The Angels for Ashley St. Jude Cookout — Day One: Tales From the Pit

I want to say it’s been a dozen years since Jerry Morris and the Angels for Ashley Cooking Team joined the fight against childhood cancer as part of the St. Jude Radiothon.

The Angels for Ashley St. Jude Cookout

Thanks to his team and YOUR appetite for the magnificent Boston butts, ribs, and chickens that they prepare, the annual final totals have regularly far exceeded even our wildest expectations.

The St. Jude Cookout has experienced some evolution in just the last five years. Through the 2020 radiothon, we were offering plate lunches. But the COVID hit a month later, leading Jerry to make the decision—a cost-effective one—to cut the lunches. That was 2021, the same year the team preparing the butts, ribs, and chickens out in Whitesville and then transporting them into town. The difference, in terms of the final totals, has been noticeable.

Friends of Jerry have also helped immeasurably. Give him a $100 bill and you become his friend. (You would have, anyway.) And it all goes to St. Jude.

Cookout Menu and Prices

The Boston butts are $35; the racks of ribs are $25; the chickens are $15 apiece. So if you didn’t snag yours on Thursday, you can do so on Friday. And for the first time in four years, the cookout falls on Big Game weekend. You don’t need me to tell you how perfect all this meat would be for your big party.

It's always a great pleasure and privilege to work with this team any time of the year, but especially for this particular cookout. Here is a collection of images from the first day. I call them "Tales from the Pit."