In Brentwood, the Super Bowl is more than a football game; it’s an experience you can smell, hear and taste. While the New England Patriots prepare to battle the New York Giants for football supremacy, the rich aromas of spices and secret sauces paired with the sound of meat sizzling to perfection on the grill signify the start of a far more rewarding competition: the 11th annual Brentwood PAL BBQ King Cook-off.

Barbecue teams from as far as San Jose, Livermore and Pacifica will make the trip to challenge East County’s best grill masters. This year more than 20 participants have signed up to compete in the event, which raises funds for PAL, the Brentwood Police Activities League, and the East Contra Costa Historical Society.

Oakley’s Kris McCullough is slated to go for his third consecutive BBQ King title. He claims to be a modest backyard griller, but McCullough has been making judges’ mouths water with his ribs and tri-tip, and smoking the competition. Will he pull off the hat trick? Get over to Harvest Park Bowl, 5000 Balfour Road, and see for yourself.

Between the hours of 1 and 3 p.m., attendees are welcome to sample the taste-bud-bursting barbecue. Advance tickets are available now at Harvest Park Bowl, Brentwood Fine Meats (3877 Walnut Blvd.) and the Brentwood Press (248 Oak St.) for $20. Tickets purchased at the event cost $30. Children under the age of 12 eat for $15, but why not make it a family affair? The Family Pass, which includes two adult meals and up to three kid’s meals, runs for $60.

Tom Sharp of Discovery Bay’s Big Pig BBQ team, which took sixth overall last year (snagging first place in the chili competition), said the food offered up at the cookoff is some of the best around.

“You will not get barbecue this good in a restaurant,” Sharp wrote on his team’s website, www.tomsbbqrub.com. “So come on down this Super Bowl Sunday and enjoy some of the best barbecue you’ll ever get, enjoy yourself at the bowling alley, and if you want to see the Super Bowl, there are enough TV screens broadcasting the game so you won’t miss the game or the commercials.”

If you’ve already got your own Super Bowl celebration planned, fear not. You can still enjoy a variety of barbecue goodies. Brentwood Fine Meats is offering Super Bowl packages: two-pound tri tips for $24; six chicken breasts for $12; and a rack of ribs for $20. Place your order now by calling Brentwood Fine Meats at 925-513-0595.

Once the barbecuing is over, there’s still plenty of fun to be had. Harvest Park Bowl will feature a special Super Bowl bowling package: games will cost only $2; shoe rental will be free. Harvest Park’s post-barbecue bash also features games for the kids, raffles and an appearance by East County icon and Oakland Raiders superfan Gorilla Rilla, who’ll get the crowd pumped to watch the big game.

For more information about the PAL BBQ King Cook-off, call Brentwood Fine Meats at 925-513-0595.