WILMINGTON- Celebrate the Valley is taking their signature Taste of the Deerfield Valley culinary event up a notch with guest chef Myron Mixon.

Mixon is a world champion barbecue cook, winner of numerous other barbecue competitions, as well as the star of TLC’s BBQ Pitmasters show, where this year he’ll be one of the judges. At a meet ‘n’ greet event held at the Wilmington Inn & Tavern Wednesday morning, Mixon said he became involved with barbecue competitions in the 1998, as a way to promote the family’s line of Jack’s Old South barbecue products. Since then, he has won $50,000 to $100,000 a year in prize money at competitions held around the country. Mixon says competitors and barbecue fans flock to events where he’s cooking “because they know I’m the one to beat.”

Celebrate the Valley is counting on Mixon to bring visitors to their event, from Friday, September 10 to Sunday, September 12, and to the rest of the valley. Mixon, who hails from Unadilla, GA, says he’s the one who can bring new people to the area. “I’ve got a lot of followers, and I can bring a lot of people to y’all’s community,” Mixon said. “That’s what you want, new people coming here and spending their money in your community. That’s the key. And, believe it or not, a lot of people in Georgia like to go skiing, too.”

Mixon compared Deerfield Valley towns to those around his home in Georgia. “If ever there was a town north of the Mason-Dixon Line that’s anything like my own town, it’s here,” he said, thanking Celebrate the Valley for their hospitality during his visit. “My town has about 1,400 people, and we’re in a county of about 10,000. I know what it’s like to try to get business in a small community like this.”

Mixon will kick off this year’s Taste of the Deerfield Valley event with a VIP barbecue tasting dinner at the Hermitage Inn on Friday night. The evening will include a cooking demonstration by Mixon, and beer pairing by beverage distributor g.housen.

From 9 am to noon, Mixon will join Vermont’s TV Chef Robert Barral, owner of Café Provence in Brandon, along with Vermont Jr. Iron Chef champions from Twin Valley schools, for a cooking show at Mount Snow. Mixon will share his world champion barbecue secrets for using rubs and sauces. Those with tickets to the Taste will be able to sample Mixon’s pulled-pork sliders before the gates open at noon.

Celebrate the Valley’s James Angus said the group’s Taste of the Deerfield Valley event was created five years ago to generate more business in the valley. The event spotlights local food producers and their signature dishes, offering attendees everything from wine tasting to entrees, as well as pastries and desserts. Taste of the Valley was an instant hit with locals and visitors, and has continued to grow each year.

Mixon’s appearance was brokered thanks to the efforts of Sugar Tours and Creative Culinary Tours owner Chris Donnelly.

At the event on Wednesday, Donnelly said that he has organized a number of culinary events and tours with dozens of celebrity chefs. Several years ago, he met Mixon through one of his tours, and the two stayed in touch. This year, Donnelly said, he thought it was time for the area to step into the multibillion dollar “foodie circuit” in a big way, and he brought his plan to enlist Mixon.

For more information about Taste of the Deerfield Valley visit www.celebratethevalley.com. For more information about Myron Mixon visit www.jacksoldsouth.com.