and local restaurant owner Sharon Allen are the Meat Fest judges. They will scrutinize your masterpiece based on overall taste, presentation, sauce originality and meat tenderness.

What’s at stake: Prizes, bragging rights, your picture and recipe published in the newspaper or online. All participants will walk away with a prize.

The title and the pride: Winners will be announced Aug. 31.

How you can step-up: Fill out an entry form by midnight Aug. 19.