Plant City Pig Jam
2023-11-17 – 2023-11-18 · Plant City, FL · 📍 1500 S. Park Road · State championship
Reps: CAROLYN WELLS, MIKE GARRETSON · Prize money: $17,700.00
Grand Champion: Smokin' Ain't EZ (695.3944) · 25 teams
Reserve Champion: 🥈 Rum Runners
Entries
25
8 judged meats
Top score
695.3944
Winning margin
6.2740
GC over RC
Field average
662.45
median 660.43
Tightest race
Pork
1.7488 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
673.6460
10th place overall
Field spread
72.1944
winner to last place
Prize money
$17,700.00
on the line
Double threats
12
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 70%
beats 30% of 1951 Master Series wins in the data
Traveled in
13%
of the 47 teams with a home region came from outside FL
Came back for more
52%
25 of 48 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Moderate
ρ = -0.49 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1505
avg power rating going in · stronger than 8% of contests
Storylines
🧹 A double category winner
SMOKIN' AIN'T EZ won Chicken, Pork — a double, and took the Grand Championship on top of it.
📸 Photo finishes
Master Series — Chicken places 8–9: Drunkin Brothers and Butts on the Barbie tied on 167.3944 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Pork Ribs places 4–5: BAD AZZ MULE BBQ and Rum Runners tied on 175.4172 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Pork places 5–6: Matty B's BBQ and HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS tied on 173.1084 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
🛡️ Back to defend
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: SWAMP BOYS (won 2016), Fantasy Q (won 2022).
🃏 An upset on the books
Smokin' Ain't EZ came in rated below the field's top team, BAD AZZ MULE BBQ, and took the Grand Championship anyway — roughly a 30-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings.
Score curves (score by finishing position — steep cliffs mean a spread field, flat lines a knife fight)
Category showdown (top / average / median score per meat)
Score distribution
Biggest rating movers (power-rating points won and lost at this contest)
Did form hold? (pre-contest rating vs overall finish — ratings called it if the dots climb to the right)
Where the field came from (home regions on file)
This contest over the years full contest page →
| Date | Where | Venue | Teams | High score | Grand Champion | Reserve Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-11-22 | Plant City, FL | 53 | 678.7772 | WARREN COUNTY PORK CHOPPERS | CHIX, SWINE & BOVINE BBQ | |
| 2014-11-21 | Plant City, FL 33563 | 39 | 681.1884 | HOT WACHULA'S | CHIX, SWINE & BOVINE BBQ | |
| 2016-11-18 | 1500 South Park Rd | 38 | 696.5028 | SWAMP BOYS | UNCLE TOAD'S COMPETITION BBQ | |
| 2019-11-22 | Plant City, FL | 1500 S Park RD | 39 | 701.6912 | Pig-Chicka-Cow-Cow | SWAMP BOYS |
