HOUSTON -- This Saturday, a BBQ cook-off is giving back more than heartburn. It’s helping children with autism. 

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Wild West assistent manager Ticia Sly says this year's event is more about creating awareness than raising a lot of money.

Normally known for its two-steppin’ and longneckin’, Houston’s Wild West bar on Richmond is taking their entertainment out into the parking lot for the day in honor of The Midge & Vern Thrower Memorial BBQ Cook-Off and Auction. 

The Memorial Cook-Off is in its fourth year, but August 2 will be the first time that Wild West hosts  the event. Eleven teams have signed up to compete and each of them is making a brisket.  The contestants can marinate their meat, use rubs and special spices, or even secret 'family' traditions to create their mouthwatering masterpieces.

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Eleven Houston teams are competing in the cook-off.

“All of the teams are local and range from people who have done this kind of thing before to the average ‘Joe’ who can cook up a really good brisket,” said Ticia Sly, assistant manager of Wild West Houston.

The event kicks off at 11:00 a.m., with the official start-up of the fire pits, and then the barbequing will begin. But while the competing chefs are slaving away over the grill, those who come out and pay a $10 donation can enjoy a buffet, live music and other activities, such as a silent auction, that are planned for the day.

In fact, two of the teams, The Texas Regulators and the Musky BBQ Team, spent all of Friday cooking a special brisket just for the noon buffet on August 2.

“It’s our first year so we aren’t sure what to expect.  So far we’re happy with the response,” said Sly. "We aren't sure how many people are going to show up but we have enough food to feed about 250.”

But the event isn’t only about the food; it’s about helping children.

“My son has autism.  That’s why I’m involved,” said Sly. “He was diagnosed in 2002.”

Sly says the cook-off just happened to be something that made sense for her.  She had been friends with Lynn Thrower who is related to Midge and Vern, the founders of the event.  She had no idea when she met Lynn that her son would have autism.

“It was ironic,” said Sly. “Lynn was such a good friend and I had a son that ended up with autism.”

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. According the Autism Society of America, it affects 1 in 150 births and is the fastest growing developmental disability.

Wild West doesn’t expect to raise a lot of money this year.  The event is more about raising awareness about autism and getting people involved.

“We’d love to raise $10,000 or $15,000, but whether or not it happens is okay with us,” said Sly.

As a parent of child with autism, Sly says the services you need can be overwhelming and medical insurance doesn’t always cover everything.  She said the most important thing a parent needs is a good support group that ranges from family and friends, to a medical center and the school system.

“I am lucky.  My son’s teachers will be at the BBQ.  They have been very supportive, but that’s not the case for everyone,” said Sly.

Sly says one of her friends has a child that isn’t getting the support he needs at school.  “He can’t even write his name,” said Sly.

That's where the cook-off comes in. Sly says all the money they raise will benefit the Bobby Norris Round-up for Autism and Autistic Treatment Centers of Texas to help with services, treatments and research.

The brisket judging begins at 6:00 p.m. Then the bar will be auctioning off all the competing briskets to the highest bidder.