Main Street’s newest coworking space is ready to throw down

The Times Collaborative is partnering with Louisiana Glynn’s and Loveland’s Stoake-D-Fire BBQ Supply Store for a Downtown Longmont BBQ Throwdown on September 5. 

The competition is open to BBQ amateurs of all stripes across four categories — ribs, burgers, homemade beer BBQ sauce and an “Anything Goes” People’s Choice category. 

Times Collaborative owner Heather Marvin said the BBQ Throwdown was a natural progression after working with a number of chefs in the coworking space’s commercial kitchen. When looking for some events they could host out of the building, Marvin was connected to Lousiana Glynn’s Glynn Hatcherson. Hatcherson introduced Marvin to Stoake-D-Fire and the ideas started cooking.

Would-be competitors will make use of the lot at 300 Kimbark Street, behind the Times Collaborative, to set up their equipment to smoke the competition. Load-in begins at 6:30 a.m. and the first turn-in for a dish will be around 4 p.m., Marvin said. 

Ribs, hamburger meat and the 300 Suns beer used for the BBQ sauce will be provided by the Times Collaborative to keep the field even. The three main categories will be judged by professional chefs, including Hatcherson, but there’s also an opportunity for hungry locals to join in. Members of the public can buy 10 judging tokens for $10 and sample the competition.

The event is open to individuals and teams for an entry fee of $100, which will help cover the cost of materials. According to Marvin, there will be more than just glory for the victors. A combination of cash prizes, along with some surprises, await first, second and third place competitors. 

“We’d love to grab more competitors,” Marvin said. “There’s plenty of space in the next two weeks to join us.”

Rules and sign-up information are available at the Times Collaborative website, and the competition heats up on September 5.