Smoked Meat Festival May 18, 2019 The 2019 Louisiana Smoked Meat Festival took place this weekend after an absence of one year and the public packed the Ville Platte Civic Center Grand Pavilion Friday night and all day Saturday. The festival debuted in 1993 by the Evangeline Parish Chapter of the Viet Nam Veterans of America and is now under the direction of Le Viande Boucanne organization. The Opening Ceremony took place at noon Saturday to recognize and honor all veterans. Emcee was Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel. The 2019 Francis Reed Distinguished Smoker award went to Mickey Johnson of Cameron. The Classic Hits 92.5 KVPI road crew was there broadcasting live during the opening ceremony for listeners who could not attend in person. V.V.A. Chapter President J.D. Soileau shared a history of the festival with those in attendance. Festival goers, near and far, enjoyed music by One Trick Pony, Clay Cormier, DJ Todd Ortego, Ashton Dupre and Side Show. One of the highlights is the world championship smoked meat cookoff where professional and amateur groups cook up delicious smoked meat dishes. Special outside judges had a hard time deciding on the winners. Here are the winners in this year's World Championship Smoked Meat Cookoff: Grand Champion Winner in the Professional Category: Teet's Team #2 with head chef Luke Deville for their winning dish "Duck Bombs". Grand Champion Winner in the Amateur Category: Evangeline Bank Team 2 with Head Chef Beth Jones for their dish" Not Ya Mama's Mac n Cheese". Here are all the winners: Best Dressed Team: First Place- Shumberger/Cameron; Second Place- Evangeline Bank; Third Place-Pass a Lick/Howie's Kajun Seasoning; Best Decorated Booth: First Place- Evangeline Bank; Second Place- Jamie Fontenot; Third Place- Charles Guillory; Honorable Mention-Casa Helping People; Amateur Division: Sausage, Andouille, Pounce Category: First Place- Shlumberger/Cameron; Second Place- Charles Guillory; Third Place- Team Sauce; Tasso Category- First Place- Schlumberger/Cameron; Second Place- Cajun Grillerz; Third Place- Evangeline Bank Team 1; Smoked Seafood Category: First Place- Evangeline Bank Team 2; Second Place- Martinique Cookers; Third Place- Crest Industries; Smoked Poultry Category: First Place- Crest Industries; Second Place- Cajun Grillerz; Third Place- Martinique Cookers; Smoked Game Category: First Place: Martinique Cookers; Second Place- Schlumberger/Cameron; Third Place- Mercy Regional Medical Center; Barbecue/Smoker Category: First Place- Team Sauce; Second Place-Crest Industries; Third Place-Martinique Cookers;; In the Professional Division: Sausage, Andouille, Pounce Category: First Place- Teets Team 2-;Second Place- Pass-a-Lick; Third Place-Teets Team 1; Tasso Category: First Place: Big D's Smoke House; Second Place- Pass a Lick Kajun Seasoning; Third Place- Teets Team 1; Smoked Seafood Category: First Place: Teets Team 1 Smoked Poultry Category: First Place: Teets Team 2; Second Place- Pass a Lick Kajun Seasoning; Third Place- Big Mamou Cajun Beef Jerky; Smoked Game Category: First Place: Teet's Team 2; Barbecue/Smoker Category: First Place- Teet's Team 1; Second Place-Bid D's Smokehouse; Third Place: Pass a Lick Kajun Seasoning.