Things can get heated in Parliament and they’ve dealt with a few pork chops in their time, but how will Mark Coulton and Adam Marshall go in the Blokes on the BBQ Competition?

The Member for Northern Tablelands, Mr Marshall, concedes he’s probably better with a bureaucrat than a barbecue.

“I’ve cooked my share of chops in the backyard, but the ‘steaks’ seem very high in this competition,” he said.

“I’ve got no idea what I’m walking into – I think parliament is easier to predict.”

Mr Marshall said he would be playing it safe this year, choosing simple meats that he could cook well.

The federal member for Parkes, Mr Coulton, said he was looking forward to the challenge of the barbecue grill.

“Adam and I will be looking forward to an entertaining and enjoyable day at the cook-off,” he said.

Moree shire mayor Katrina Humphries will be one of the judges of this year’s event.

“I’ve worked over the hotplate at my business Fishabout for a very long time now, so I know all the tricks of the trade – but a little tip for the day: I hate mushrooms,” said said.

Greg Cumberland of WMG Agri services will see return to the competition to defend his 2016 winning title, with colleague Col Pring.

Other competitor pairs will include Rabobank’s Drew Hawkins and Marco Ciochelli, Paul Fisher and Rob Long, Sandy Cosh and Jared Snook; and Greg Bell and Mark Simpson from Gwydir Chiropractic.

Organiser Marianne Pollock said the competition had proven a fun and lighthearted drawcard for event.

Each team receives a cut of their choice from South Moree Butchery and Reados Butcher, and a mystery local ingredient allocated on the day.

“Last year this really kept the teams on their toes and certainly sorted out the men from the boys,” she said.

Initially introduced to the Festival to get more men involved, Marianne said there was now a strong call for women to be involved also.

“Who knows, next year we could include some Girls on the Grill, then we’d really know who really is King, or Queen, of the Barbecue."