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Competition BBQ, The Ultimate Guide To Becoming A Champion (4 Recipes, 11 Articles)
Published On: 6/26/2019 Last Modified: 6/16/2025
Here’s everything you need in order to be successful at your first or next barbecue cooking contest, including recipes, gear checklist, judging tips, and more.
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 at 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.
Barbecue Competitions Are For The Real Iron Chefs
About barbecue competitions, barbecue sanctioning bodies, and links to barbecue associations and contests.
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.
Why You Shouldn’t Cook The Way They Do In BBQ Competitions
Cooking contests on TV are not a good way to learn about how to cook barbecue. Click here to find out why.
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.
Tuffy Stone’s World Championship Competition Pork Butt Recipe
Whether you are new to the competition BBQ game or are a seasoned pro, this recipe for competition pork butt from top pitmaster Tuffy Stone is certain to better your results. This award winning pork butt is one of the many mouthwatering recipes in Tuffy's first cookbook, Cool Smoke: The Art of Great Barbecue.
Darren Warth’s Award Winning Competition Chicken Recipe
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!
The Only Award-Winning Competition Brisket Recipe You Need
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.
Competition Ribs Recipe and Award Winning Tricks
Perfect your competition ribs with these simple tips and a competition recipe for ribs that are moist, tender, and packed full of flavor.
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.
The Texas Crutch: Wrap In Foil Or Butcher Paper 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 Definitive Checklist For BBQ And Grilling Competitors
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.
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.
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