| 2021-11-19 | Plant City, FL | Plant City, FL 33565 | 37 | 695.9888 | King's BBQ | CONTINENTAL BARBEQUE CO. |
| 2022-11-18 | Plant City, FL | 1500 S. Park Road | 25 | 695.3716 | Fantasy Q | KEEPIN IT SMOKIN BBQ |
| 2023-11-17 ← this one | Plant City, FL | 1500 S. Park Road | 25 | 695.3944 | Smokin' Ain't EZ | Rum Runners |
| 2024-11-22 | Plant City, FL | 1500 S. Park Road | 26 | 703.9428 | Kings BBQ Team | Shiggin aint easy |
| 2025-11-21 | Plant City, FL | 1500 S. Park Road | 31 | 713.1316 | TILLMAN'S BBQ | Kings BBQ Team |
| 2026-11-20 | Plant City, FL | — | — | — | — | — |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Series — Chicken | 180.0000 | 169.6800 | 165.1544 |
| Master Series — Pork Ribs | 180.0000 | 175.4172 | 169.6800 |
| Master Series — Pork | 174.8572 | 173.1084 | 170.2744 |
| Master Series — Brisket | 173.1316 | 170.3200 | 166.8228 |
| Backyard Series — Chicken | 170.8228 | 167.3944 | 162.8916 |
| Backyard Series — Pork Ribs | 176.5600 | 166.2628 | 163.9428 |
| Ancillary — Pork | 170.8228 | 162.2516 | 159.3944 |
| Ancillary — Brisket | 168.5256 | 162.2284 | 157.1084 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
25 entries · top 695.3944 · median 660.4348
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SMOKIN' AIN'T EZ | |
| 2 | Rum Runners | |
| 3 | TILLMAN'S BBQ | |
| 4 | SWEET SMOKE Q FLORIDA | |
| 5 | Mad Dog BBQ | |
| 6 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS | |
| 7 | KEEPIN IT SMOKIN BBQ | |
| 8 | BAD AZZ MULE BBQ | |
| 9 | Matty B's BBQ | |
| 10 | One Bite BBQ | |
| 11 | Cold Beer BBQ | |
| 12 | K & E's Little Smokers | |
| 13 | Butts on the Barbie | |
| 14 | Fantasy Q | |
| 15 | BBQmyway | |
| 16 | Slappin'Butt BBQ | |
| 17 | SWAMP BOYS | |
| 18 | Bailout BBQ | |
| 19 | SMOKIN ACES BBQ - FL | |
| 20 | Drunkin Brothers | |
| 21 | SMOKIN' BEACH BarbeQue | |
| 22 | Poppell Insurance BBQ Team | |
| 23 | Tarheel Cookers | |
| 24 | Pig In or Pig Out | |
| 25 | Porkganic BBQ |
Chicken
25 entries · top 180.0000 · median 165.0972 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SMOKIN' AIN'T EZ | |
| 2 | Matty B's BBQ | |
| 3 | Rum Runners | |
| 4 | One Bite BBQ | |
| 5 | Cold Beer BBQ | |
| 6 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS | |
| 7 | SWEET SMOKE Q FLORIDA | |
| 8 | Drunkin Brothers | |
| 9 | Butts on the Barbie | |
| 10 | Mad Dog BBQ | |
| 11 | Slappin'Butt BBQ | |
| 12 | K & E's Little Smokers | |
| 13 | KEEPIN IT SMOKIN BBQ | |
| 14 | Poppell Insurance BBQ Team | |
| 15 | SWAMP BOYS | |
| 16 | TILLMAN'S BBQ | |
| 17 | BAD AZZ MULE BBQ | |
| 18 | SMOKIN' BEACH BarbeQue | |
| 19 | Pig In or Pig Out | |
| 20 | Tarheel Cookers | |
| 21 | Porkganic BBQ | |
| 22 | SMOKIN ACES BBQ - FL | |
| 23 | BBQmyway | |
| 24 | Fantasy Q | |
| 25 | Bailout BBQ |
Pork Ribs
25 entries · top 180.0000 · median 166.2632 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TILLMAN'S BBQ | |
