BBQ And Grilling Competitions
Competition runs strong in hominids. No doubt macho cavemen began challenging each other to cookoffs soon after the first bonfire. Today, barbecue cookoffs are one of the nation’s fastest growing sports. With scores of new BBQ competitions popping up every year, the current count is probably close to 1,000.
The first barbecue competition was the Kaiser Foil Cookoff conducted in 1959 in Hawaii, just a few months after Hawaii became a state. “For Men Only” contestants sent in their main dish recipes and 25 finalists were flown with their wives (assuming they were all married) to the Hawaiian Village Hotel on Waikiki for the cookoff.
First prize was the title “Grand National Cookout Champion” and $10,000 cash. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th prizes were a Jeep Station Wagon! The entry form had “Bar-B-Tricks” that emphasized wrapping things in foil before putting them on the barbecue. It seems that the crutch has a long history.
The template for modern barbecue competitions comes from chili cookoffs, the first of which, like so many other food firsts, was held at the State Fair of Texas in 1952 in Dallas. The World Championship Cow Country BBQ Cookout, held June 3, 1972 in Uvalde, TX at an event called Arama Days was probably patterned after the many chili cookoffs around the state.
Today, all manner of BBQ contests take place throughout the year around the country. And if you’re entering a BBQ competition for the 1st or 50th time, we’ve got everything you need, including a competition BBQ checklist, award winning recipes for things like competition pork butt and chicken, plus loads of pro tips and tricks. Maybe you’re trying your hand a local cookoff, or maybe you’re joining thousands of others in one of the country’s top 3 BBQ competitions, the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, or the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue. Either way, we got you covered.
Never Before Revealed, The Award Winning BBQ Competition Chicken Recipe, Iowa’s Smokey D’s Style
Discover how to create perfect award-winning competition BBQ chicken with this tested recipe from Darren Warth of Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ. Arguably the hottest team on the barbecue cooking circuit, Iowa's Smokey D's guide you through the various steps involved in creating amazing 1st place worthy grilled chicken thighs!
Championship Competition Brisket Recipe
Create award winning smoked brisket thanks to this recipe from top competition BBQ team Travis Clark of Clark Crew BBQ. Travis provides a step-by-step guide to replicating his first place competition brisket recipe including selecting the best brisket, trimming the brisket, seasoning, injecting, smoking, and slicing.
BBQ Ribs For Competition Recipe and Award Winning Tricks
Perfect your competition ribs with these simple tips and a competition rib recipe. Trimmed ribs are seasoned with a flavorful BBQ dry rub before being smoked for several hours. Wrapping the ribs with butter and other ingredients ensure that they are moist, tender, and packed full of flavor for the competition judges.
The Best Competition Chicken Ever, Tips from Top Competitors
If you're planning on entering a BBQ contest then this guide to smoking perfect award winning chicken is a must read. Ask competitors which category keeps them staring at the ceiling at night, and most will answer "chicken." From prep to flavor profiles, here is what's competition teams are doing with chicken.
Competition BBQ Checklist, Everything You’ll Need For A BBQ Contest
This comprehensive competition BBQ checklist is a must for anyone who is considering entering their first contest. This list contains everything you might need for cooking overnight at a contest so that you are well prepared for anything that might arise -- from food to kitchen gear to wash stations and so much more.
Barbecue, Grilling, And Judging Classes
Barbecue and judging classes are a great way to learn from the masters. There are many across the nation.
Don’t Try To Cook The Way They Cook In BBQ Competitions At Home!
Cooking contests on TV are not a good way to learn about how to cook barbecue. Here's why.
The History Of Barbecue Competitions
Barbecue competitions have become big business with prizes ranging up to $100,000 and some getting national television coverage. Here is the fascinating story of how these contests started in Hawaii "For Men Only," and how they became a popular sport with more than 500 annual events.
Adventures Of An American Barbecue Judge
If you're a BBQ team interested in finding ways to better your scores, judging contests is a great way to see the other side of the turn-in table. I had the chance to judge four of the country's most prestigious contests and here is a breakdown of my experiences testing some of the best and worst competition BBQ.
