Won without a category win
4 of 4
meats called to the stage
SMELLAQUE won the Grand Championship without winning a single meat — 4 calls from 4 boards, best of them 2nd. Consistency beat fireworks.
- Chicken 4th
- Pork Ribs 7th
- Pork 2nd
- Brisket 6th
Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship 2025
May 24–25, 2025 · Calmar, AB · CANADA · 📍 49541 Range Rd 260
Reps: Brenda Black, Ken Black
SMELLAQUE won Grand Champion at the Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship on May 24, 2025 in Calmar, AB at 49541 Range Rd 260, scoring 691.9084 in a field of 34 teams. ARROWHEAD NORTH BBQ took Reserve Grand Champion with 689.1772. Category winners: Chicken — No Measurements BBQ (177.7028); Pork Ribs — Kreiser Barbecue (176.0000); Pork — Hunny and Hooch (177.7028); Brisket — Brisket Butts (179.4400). The Backyard Series standings were won by Grill Hub with 335.4288. This is the 2nd of 5 editions of this contest on record; the 2024 edition was won by Smokin Outlaws; the next was held in 2026.
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.
572.41
median 653.33
691.91 🏆
How the meats cooked
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
- Master Series — Chicken 177.70
- Master Series — Pork Ribs 176
- Master Series — Pork 177.70
- Master Series — Brisket 179.44
- Backyard Series — Chicken 168.59
- Backyard Series — Pork Ribs 166.83
121.65
179.44
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2024 to 2026 — this edition picked out.
Entries
34
6 judged meats · 2 ancillary
Top score
691.9084
Winning margin
2.7312
GC over RC
Field average
653.35
572.41691.91
median 653.33 · last place to winner
Perfect 180s
0
Tightest race
Pork
3.9772 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
670.1712
572.41691.91
10th place overall
Field spread
119.4968
winner to last place
Double threats
8
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 66%
beats 34% of 4711 Master Series wins in the data
Came back for more
54%
21 of 39 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Weak
ρ = -0.28 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,531
avg power rating going in · stronger than 22% of contests
Storylines (5 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.
A dynasty in the making
2×
wins at this contest
2 of 5 tracked editions
Smokin Outlaws has won this contest 2 times across its 5 tracked editions.
- 2024
- 2026
A rookie on the podium
3rd
at their first tracked contest
Hunny and Hooch finished 3rd overall in the first contest the data has them cooking at all.
Photo finishes
Tie
closest of 9 calls decided inside half a point
Master Series — Pork Ribs places 7–8: SMELLAQUE and Hogparts School of Smokecraft and Brew'ery tied on 169.1200 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Brisket places 8–9: DrumBo and EFFIN'EH GRAY'S tied on 172.5600 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Chicken places 5–6: Kreiser Barbecue edged Hogparts School of Smokecraft and Brew'ery by 0.0116.
- Master Series — Pork Ribs 7–8 · tie
- Master Series — Brisket 8–9 · tie
- Master Series — Chicken 5–6 · 0.0116
- Master Series — Pork Ribs 6–7 · 0.0116
A double category winner
2
category wins in a day
Grill Hub won Chicken, Pork Ribs — a double.
- Chicken 1st
- Pork Ribs 1st
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 25, 2024 | Calmar, AB | 49541 Range Rd 260 | 39 | 710.2972 | Smokin Outlaws | Q Cartel |
| May 24, 2025 ← this one | Calmar, AB | 49541 Range Rd 260 | 34 | 691.9084 | SmellaQue | ARROWHEAD NORTH BBQ |
| May 23, 2026 | Calmar, AB | 49541 Range Rd 260 | 23 | 710.2972 | SMELLAQUE | EFFIN'EH GRAY'S |
