Alice Laussade in 2016. Photo by Danny Fulgencio

Meat Fight is perhaps the nation’s largest fundraiser for MS research and cures. Brainchild of Lake Highlands residents Alice and Mike Laussade, who conjured the concept during a “brisket high,” it is certainly No. 1 in the fun department.

In its first years, locally renowned chefs, including Neighborhood Services Jeff Bekavac and Jose’s Anastacia Quinones and TV star Nick Offerman joined the [meat] fight, and the backyard-BBQ-grown-Texas-sized shindig has become bigger and bizarre-er with each passing annum.

But the hot-ticket, insider-y countrified fete in 2021 is all online auction. Though that is a bummer, it also is good news for for anyone who maintains a level of engagement in philanthropic activity despite developing acute social anxiety of late.

In the past, only in-person attendees have had access to Meat Fight’s one-of-a-kind fundraising auction, but this year, organizers say, they’re “opening it up to the entire worldwide web.”

The Best Dang Online Auction of 2021 features items ranging from “skip-the-lines at Texas barbecue joints to putt-putt golf with Donovan Lewis to fancy dinners prepared in your own home by badass local chefs,” according to a Meat Fight presser.

“It’s going to be ridiculous. It’s going to be epic. And it’s all benefiting people living with MS.”

(The whole thing started after Alice’s brother was diagnosed.)

But wait, there’s more.

“We’ve got dinners at your home prepared by Chefs Matt McCallister, Jeff Bekavac, Omar Flores, and more. We’ve got a Ladies of Meat Fight dinner featuring Chefs Janice Provost, AQ Pittman, Danyele McPherson, Jeana Johnson, Sandra Bussey, and Tida Pichakron. We’ve even got a smoked turkey and cookies delivered to your door by Meat Fight royalty: Meat Santa and Mrs. Meat Claus.”

And even more.

Bidding begins Friday, Nov. 12 and runs until Saturday, Nov. 13 at 9 p.m. CST.

As they say, “Merry Meatmas, everybody. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”