| 2 | SWEET SMOKE Q FLORIDA | |
| 3 | Mad Dog BBQ | |
| 4 | BAD AZZ MULE BBQ | |
| 5 | Rum Runners | |
| 6 | SMOKIN' AIN'T EZ | |
| 7 | Fantasy Q | |
| 8 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS | |
| 9 | BBQmyway | |
| 10 | KEEPIN IT SMOKIN BBQ | |
| 11 | One Bite BBQ | |
| 12 | Drunkin Brothers | |
| 13 | Butts on the Barbie | |
| 14 | Matty B's BBQ | |
| 15 | K & E's Little Smokers | |
| 16 | Cold Beer BBQ | |
| 17 | Bailout BBQ | |
| 18 | Poppell Insurance BBQ Team | |
| 19 | SMOKIN ACES BBQ - FL | |
| 20 | SWAMP BOYS | |
| 21 | Tarheel Cookers | |
| 22 | SMOKIN' BEACH BarbeQue | |
| 23 | Pig In or Pig Out | |
| 24 | Porkganic BBQ | |
| 25 | Slappin'Butt BBQ |
Pork
25 entries · top 174.8572 · median 169.6684
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SMOKIN' AIN'T EZ | |
| 2 | Rum Runners | |
| 3 | K & E's Little Smokers | |
| 4 | Bailout BBQ | |
| 5 | Matty B's BBQ | |
| 6 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS | |
| 7 | TILLMAN'S BBQ | |
| 8 | BAD AZZ MULE BBQ | |
| 9 | Tarheel Cookers | |
| 10 | KEEPIN IT SMOKIN BBQ | |
| 11 | Cold Beer BBQ | |
| 12 | One Bite BBQ | |
| 13 | SMOKIN' BEACH BarbeQue | |
| 14 | Mad Dog BBQ | |
| 15 | Slappin'Butt BBQ | |
| 16 | SWEET SMOKE Q FLORIDA | |
| 17 | SWAMP BOYS | |
| 18 | SMOKIN ACES BBQ - FL | |
| 19 | Butts on the Barbie | |
| 20 | BBQmyway | |
| 21 | Fantasy Q | |
| 22 | Drunkin Brothers | |
| 23 | Porkganic BBQ | |
| 24 | Pig In or Pig Out | |
| 25 | Poppell Insurance BBQ Team |
Brisket
25 entries · top 173.1316 · median 163.9660
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SWEET SMOKE Q FLORIDA | |
| 2 | Mad Dog BBQ | |
| 3 | KEEPIN IT SMOKIN BBQ | |
| 4 | TILLMAN'S BBQ | |
| 5 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS | |
| 6 | Cold Beer BBQ | |
| 7 | BAD AZZ MULE BBQ | |
| 8 | Fantasy Q | |
| 9 | Rum Runners | |
| 10 | SMOKIN' AIN'T EZ | |
| 11 | Slappin'Butt BBQ | |
| 12 | One Bite BBQ | |
| 13 | Poppell Insurance BBQ Team | |
| 14 | BBQmyway | |
| 15 | SMOKIN ACES BBQ - FL | |
| 16 | Butts on the Barbie | |
| 17 | Pig In or Pig Out | |
| 18 | Matty B's BBQ | |
| 19 | SWAMP BOYS | |
| 20 | K & E's Little Smokers | |
| 21 | SMOKIN' BEACH BarbeQue | |
| 22 | Bailout BBQ | |
| 23 | Porkganic BBQ | |
| 24 | Drunkin Brothers | |
| 25 | Tarheel Cookers |
Backyard Series
Overall
22 entries · top 347.3828 · median 321.9314
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ramblin Fork BBQ Co | |
| 2 | VETERAN PORK PULLERS | |
| 3 | Nuts & Butts | |
| 4 | BIG RED BBQ | |
| 5 | Pig Timers | |
| 6 | Grease Monkey BBQ | |
| 7 | Uncle G's BBQ | |
| 8 | Belly Bustin Bistro | |
| 9 | Brisket and Burrbon | |
| 10 | Pipkin Creek BBQ | |
| 11 | Willie's Smokehouse | |
| 12 | 2 Live Que | |
| 13 | JP BBQ and Catering | |
| 14 | Cool Guys with Hot Grills | |
| 15 | Blue Smoke BBQ | |
| 16 | Evans Family Ranch | |
| 17 | Grande Oaks BBQ | |
