BRAE barbecue turns up the heat with annual hot dog eating contest
Every thursday afternoon, the smell of smoky grilled burgers draws students and faculty alike to Building 18-A, where the Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering (BRAE) department hosts its long-running weekly barbecue.
From 11 a.m. to noon, BRAE students serve up burgers, ice-cold drinks and fresh chili at what’s become both a campus staple and a point of pride for the department. Agricultural systems management sophomore and current BRAE barbecue chair Jonathan Evans is behind the grill.
“It just really brings the BRAE community together every thursday,” Evans said. “The entire major and the entire department’s out here, and we’ve got music, it’s just a really good time.”
For nearly 50 years, the weekly barbecue has brought together students not just for lunch, but for connection, fundraising and fellowship. One of the highlights each spring is the Agricultural Engineering Society’s (AES) annual hot dog eating contest, and this year’s competition did not disappoint.
Seven contestants lined up at a long table stocked with condiments, drinks and piles of plain hot dogs. BRAE junior Skylar Rossi took first place, downing nine hot dogs in ten minutes, narrowly beating out his brother, Carson Rossi, who won the contest last year.
“I felt pretty good,” Skylar said. “This was my third year attending, third year competing, and last year it was my brother who won, so I beat him by one this year.”
Proceeds from the barbecue go to AES, a student-run organization that blends professional development with hands-on experience. BRAE freshman and AES member Sydney Cassity said the funds support monthly industry speaker events, community service activities and club operations.
“We’re a career professional club where we have industry speakers come to every monthly meeting to talk to us,” Cassity said. “We do different community service events, and that goes to our AES funds.”
From newcomers to graduating seniors, the BRAE barbecue serves up more than a meal. It’s a lasting tradition that fosters connection, celebrates student life and supports career development.
The barbecue takes place every thursday from 11 a.m. to noon on the BRAE ramp next to Building 18-A.
