Biggest competitions of the year?

O

ohgod123

Guest
Hey guys,
Just wondering if there's a list posted anywhere of the biggest competitions of the year if you have any recommendations for 'must-attend' competitions. Would love to attend!
 
Just wondering what you mean by the biggest? Do you mean by number of teams, public attendance, quality of teams, how famous the contest is, sanctioning body etc?

Hard to argue with the Royal,Jack, King of Smokers, Sams finals, Memphis in May and many many others depending on what criteria but I think the ones i just named would be a purty good start.
 
I couldn't find a "list", so why not create one for 2013!

Based on number of teams competing (100 or more):

535 = KCBS - American Royal Open, KC, MO
>300 = Houston Livestock Rodeo, Houston, TX
211 = MIM - Memphis In May (includes teams entered in the 3 main meat categories)
183 = KCBS - Great Lenexa BBQ Battle, Lenexa, KS
174 = KCBS - American Royal Invitational, KC, MO
114 = KCBS - Shawnee Great Grillers State Champ., Shawnee, KS
106 = KCBS - Pork in the Park BBQ Fest., Salisbury, MD
>100 = MBN - Big Pig Jig, Vienna, GA
100 = KCBS - Don't Be Cruel BBQ Duel, Tupelo, MS

(The Jack had 97 teams)

Of course, this is just a list based on number of cook teams and NOT spectators or prize money or any other criteria.
 
Fat Freddy said:
Just wondering what you mean by the biggest? Do you mean by number of teams, public attendance, quality of teams, how famous the contest is, sanctioning body etc?

Hard to argue with the Royal,Jack, King of Smokers, Sams finals, Memphis in May and many many others depending on what criteria but I think the ones i just named would be a purty good start.
Click to expand...

Most of these are invitationals.

American Royal is by far the largest, based on number of teams. There are two contests held on the same week. The American Royal Open anyone can enter. The American Royal Invitational you can enter if you are a grand champion from a qualified event.

The Jack may be the most prestigious, you have to be a grand champion to get invited, and be drawn as a state winner. Winning a major event like Memphis in May, Houston Livestock, or American Royal will also get you in.

King of Smoke is invite only, based on whatever criteria Big Poppa deems required.

Sam's finals is a bracket type event. You have to win the top 6 in a local event, then the top 10 in a regional event to compete here.

Memphis in May and Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo are large open contests.
 
Big Poppa said:
actually we discussed the criteria when you asked to cook in it.
Click to expand...

Well, I never asked, one of my teammates did. He didn't share much with me about that discussion, so my answer was based on what I know. Not much, but that hasn't stopped me from posting yet. :becky:
 
Its fine I got an private message requesting an invitation and in person one at Laughlin....ITs really hard to make everyone happy...but I am very happy with the field and the progress of king of the smoker going into the second year.
 
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bbq.tom said:
211 = MIM - Memphis In May (includes teams entered in the 3 main meat categories)
Click to expand...

Mim had 266 teams last year

123 rib
63 shoulder
39 whole hog
41 patio

Biggest contests are different to each person...but the undeniable big 4 are The American Royal, The Jack, Memphis in May, and The Houston Rodeo.

Mim has over $110,000 in prize money and draws well over 100,000 bbq fans.

If you want to make a pilgrimage to MIM let us know, we let Brethren join the
team.
 
Got to agree with Big Brother Smoke, if you want to see a comp, go to the KOS. It's not what you would ever experience at any other competition, and well worth the price of admission. You would have to travel a long way to see the top BBQ teams in the nation gathered in one place. The way it's set up you'll have a front row seat to some incredibly talented cooks, and the atmosphere the BP creates for the teams really encourages interaction with the public. The breakout sessions that they present are fantastic.
 
San Antonio Rodeo BBQ Cook Off sanctioned by TGCBCA had 233 teams this past September.
 
Make the day trip from the Westside to La Quinta and see King of the Smoker. I travel from Santa Clarita to go. The list of teams that are going to be there is something else. The 3 hours of the teams giving talks and tips after turn ins is worth the trip and they start 10 minutes after the area is open to the public. Have some BBQ dinner from Operation BBQ Relief then, Big Poppa has musical entertainment, that then leads into the awards. There is something to do the entire 5 hours of the event. Trust me there is nothing like it anywhere close to us. The cost of the ticket ALL goes to the Casey Lee Foundation for pediatric Kidney Disease and all food vendor profit benefits Operation BBQ Relief. I will add that you pass the Cabazon shopping outlets on the drive there. I am not sure if that serves as a warning or benefit.
 
TooSaucedToPork said:
Wacky...

The map and team list brochure from last years contest has the numbers I listed...oh well
Click to expand...

Could be that some teams signed up and were there, but didn't turn in their entry. Wouldn't be the first time teams dropped out the day of competition. But that is a large number dropping out. Hmmmm...
 
The biggest are not necessarily the best for visiting...check out King Of The Smoker...it is all about the public! See ya there!
 
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Reactions: Rub
bbq.tom said:
I couldn't find a "list", so why not create one for 2013!

Based on number of teams competing (100 or more):

535 = KCBS - American Royal Open, KC, MO
>300 = Houston Livestock Rodeo, Houston, TX
211 = MIM - Memphis In May (includes teams entered in the 3 main meat categories)
183 = KCBS - Great Lenexa BBQ Battle, Lenexa, KS
174 = KCBS - American Royal Invitational, KC, MO
114 = KCBS - Shawnee Great Grillers State Champ., Shawnee, KS
106 = KCBS - Pork in the Park BBQ Fest., Salisbury, MD
>100 = MBN - Big Pig Jig, Vienna, GA
100 = KCBS - Don't Be Cruel BBQ Duel, Tupelo, MS

(The Jack had 97 teams)

Of course, this is just a list based on number of cook teams and NOT spectators or prize money or any other criteria.
Click to expand...

The National Championship BBQ Cookoff in Meridian, TX had 184 teams in 2013, which would place it 4th on the list above. It is an Invitational event.
 
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