KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 24, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield is excited to announce the six finalists of the Smithfield Hog Wild Throwdown and their qualifying fresh pork recipes. The contestants will go head-to-head at the 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue® in front of award-winning celebrity pitmasters Tuffy Stone, Moe Cason, and Weber Grillmaster Kevin Kolman. Hundreds of "Backyard Barbecuers" and "Pitmaster Pros" from around the country submitted their best grilled fresh pork recipes for the opportunity to compete in the Hog Wild Throwdown, live on-stage at the world's largest barbecue competition. The Smithfield Hog Wild Throwdown finale will take place on Oct. 28 — Oct. 29 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. and will award one lucky winner with a new 2016 Ford F-150 XL pickup truck and $2,000 in cash.

"We've seen such great talent from grilling enthusiasts all over the country throughout the Smithfield Hog Wild Throwdown, and the competition is just heating up," said Emily Detwiler, senior brand manager for Smithfield Foods. "Smithfield is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the American Royal World Series of Barbecue and we're excited to see the fresh pork recipes these finalists bring to the grill in order to claim the title of Hog Wild Throwdown Grand Champion!"

From May through August, participants entered their favorite recipes into the Smithfield Hog Wild Throwdown contest as a "Pitmaster Pro" or "Backyard Barbecuer" in three different fresh pork categories including: "Pick Your Favorite Fresh Pork Cut," "Make the Ultimate Ribs," and "Grill Pork Like a Steak." Celebrity pitmasters Cason and Stone selected one "Pitmaster Pro" and one "Backyard Barbecuer" winner per category to make up the six finalists.

Meet the Finalists & Their Qualifying Recipes:

Category 1: Pick Your Favorite Fresh Pork Cut

Korean Bang Bang Caramel Chipotle Pork Pinchos featuring Smithfield Teriyaki Marinated Fresh Pork Tenderloin
Naylet LaRochelle, Backyard Barbecuer (Miami, FL)

The Cuban Cigar featuring Smithfield Fresh Pork Loin Filet
Andy Rowe, Pitmaster Pro (Saint Charles, MO)

Category 2: Make the Ultimate Ribs

Blood Orange Fig Zesty Back Ribs featuring Smithfield Fresh Pork Back Ribs
Darci Bos, Backyard Barbecuer (Lebanon, TN)

Smoked Washington Cherry Baby Back Ribs featuring Smithfield Fresh Pork Back Ribs
Jordan Poole, Pitmaster Pro (Bentonville, AR)

Category 3: Grill Pork Like a Steak

Chipotle and Sriracha Rubbed Bone-in Pork Steak with Jalapeno, Garlic and Cilantro Harissa featuring Smithfield Bone-in Center Cut Pork Chops
Chera Little, Backyard Barbecuer (Leander, TX)

Spanish Style Pork Steak with Flamenco Potatoes and Charred Tapas Ensalada featuring Smithfield Fresh Porterhouse Pork Chops
Suzanne Clark, Pitmaster Pro (Phoenix, AZ)

At the Smithfield Hog Wild Throwdown finale, the finalists will go through a three-round, single-elimination tournament. Following each round of competition, one "Pitmaster Pro" and one "Backyard Barbecuer" will be eliminated while the remaining contestants move on. Each round, contestants will be tasked to develop a unique grilling recipe featuring a different fresh pork cut.

The recipes will be judged on originality and creativity using Smithfield Fresh Pork, taste and tenderness, overall appearance, and Pitmaster presentation to the judges. The finalist in Round 3 whose recipe receives the highest score will be named the Grand Prize winner and take home a brand new 2016 Ford F-150 XL pickup truck and $2,000 in cash.

Smithfield is the presenting sponsor of the American Royal World Series of Barbecue®, with nearly 600 teams from across the country competing for the title of Grand Champion. Attendees will also get to enjoy free fresh pork rib samples and giveaways throughout the event at the Smithfield stage. To view the official Hog Wild Throwdown contest rules, finalist recipes, and grilling tips and tricks, visit www.SmithfieldThrowdown.com. To view the full calendar of events and to purchase tickets for this year's American Royal, visit www.AmericanRoyal.com.

About Smithfield
A leading provider of high-quality pork products, Smithfield was founded in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia. From hand-trimmed ribs, loins and bacon and slow-smoked holiday hams to marinated tenderloins, Smithfield brings artistry, authenticity and a commitment to heritage, flavor, and handcrafted excellence to everything it produces. With a vast product portfolio including smoked meats, hams, bacon, sausage, ribs, and a wide variety of fresh pork cuts, the company services retail, foodservice, and deli channels across the United States and 30 countries abroad. All of Smithfield's products meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. To learn more about how Flavor Hails from Smithfield, please visit www.Smithfield.com, www.Twitter.com/SmithfieldBrand, and www.Facebook.com/CookingWithSmithfield. Smithfield is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Nathan's Famous®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Carando®,Healthy Ones®, Krakus ®, Morliny®, and Berlinki®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

About American Royal Association
Woven through the history of Kansas City since 1899, the American Royal provides opportunities for youth and adults from around the country to compete in our Livestock Show, ProRodeo, Horse Shows and the World Series of BBQ.  These events allow the American Royal, a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization to give over $1 million annually for youth scholarships and support agriculture education programs. Over 270,000 attendees annually attend American Royal events that generate over $60 million of economic impact. To learn more about the American Royal visit AmericanRoyal.com.

Media Contacts:
Hunter PR for Smithfield
Morgan Calef
mcalef@hunterpr.com
(212) 679-6600