A new contest record
699.9772
highest overall ever cooked here
699.9772 is the highest overall score this contest has ever produced — past the 698.8000 Totally Sauced set in 2019.
- old record 698.8000
- set 2019 by Totally Sauced
Minnesota in May 2024
May 10–11, 2024 · St. Peter, MN · 📍 400 Union St. · State championship
Reps: Dave Rogers, Laurie Tweten, Peg Rogers · Prize money: $11,500
HOT DADDY'S BBQ won Grand Champion at the Minnesota in May on May 10, 2024 in St. Peter, MN at 400 Union St., scoring 699.9772 in a field of 58 teams. WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ took Reserve Grand Champion with 696.5600. Category winners: Chicken — Dirty Little Pigs BBQ (179.4400); Pork Ribs — UGLY BABY BBQ (180.0000); Pork — The Drunken Sailor (178.8572); Brisket — WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ (180.0000). The Backyard Series standings were won by Sensuous BBQ with 350.2628. This is the 11th of 16 editions of this contest on record; the 2023 edition was won by Shiggin & Grinnin; the next was held in 2024.
The contest at a glance (read off the scored boards)
How the field scored
Overall totals, every team on the board — tall stacks are where the pack sat.
641.02
median 681.61
699.98 🏆
How the meats cooked
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
- Master Series — Chicken 179.44
- Master Series — Pork Ribs 180 🔥
- Master Series — Pork 178.86
- Master Series — Brisket 180 🔥
- Backyard Series — Chicken 178.88
- Backyard Series — Pork Ribs 177.14
- Ancillary — Pork 175.41
138.81
180
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2013 to 2026 — this edition picked out.
Entries
58
7 judged meats · 3 ancillary
Top score
699.9772
Winning margin
3.4172
GC over RC
Field average
679.04
641.02699.98
median 681.61 · last place to winner
Tightest race
Pork
1.7144 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
690.7656
641.02699.98
10th place overall
Field spread
58.9600
winner to last place
Prize money
$11,500
on the line
Double threats
3
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 33%
beats 67% of 4711 Master Series wins in the data
Form held
Moderate
ρ = -0.54 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,575
avg power rating going in · stronger than 59% of contests
Storylines (9 found in this contest's numbers)
Everything below is read straight out of the results — the number on each card is the one that made it a story.
An upset on the books
32-in-100
shot on pre-contest ratings
The ratings favoured the top seed the other 68 times in 100
HOT DADDY'S BBQ came in rated below the field's top team, IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ, and took the Grand Championship anyway — roughly a 32-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings.
- champion 1788
- top seed 1916
Won without a category win
2 of 4
meats called to the stage
HOT DADDY'S BBQ won the Grand Championship without winning a single meat — 2 calls from 4 boards, best of them 2nd. Consistency beat fireworks.
- Chicken 3rd
- Pork Ribs 2nd
- Pork 30th
- Brisket 13th
A dynasty in the making
2×
wins at this contest
2 of 16 tracked editions
SHIGGIN & GRINNIN has won this contest 2 times across its 16 tracked editions.
- 2013
- 2023
Photo finishes
Tie
closest of 24 calls decided inside half a point
Master Series — Chicken places 6–7: Matty Macks and OWENS BBQ tied on 176.0000 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Chicken places 7–8: OWENS BBQ and Ash Kickin' BBQ tied on 176.0000 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Chicken places 8–9: Ash Kickin' BBQ and Steel Smoke BBQ tied on 176.0000 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
- Master Series — Chicken 6–7 · tie
- Master Series — Chicken 7–8 · tie
- Master Series — Chicken 8–9 · tie
- Master Series — Pork Ribs 2–3 · tie
A contest record in pork ribs
180.0000
best pork ribs ever cooked here
UGLY BABY BBQ turned in 180.0000 in pork ribs — past the 177.7372 that had stood across 10 earlier editions.
