Big Knob BBQ & Cash Fest
2026-05-22 – 2026-05-23 · Rochester, PA · State championship
Reps: REGINA BODNAR, ROBERT MCKEE · Prize money: $3,600.00
Grand Champion: HotMess BBQ (700.5372) · 14 teams
Entries
14
6 categories
Top score
338.2628
Winning margin
1.1768
GC over RC
Field average
332.25
median 331.68
Perfect 180s
1 🔥
Tightest race
Pork
1.7028 pts across the top 5
Field spread
11.9884
winner to last place
Prize money
$3,600.00
on the line
Double threats
9
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 96%
beats 4% of 2715 overall wins in the data
Field strength
1538
avg power rating going in · stronger than 43% of contests
Storylines
🪒 A razor-thin finish
The Grand Championship was decided by 1.1768 points — closer than 79% of every championship in the data.
🧳 Out-of-towners took the title
HotMess BBQ took the Grand Championship home to VA.
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
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Backyard Series — Chicken
6 entries · top 175.4400 · median 167.1028
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | J & T BBQ | |
| 2 | BBQ MIKE | |
| 3 | Mad Hatter BBQ | |
| 4 | Jack Wagon Smoking BBQ | |
| 5 | PIT"SBURGH SMOKERS | |
| 6 | Booze Brothers Q |
Backyard Series — Overall
6 entries · top 338.2628 · median 331.6800
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BBQ MIKE | |
| 2 | Mad Hatter BBQ | |
| 3 | PIT"SBURGH SMOKERS | |
| 4 | J & T BBQ | |
| 5 | Jack Wagon Smoking BBQ | |
| 6 | Booze Brothers Q |
Backyard Series — Pork Ribs
6 entries · top 169.6916 · median 164.8458
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mad Hatter BBQ | |
| 2 | BBQ MIKE | |
| 3 | PIT"SBURGH SMOKERS | |
| 4 | Booze Brothers Q | |
| 5 | Jack Wagon Smoking BBQ | |
| 6 | J & T BBQ |
Master Series — Brisket
14 entries · top 176.0000 · median 167.1028
Master Series — Chicken
14 entries · top 177.7144 · median 169.6742
Master Series — Overall
14 entries · top 700.5372 · median 679.3256
Master Series — Pork
14 entries · top 175.4172 · median 169.9656
Master Series — Pork Ribs
14 entries · top 180.0000 · median 171.4000 · 🔥 perfect 180