| May 23, 2026 | Calmar, AB | 49541 Range Rd 260 | 18 | 180 | SMOKIN' OUTLAWS | — |
| May 23, 2026 | Calmar, AB | 49541 Range Rd 260 | 18 | 178.8572 | HOGPARTS SCHOOL OF SMOKECRAFT BREW'ERY | — |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Series — Chicken | 177.7028 | 172.0116 | 168.5372 |
| Master Series — Pork Ribs | 176 | 169.1544 | 167.9772 |
| Master Series — Pork | 177.7028 | 173.7256 | 167.9656 |
| Master Series — Brisket | 179.4400 | 174.2628 | 170.2856 |
| Backyard Series — Chicken | 168.5944 | 164.5256 | — |
| Backyard Series — Pork Ribs | 166.8344 | 151.3944 | — |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
34 entries · top 691.9084 · median 653.3256
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SMELLAQUE | |
| 2 | ARROWHEAD NORTH BBQ | |
| 3 | Hunny and Hooch | |
| 4 | Just Katie | |
| 5 | EFFIN'EH GRAY'S | |
| 6 | Kreiser Barbecue | |
| 7 | Brisket Butts | |
| 8 | Q Cartel | |
| 9 | MOTLEY QUE | |
| 10 | DIDY SMOKE IT | |
| 11 | Hogparts School of Smokecraft and Brew'ery | |
| 12 | Phantom Smoke & BBQ | |
| 13 | HOME COOKIN' BBQ | |
| 14 | No Measurements BBQ | |
| 15 | Rollin Smoke BBQ | |
| 16 | DrumBo | |
| 17 | Mc Que It | |
| 18 | Fire BBQ | |
| 19 | Homestead Smoke Shack | |
| 20 | KillerbunnyBBQ | |
| 21 | YOU NEED A BBQ | |
| 22 | GRIZZLY PAW SMOKERS | |
| 23 | Slam Dunk BBQ | |
| 24 | Burnt Down BBQ | |
| 25 | ROKER Q | |
| 26 | Smokinbox | |
| 27 | Grill Hub | |
| 28 | Panther BBQ | |
| 29 | Murfy's BBQ Co. | |
| 30 | Pour Decisions Pit | |
| 31 | Rack Addicts BBQ Team | |
| 32 | Smokin Section | |
| 33 | Tommy Boy Grillin | |
| 34 | Bowsers BBQ |
Chicken
34 entries · top 177.7028 · median 162.8400
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No Measurements BBQ | |
| 2 | Hunny and Hooch | |
| 3 | Just Katie | |
| 4 | SMELLAQUE | |
| 5 | Kreiser Barbecue | |
| 6 | Hogparts School of Smokecraft and Brew'ery | |
| 7 | Q Cartel | |
| 8 | EFFIN'EH GRAY'S | |
| 9 | DIDY SMOKE IT | |
| 10 | Phantom Smoke & BBQ | |
| 11 | Brisket Butts | |
| 12 | Fire BBQ | |
| 13 | Mc Que It | |
| 14 | MOTLEY QUE | |
| 15 | ARROWHEAD NORTH BBQ | |
| 16 | Grill Hub | |
| 17 | Bowsers BBQ | |
| 18 | Burnt Down BBQ | |
| 19 | KillerbunnyBBQ | |
| 20 | YOU NEED A BBQ | |
| 21 | Homestead Smoke Shack | |
| 22 | Smokin Section | |
| 23 | Tommy Boy Grillin | |
| 24 | HOME COOKIN' BBQ | |
| 25 | Rollin Smoke BBQ | |
| 26 | DrumBo | |
| 27 | Slam Dunk BBQ | |
| 28 | Panther BBQ | |
| 29 | ROKER Q | |
| 30 | Smokinbox | |
| 31 | Rack Addicts BBQ Team | |
| 32 | Murfy's BBQ Co. | |
| 33 | Pour Decisions Pit | |
| 34 | GRIZZLY PAW SMOKERS |
Pork Ribs
34 entries · top 176 · median 161.4002
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kreiser Barbecue | |
| 2 | EFFIN'EH GRAY'S | |
| 3 | ARROWHEAD NORTH BBQ | |
| 4 | Hunny and Hooch | |
| 5 | Phantom Smoke & BBQ | |
| 6 | Homestead Smoke Shack | |
| 7 | SMELLAQUE | |
| 8 | Hogparts School of Smokecraft and Brew'ery | |
| 9 | Just Katie | |
| 10 | HOME COOKIN' BBQ | |
| 11 | MOTLEY QUE | |
| 12 | Pour Decisions Pit | |
| 13 | DrumBo | |
| 14 | Rollin Smoke BBQ | |
| 15 | Brisket Butts | |
| 16 | Fire BBQ | |
| 17 | YOU NEED A BBQ | |
| 18 | GRIZZLY PAW SMOKERS | |
| 19 | Grill Hub | |
| 20 | Burnt Down BBQ | |
| 21 | Murfy's BBQ Co. | |
| 22 | Slam Dunk BBQ | |
| 23 | ROKER Q | |
| 24 | DIDY SMOKE IT | |
| 25 | Q Cartel | |
| 26 | Smokinbox | |
| 27 | No Measurements BBQ | |
| 28 | Mc Que It | |
| 29 | Panther BBQ | |
| 30 | Smokin Section | |
| 31 | Bowsers BBQ | |
| 32 | Rack Addicts BBQ Team | |
| 33 | KillerbunnyBBQ | |
| 34 | Tommy Boy Grillin |
Pork