- old best 177.7372
- across 10 past editions
Back to defend
4
past champions back in the field
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: SHIGGIN & GRINNIN (won 2013, 2023), SPITFIRE (won 2015), IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ (won 2017), Hot Daddys BBQ (won 2023).
- SHIGGIN & GRINNIN · 2013, 2023
- SPITFIRE · 2015
- IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ · 2017
- Hot Daddys BBQ · 2023
One of the big ones
58
teams on the grounds
Bigger than 91% of the 5,462 contests in the data
58 teams — bigger than 91% of the 5,462 contests in the data.
A perfect score on the table
2
perfect 180s
2 perfect 180s were scored at this contest — every judge at the table handing back a nine.
- WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ · Brisket
- UGLY BABY BBQ · Pork Ribs
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)
This contest over the years full contest page →
| Date | Where | Venue | Teams | High score | Grand Champion | Reserve Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2013 | Faribault, MN | Faribault, MN | 49 | 689.1424 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | MONKEYS' UNCLES BBQ |
| May 16, 2014 | Falcon Heights, MN | Falcon Heights, MN 55448 | 58 | 696.0228 | A BOY & HIS BBQ | SPITFIRE |
| May 15, 2015 | St. Paul, MN | St. Paul, MN 55346 | 60 | 692.5600 | SPITFIRE | QUETOPIA |
| May 13, 2016 | Falcon Heights, MN | Falcon Heights, MN | 71 | 690.2056 | QUETOPIA | HOGLINE |
| May 12, 2017 | Falcon Heights, MN | Falcon Heights, MN 55346 | 71 | 695.3484 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | RUB MY RACK |
| May 11, 2018 | Falcon Heights, MN | Falcon Heights, MN 55346 | 70 | 694.8344 | EGGSPERT BBQ MINNESOTA | ACES HIGH BBQ |
| May 10, 2019 | 3101 HWY 95 NE | 57 | 698.8000 | Totally Sauced | HOGLINE | |
| May 7, 2021 | Cambridge, MN | 301 MN-95 | 60 | 697.1544 | Hogline | SIN CIRCLE BBQ |
| May 12, 2023 | St. Peter, MN | 400 Union St. | 59 | 698.2284 | Hot Daddys BBQ | Hogline BBQ |
| May 12, 2023 | St. Peter, MN | 400 Union St. | 46 | 177.1544 | Shiggin & Grinnin | — |
| May 10, 2024 ← this one | St. Peter, MN | 400 Union St. | 58 | 699.9772 | Hot Daddy's BBQ | WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ |
| May 10, 2024 | St. Peter, MN | 400 Union St. | 49 | 177.1544 | Weez's Groovin' BBQ | — |
| May 9, 2025 | St. Peter, MN | 400 Union St. | 58 | 701.6688 | Ash Kickin' BBQ | Phoenix BBQ |
| May 9, 2025 | St. Peter, MN | 400 Union St. | 43 | 178.8572 | KPG SMOKIN' | — |
| May 8, 2026 | St. Peter, MN | Nicolett County Fair Grounds | 77 | 700.0004 | Burnt Trees BBQ | Smokin Suckers |
| May 8, 2026 | St. Peter, MN | Nicolett County Fair Grounds | 47 | 176.5944 | Que's Yer Daddy | — |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Series — Chicken | 179.4400 | 176.5600 | 175.4400 |
| Master Series — Pork Ribs | 180 | 175.4056 | 173.1200 |
| Master Series — Pork | 178.8572 | 177.1428 | 174.8572 |
| Master Series — Brisket | 180 | 175.4400 | 173.1544 |
