A Whitesville Tradition Returns…St. Jude Cook-Off Set for July

When you drive into Whitesville, Kentucky, on Highway 54, the Whitesville Mercantile is one of the first things you pass. However, if Jerry Morris and the Angels for Ashley Cooking Team are under the big cooking pavilion, you might want to stop.

The Mercantile is where Jerry and the team prepare all those amazing Boston butts, ribs, and chickens for the annual St. Jude Radiothon every February. But they're also there throughout the year cooking and raising money for St. Jude or some other charitable endeavor.

St. Jude Annual Cook-Off

I'm not sure when this event began, but I've been a lucky part of it just about every year. I'm lousy with lottery tickets, but I hit the jackpot when I get to participate in the cook-off as a judge.

The number of teams seems to grow with every event, and this year should be no exception. If you have a cooking team, or plan to put one together, and you'd like to enter, the fee is $350. To sign up, contact Jerry Morris at 270-929-3869 or Vickie Morris at 270-302-7794.

The St. Jude Annual Cook-Off will happen on Saturday, July 11th, 2026, at Jerry and Vickie Morris's farm at 1026 New Cut Road in Whitesville. The judging will begin at 4 PM, dinner will be served at 5 PM, and the drop box drawing (after the live and drop box auctions) will take place at 6 PM.

And then the fun continues with live music, ice cream, games and inflatables for the kids, and fireworks at dusk.

It's a summertime party, and some of the best smoked meat you'll ever taste will be the centerpiece.