| 18 | Love Meat Tender | |
| 19 | K-Dubs BBQ | |
| 20 | Crackalacken | |
| 21 | KeiserQ | |
| 22 | Dirt Road Smokers |
Chicken
22 entries · top 170.8228 · median 161.9772
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VETERAN PORK PULLERS | |
| 2 | Ramblin Fork BBQ Co | |
| 3 | Belly Bustin Bistro | |
| 4 | Pig Timers | |
| 5 | Nuts & Butts | |
| 6 | Grease Monkey BBQ | |
| 7 | Pipkin Creek BBQ | |
| 8 | Brisket and Burrbon | |
| 9 | Grande Oaks BBQ | |
| 10 | Crackalacken | |
| 11 | BIG RED BBQ | |
| 12 | Uncle G's BBQ | |
| 13 | JP BBQ and Catering | |
| 14 | 2 Live Que | |
| 15 | Willie's Smokehouse | |
| 16 | Love Meat Tender | |
| 17 | Evans Family Ranch | |
| 18 | K-Dubs BBQ | |
| 19 | KeiserQ | |
| 20 | Cool Guys with Hot Grills | |
| 21 | Blue Smoke BBQ | |
| 22 | Dirt Road Smokers |
Pork Ribs
22 entries · top 176.5600 · median 160.5258
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ramblin Fork BBQ Co | |
| 2 | BIG RED BBQ | |
| 3 | Nuts & Butts | |
| 4 | Blue Smoke BBQ | |
| 5 | VETERAN PORK PULLERS | |
| 6 | Cool Guys with Hot Grills | |
| 7 | Uncle G's BBQ | |
| 8 | Pig Timers | |
| 9 | Grease Monkey BBQ | |
| 10 | Willie's Smokehouse | |
| 11 | Brisket and Burrbon | |
| 12 | Pipkin Creek BBQ | |
| 13 | 2 Live Que | |
| 14 | Evans Family Ranch | |
| 15 | JP BBQ and Catering | |
| 16 | Belly Bustin Bistro | |
| 17 | Love Meat Tender | |
| 18 | K-Dubs BBQ | |
| 19 | Grande Oaks BBQ | |
| 20 | KeiserQ | |
| 21 | Crackalacken | |
| 22 | Dirt Road Smokers |
Ancillary
Pork
21 entries · top 170.8228 · median 158.2400
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ramblin Fork BBQ Co | |
| 2 | Belly Bustin Bistro | |
| 3 | Willie's Smokehouse | |
| 4 | Pig Timers | |
| 5 | Grease Monkey BBQ | |
| 6 | BIG RED BBQ | |
| 7 | Uncle G's BBQ | |
| 8 | K-Dubs BBQ | |
| 9 | Brisket and Burrbon | |
| 10 | Grande Oaks BBQ | |
| 11 | Nuts & Butts | |
| 12 | Dirt Road Smokers | |
| 13 | VETERAN PORK PULLERS | |
| 14 | Cool Guys with Hot Grills | |
| 15 | Evans Family Ranch | |
| 16 | Pipkin Creek BBQ | |
| 17 | JP BBQ and Catering | |
| 18 | Blue Smoke BBQ | |
| 19 | KeiserQ | |
| 20 | Love Meat Tender | |
| 21 | Crackalacken |
Brisket
22 entries · top 168.5256 · median 151.4056
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | K-Dubs BBQ | |
| 2 | Willie's Smokehouse | |
| 3 | Ramblin Fork BBQ Co | |
| 4 | Dirt Road Smokers | |
| 5 | Pig Timers | |
| 6 | KeiserQ | |
| 7 | Grease Monkey BBQ | |
| 8 | 2 Live Que | |
| 9 | VETERAN PORK PULLERS | |
| 10 | JP BBQ and Catering | |
| 11 | Love Meat Tender | |
| 12 | Uncle G's BBQ | |
| 13 | Brisket and Burrbon | |
| 14 | Belly Bustin Bistro | |
| 15 | Nuts & Butts | |
| 16 | BIG RED BBQ | |
| 17 | Grande Oaks BBQ | |
| 18 | Cool Guys with Hot Grills | |
| 19 | Pipkin Creek BBQ | |
| 20 | Blue Smoke BBQ | |
| 21 | Evans Family Ranch | |
| 22 | Crackalacken |