| Backyard Series — Chicken | 178.8800 | 176 | 173.1200 |
| Backyard Series — Pork Ribs | 177.1428 | 173.7028 | 171.4288 |
| Ancillary — Pork | 175.4056 | 168.5828 | 165.1088 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
58 entries · top 699.9772 · median 681.6054
Chicken
58 entries · top 179.4400 · median 171.9656
Pork Ribs
58 entries · top 180 · median 169.4116 · 🔥 perfect 180
Pork
58 entries · top 178.8572 · median 171.1314
Brisket
58 entries · top 180 · median 168.8342 · 🔥 perfect 180
Backyard Series
Overall
43 entries · top 350.2628 · median 334.8228
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sensuous BBQ | |
| 2 | Whatcha Got BBQ | |
| 3 | Porket About It | |
| 4 | Big Ten Bones | |
| 5 | Unknown Smokers | |
| 6 | WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ | |
| 7 | Big Racks BBQ | |
| 8 | DAWGS BBQ | |
| 9 | 901 Q | |
| 10 | FENDER BENDER BBQ | |
| 11 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 12 | The Kids Of Mr Shack BBQ | |
| 13 | Backroad BBQ | |
| 14 | Notorious P.I.G. | |
| 15 | Smoke M Like U Stole M | |
| 16 | Furlongs Smoke & Seafood | |
| 17 | Tipsy Smoker | |
| 18 | UPNORTHSMOKE | |
| 19 | DAD BOD BARBEQUE | |
| 20 | All Smoked Up BBQ | |
| 21 | Kellner Bro's BBQ | |
| 22 | Motley Crew BBQ | |
| 23 | Sota Smoke BBQ | |
| 24 | Black Stack BBQ | |
| 25 | SMOKEY GQ | |
| 26 | Squeeze My Slabs | |
| 27 | Weasel's Bone Lickin' BBQ | |
| 28 | Wapatui Smokers | |
| 29 | Natural Born Grillers | |
| 30 | Big Bear BBQ | |
| 31 | Taste Of Freedom | |
| 32 | Blessed Girl BBQ | |
| 33 | Dude Bod Barbeque | |
| 34 | Sweet Natty's Smokin' Q | |
| 35 | Anderson BBQ Supply | |
| 36 | Bubba Lou BBQ | |
| 37 | Sexy Pig BBQ | |
| 38 | Drunken Monkey Pit Stop BBQ | |
| 39 | Painted & Glazed BBQ | |
| 40 | Uff-Da Barbecue | |
| 41 | Team Janet's BBQ | |
| 42 | Big Boys BBQ | |
| 43 | Rack Shack bbq |
Chicken
43 entries · top 178.8800 · median 169.1200
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whatcha Got BBQ | |
| 2 | 901 Q | |
| 3 | Smoke M Like U Stole M | |
| 4 | Motley Crew BBQ | |
| 5 | Porket About It | |
| 6 | Backroad BBQ | |
| 7 | DAWGS BBQ | |
| 8 | The Kids Of Mr Shack BBQ | |
| 9 | Unknown Smokers | |
| 10 | Weasel's Bone Lickin' BBQ | |
| 11 | Sensuous BBQ | |
| 12 | UPNORTHSMOKE | |
| 13 | DAD BOD BARBEQUE | |
| 14 | Big Ten Bones | |
| 15 | Big Racks BBQ | |
| 16 | All Smoked Up BBQ | |
| 17 | FENDER BENDER BBQ | |
| 18 | Big Bear BBQ | |
| 19 | Wapatui Smokers | |
| 20 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 21 | Rack Shack bbq | |
| 22 | Tipsy Smoker | |
| 23 | Kellner Bro's BBQ | |
| 24 | Notorious P.I.G. | |
| 25 | Natural Born Grillers | |
| 26 | Furlongs Smoke & Seafood | |
| 27 | Black Stack BBQ | |
| 28 | WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ | |
| 29 | Sexy Pig BBQ | |
| 30 | Anderson BBQ Supply | |
| 31 | Blessed Girl BBQ | |
| 32 | Squeeze My Slabs | |
| 33 | SMOKEY GQ | |
| 34 | Dude Bod Barbeque | |