34 entries · top 177.7028 · median 164.5428
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hunny and Hooch | |
| 2 | SMELLAQUE | |
| 3 | ROKER Q | |
| 4 | Hogparts School of Smokecraft and Brew'ery | |
| 5 | ARROWHEAD NORTH BBQ | |
| 6 | MOTLEY QUE | |
| 7 | Q Cartel | |
| 8 | Brisket Butts | |
| 9 | Just Katie | |
| 10 | Panther BBQ | |
| 11 | Kreiser Barbecue | |
| 12 | HOME COOKIN' BBQ | |
| 13 | Rollin Smoke BBQ | |
| 14 | Mc Que It | |
| 15 | EFFIN'EH GRAY'S | |
| 16 | Slam Dunk BBQ | |
| 17 | DIDY SMOKE IT | |
| 18 | Homestead Smoke Shack | |
| 19 | Smokinbox | |
| 20 | GRIZZLY PAW SMOKERS | |
| 21 | No Measurements BBQ | |
| 22 | KillerbunnyBBQ | |
| 23 | DrumBo | |
| 24 | YOU NEED A BBQ | |
| 25 | Phantom Smoke & BBQ | |
| 26 | Grill Hub | |
| 27 | Smokin Section | |
| 28 | Fire BBQ | |
| 29 | Murfy's BBQ Co. | |
| 30 | Pour Decisions Pit | |
| 31 | Burnt Down BBQ | |
| 32 | Rack Addicts BBQ Team | |
| 33 | Tommy Boy Grillin | |
| 34 | Bowsers BBQ |
Brisket
34 entries · top 179.4400 · median 163.9714
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brisket Butts | |
| 2 | DIDY SMOKE IT | |
| 3 | ARROWHEAD NORTH BBQ | |
| 4 | KillerbunnyBBQ | |
| 5 | Q Cartel | |
| 6 | SMELLAQUE | |
| 7 | Just Katie | |
| 8 | DrumBo | |
| 9 | EFFIN'EH GRAY'S | |
| 10 | Phantom Smoke & BBQ | |
| 11 | Burnt Down BBQ | |
| 12 | HOME COOKIN' BBQ | |
| 13 | Fire BBQ | |
| 14 | Rollin Smoke BBQ | |
| 15 | GRIZZLY PAW SMOKERS | |
| 16 | YOU NEED A BBQ | |
| 17 | Rack Addicts BBQ Team | |
| 18 | Kreiser Barbecue | |
| 19 | Mc Que It | |
| 20 | Hunny and Hooch | |
| 21 | Slam Dunk BBQ | |
| 22 | MOTLEY QUE | |
| 23 | Smokinbox | |
| 24 | Murfy's BBQ Co. | |
| 25 | No Measurements BBQ | |
| 26 | Homestead Smoke Shack | |
| 27 | Grill Hub | |
| 28 | Hogparts School of Smokecraft and Brew'ery | |
| 29 | Panther BBQ | |
| 30 | Tommy Boy Grillin | |
| 31 | ROKER Q | |
| 32 | Pour Decisions Pit | |
| 33 | Smokin Section | |
| 34 | Bowsers BBQ |
Backyard Series
Overall
7 entries · top 335.4288 · median 319.3944
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grill Hub | |
| 2 | Smoke and No Mirrors | |
| 3 | Rollin Smoke Jr | |
| 4 | Phantom Smoke & BBQ | |
| 5 | HellHounds BBQ | |
| 6 | Cougar BBQ | |
| 7 | West Country Smokaholics |
Chicken
7 entries · top 168.5944 · median 165.1200
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grill Hub | |
| 2 | Rollin Smoke Jr | |
| 3 | HellHounds BBQ | |
| 4 | Phantom Smoke & BBQ | |
| 5 | Cougar BBQ | |
| 6 | Smoke and No Mirrors | |
| 7 | West Country Smokaholics |
Pork Ribs
7 entries · top 166.8344 · median 154.2744
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grill Hub | |
| 2 | Smoke and No Mirrors | |
| 3 | Rollin Smoke Jr | |
| 4 | Phantom Smoke & BBQ | |
| 5 | HellHounds BBQ | |
| 6 | West Country Smokaholics | |
| 7 | Cougar 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.
Ancillary — Black Box
17 entries · top 180 · median 167.4172 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brisket Butts | |
| 2 | DIDY SMOKE IT | |
| 3 | YOU NEED A BBQ | |
| 4 | Smokin Section | |
| 5 | Hogparts School of Smokecraft and Brew'ery | |
| 6 | Fire BBQ | |
| 7 | No Measurements BBQ | |
| 8 | ROKER Q | |
| 9 | Burnt Down BBQ | |
| 10 | Bowsers BBQ | |
| 11 | Grill Hub | |
| 12 | Tommy Boy Grillin | |
| 13 | SMELLAQUE | |
| 14 | Q Cartel | |
| 15 | MOTLEY QUE | |
| 16 | Slam Dunk BBQ | |
| 17 | Smokinbox |
Kids-Q — Chicken Thighs
4 entries · top 173.1084 · median 167.9772
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pew Pew BBQ | |
| 2 | Rye Rye the BBQ Kid | |
| 3 | Bowsers BBQ Jr | |
| 4 | Hot Dogs |