Biggest competitions of the year?

[ohgod123]

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!

[big brother smoke]

You have one of them happening next weekend close enough to you. http://www.kingofthesmoker.com/

[Fat Freddy]

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.

[Hawg Father of Seoul]

Houston livestock rodeo should hit any list.

[hedge]

You could be a part of the biggest contest that the IIBS offers.

http://www.quetopiabbq.com/FireOnIce.php

[bbq.tom]

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.

[CBQ]

Originally Posted by Fat Freddy

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.

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]

actually we discussed the criteria when you asked to cook in it. ITs a pretty clear list...fba ibca mbm kcbs legends pnwba... past jack winners, sams winners, open winners invitational winners...its just 24 teams. Really hard to pick 24 trust me.

[CBQ]

Originally Posted by Big Poppa

actually we discussed the criteria when you asked to cook in it.

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.

[Big Poppa]

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.

[TooSaucedToPork]

Originally Posted by bbq.tom

211 = MIM - Memphis In May (includes teams entered in the 3 main meat categories)

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.

[Meat Man]

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.

[bruno994]

San Antonio Rodeo BBQ Cook Off sanctioned by TGCBCA had 233 teams this past September.

[bbq.tom]

Originally Posted by bruno994

San Antonio Rodeo BBQ Cook Off sanctioned by TGCBCA had 233 teams this past September.

And they had 302 teams last January!

[bbq.tom]

Originally Posted by TooSaucedToPork

Mim had 266 teams last year

123 rib
63 shoulder
39 whole hog
41 patio

Actually, according to MIM:

121 rib
56 shoulder
34 whole hog
for a subtotal of the three main meats of 211 as indicated in my previous post.
add 38 patio = 249
according to MIM.