| 35 | Sota Smoke BBQ | |
| 36 | Sweet Natty's Smokin' Q | |
| 37 | Taste Of Freedom | |
| 38 | Drunken Monkey Pit Stop BBQ | |
| 39 | Team Janet's BBQ | |
| 40 | Bubba Lou BBQ | |
| 41 | Painted & Glazed BBQ | |
| 42 | Uff-Da Barbecue | |
| 43 | Big Boys BBQ |
Pork Ribs
42 entries · top 177.1428 · median 165.9656
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sensuous BBQ | |
| 2 | WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ | |
| 3 | Big Ten Bones | |
| 4 | Sota Smoke BBQ | |
| 5 | Big Racks BBQ | |
| 6 | Furlongs Smoke & Seafood | |
| 7 | Unknown Smokers | |
| 8 | FENDER BENDER BBQ | |
| 9 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 10 | Notorious P.I.G. | |
| 11 | SMOKEY GQ | |
| 12 | Porket About It | |
| 13 | Whatcha Got BBQ | |
| 14 | DAWGS BBQ | |
| 15 | Bubba Lou BBQ | |
| 16 | Squeeze My Slabs | |
| 17 | Tipsy Smoker | |
| 18 | Taste Of Freedom | |
| 19 | The Kids Of Mr Shack BBQ | |
| 20 | Backroad BBQ | |
| 21 | Kellner Bro's BBQ | |
| 22 | All Smoked Up BBQ | |
| 23 | Painted & Glazed BBQ | |
| 24 | Black Stack BBQ | |
| 25 | UPNORTHSMOKE | |
| 26 | DAD BOD BARBEQUE | |
| 27 | 901 Q | |
| 28 | Sweet Natty's Smokin' Q | |
| 29 | Dude Bod Barbeque | |
| 30 | Uff-Da Barbecue | |
| 31 | Blessed Girl BBQ | |
| 32 | Smoke M Like U Stole M | |
| 33 | Drunken Monkey Pit Stop BBQ | |
| 34 | Natural Born Grillers | |
| 35 | Wapatui Smokers | |
| 36 | Weasel's Bone Lickin' BBQ | |
| 37 | Motley Crew BBQ | |
| 38 | Big Bear BBQ | |
| 39 | Anderson BBQ Supply | |
| 40 | Sexy Pig BBQ | |
| 41 | Big Boys BBQ | |
| 42 | Team Janet's BBQ |
Ancillary
Pork
15 entries · top 175.4056 · median 167.9772
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FENDER BENDER BBQ | |
| 2 | Sensuous BBQ | |
| 3 | DAD BOD BARBEQUE | |
| 4 | WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ | |
| 5 | BBQ Pit Bros | |
| 6 | Sweet Natty's Smokin' Q | |
| 7 | Big Racks BBQ | |
| 8 | Weasel's Bone Lickin' BBQ | |
| 9 | Rack Shack bbq | |
| 10 | Tipsy Smoker | |
| 11 | Big Boys BBQ | |
| 12 | Team Janet's BBQ | |
| 13 | Backroad BBQ | |
| 14 | Painted & Glazed BBQ | |
| 15 | Bubba Lou BBQ |
Ancillary categories
Run by the organizers alongside the sanctioned contest. These are judged on their own terms and do not count toward the overall score, so they're kept out of the meat stats above.
Kids-Q — Kids-Q 11+
5 entries · top 165.1660 · median 164.5944
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Thomas | |
| 2 | Colin Wiese | |
| 3 | Allison Brelje | |
| 4 | Cole Stocker | |
| 5 | Blake Stocker |
Kids-Q — Kids-Q 5-10
10 entries · top 170.8800 · median 164.8800
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hazel Ellis | |
| 2 | Maisie Dobosenski | |
| 3 | C. J. Spellacy | |
| 4 | Andrew Brelje | |
| 5 | Harrison Reese | |
| 6 | Nolan Rehbein | |
| 7 | Drake Berndt | |
| 8 | Peyton Martins | |
| 9 | Finnegan McGee | |
| 10 | Henrik Anderson |
Turkey Smoke Series — Turkey Smoke
56 entries · top 180 · median 166.2686 · 🔥 perfect 180