WALDORF, Md. – It’s time to turn up the heat! St. Charles Towne Center invites guests to test out their grilling skills in the center’s Barbecue Cook-off Contest for a chance to win prizes and grilling glory.

Locals are encouraged to register to compete in the contest beginning Wednesday, May 16 and vote for their favorite contestant from May 29 to June 11. The top three barbecue chefs that are chosen will be showcased in a cook-off on Saturday, June 16 at the St. Charles Towne Center where they will be judged by five local judges for a chance to win the first place prize of a $1400 Kenmore Elite Gas Grill plus a $100 American Express Simon Gift Card and trophy, second place prize of a $75 American Express Simon Gift Card and medal or a third place prize of a $50 American Express Simon Gift Card and medal.

Participants can enter by posting a photo and caption showcasing the best barbecue and an explanation of why they should compete to win on the St. Charles Towne Center’s Facebook page by visiting facebook.com/StCharlesTowneCenter/. Contestants must like and tag @StCharlesTowneCenter and include the hashtag #StCharlesTCBestBBQ to be eligible to win. Open only to legal residents of Maryland who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. For full rules and regulations, please visit simon.com/stcharlestownecenter.

While enjoying the competition, guests can shop at the center’s collection of over 130 specialty stores for the hottest summer styles!

Hungry guests can also get a head start on the culinary experience by visiting the Food Truck Market in the Food Court Parking Lot of St. Charles Towne Center, with tasty selections from Famous Dave’s, Project Milanesa, Healthy Fool Food Truck, Metro Crab Fry Guy, Sammiches, TAMO Smoothies, Pull’D BBQ Truck and many more!