An Introduction To The Art Of Steak Cookoff Competitions
If you’re like me, you likely fancy yourself quite the steak griller. But the true test of one’s talent is entering one of the countless steak cooking contests held each year. If you've ever considered competing in a steak cookoff, here's a first person account of what you can expect to encounter from start to finish.
Smithfield Unveils the Smokin’ With Smithfield National Barbecue Championship
Smithfield recently unveiled their new program, the Smokin’ With Smithfield National Barbecue Championship, a competition will show BBQ teams how they rank amongst other teams across the country while also having a chance to win up to $50,000 cash and other great prizes.
Behind the scenes with a real iron chef – Part 1
Come behind the scenes of high stakes KCBS barbecue competition with Candy Weaver and see what it's like to be a real iron chef, Part 1.
Behind the scenes with a real iron chef – Part 2
Come behind the scenes of high stakes KCBS barbecue competition with Candy Weaver and see what it's like to be a real iron chef, Part 2.
The Texas Crutch: Wrap in Foil to Tenderize and Speed Cooking
Here's a useful technique for tenderizing, moisturizing, and speeding cooking by wrapping meat in aluminum foil for an hour or two. The Texas crutch beats the stall, in which meat stops cooking during barbecuing, sometimes for hours. This simple trick works for brisket, pork shoulder and ribs on any smoker or grill.Published On: 6/26/2019 Last Modified: 4/13/2021
The Pit Barrel Cooker May Be Too Easy
The PBC has a rabid cult following for good reason. It is absolutely positively without a doubt the best bargain on a smoker in the world. Period. This baby will cook circles around the cheap offset sideways barrel smokers because temperature control is so much easier.
Click here to read our detailed review and the raves from people who own them
Bring The Heat With Broil King Signet’s Dual Tube Burners
The Broil King Signet 320 is a modestly priced, 3-burner gas grill that packs a lot of value and power under the hood. Broil King’s proprietary, dual-tube burners get hot fast and are able to achieve high, searing temps that rival most comparatively priced gas grills. The quality cast aluminum housing carries a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Click here to read our complete review
Heat Resistant Gloves With Extra Long Sleeves Hold The Hot Stuff
If you’re using oven mitts at the grill, it’s time to trade up. Say hello to these suede welder’s gloves. They’re heat resistant enough to handle hot grill grates, and flexible enough to handle tongs. The extra long sleeves even let you reach deep into the firebox to move hot logs without getting burned. Our Fave.
Click here to read our detailed review
Click here to order from Amazon
Finally, A Great Portable Pellet Smoker
Green Mountain’s portable Davy Crockett Pellet Smoker is one mean tailgating and picnic machine. But it’s also gaining popularity with people who want to add a small, set it and forget it pellet smoker to their backyard arsenal. And with their WiFi capabilities you can control and monitor Davy Crocket from your smart phone or laptop.
Click here to read our detailed review and to order
Compact Powerful Sear Machine For Your Next Tailgater
Char-Broil’s Grill2Go x200 is a super-portable, fun little sizzler made of heavy, rust-proof cast aluminum. The lid snaps shut. Grab the handle and you’re off to the party! Char-Broil’s TRU-Infrared design produces searing heat while reducing fuel consumption. A 16 ounce LP gas canister is enough to keep you flipping burgers for hours.
Click here to read our detailed review and to order
Griddle And Deep Fryer In One
The flat top does the burgers and the fryer does the fries. Use the griddle for bacon, eggs, and home fries. Or pancakes, fajitas, grilled cheese, you name it. Why stink up the house deep frying and spatter all over? Do your fried chicken and calamari outside. Blackstone’s Rangetop Combo With Deep Fryer does it all!
Click here to read our detailed review and to order
Surely you know somebody who loves outdoor cooking who deserves a gift for the holidays, birthday, anniversary, or just for being wonderful. There he is, right in the mirror! Here are our selections of best ideas, all Platinum or Gold Medalists, listed by price.
Click here to see our list of Gold Medal Gifts
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