In this edition
Every sanctioned contest scored in April 2023.
Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests
The Smoke Ring
Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record
The Index
- Grand Champions A2
- The Month in Brief A3
- Perfect Scores A5
- Ratings Market A6
- The Backyard A7
- New to the Circuit A8
- Box Scores B1
- Complete Results B4
- Back Issues C4
Score of the month
RAZORRACKS Turns In the Month’s Best Card
714.2744 out of 720 at Southaven Springfest — the highest Master overall scored in April 2023.
top 1% of every Master overall ever scored
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — RAZORRACKS put up 714.2744 at Southaven Springfest — the highest overall of the month.
Across April 2023, 36 sanctioned contests were scored, across 16 states and provinces, drawing 832 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 1,397 top-ten calls and handed out 44 perfect 180s. 135 teams appear in the record for the first time. The full standings run on B1.
Every Grand Championship in this edition — 36 in all.
- Laurentius Meetjesland International BBQ Contest
- OPTIMUS SWINE 757 Revolutionary BBQ Brawl - Battle on the James (Day 2)
- Smokin J's BBQ Break Up Shake Up BBQ Contest (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- Birching Good Meats Break Up Shake Up BBQ Contest (ONE MEAT CHICKEN)
- High on the Hog Marietta River City BBQ
- Shake N Bake BBQ WashMo BBQ & Bluesfest (JUDGING FULL)
- PuckDaddy's Killer Q Smoke on the Water BBQ Festival (BACKYARD ONLY)
- Meat Candy Q BBQ, Boots & Brew
- Maya Jane BBQ BBQ Boogie & Blues
- Chicken Fried BBQ Hog Wild BBQ Cookoff
- Smokin' Bliss BBQ Lodi BeerFest & BBQ Championship
- One Eyed Pig BBQ Smokin' in the Pines
- BUSHMASTER BBQ Revolutionary BBQ Brawl - Battle on the James (Day 1)
- The BBQ Bus Marietta River City BBQ (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- Que U WashMo BBQ & Bluesfest (ONE MEAT RIBS) (JUDGING FULL)
- Top Gun Barbecue New Jersey KnoQ-out - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 2)
- Blue & Gray BBQ New Jersey KnoQ-out - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- HIGH I QUE Smokin in the Creek BBQ
- Wolf's Revenge New Jersey KnoQ-out - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 1)
- Razorracks Southaven Springfest
- SMOKED & FURIOUS Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition
- Under the Radar WV Hunting Heroes BBQ Throwdown
- Good Googly Goo BBQ New Jersey KnoQ-out - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (ONE MEAT CHICKEN)
- Top Gun Barbecue Southern New England Barbecue Throwdown - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES
- GETTIN' BASTED BBQ Fest Costa Rica 2023
- Grandpa Val's Southern New England Barbecue Throwdown - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- COCAMOKE SMOKE BBQ LLC The Downtown BBQ Showdown
- Mcadoo Heights BBQ Bone Suckin' Sauce Peak City Pig Fest
- Smoke Me Silly 11th Annual Bull Moose BBQ
- Smokey Bee's Fire at the Foothills (BACKYARD ONLY)
- LAURENTIUS Eastern BBQ Contest 2023 - Day 2
- Janky Leg BBQ Smoke in the Spring
- We Will Rock 'Que Smoke on the Falls
- Off The Rack BBQ The Ironman
- Muttley Crew BBQ Jimbo's Annual BBQ Competition
- SMOKE ON THE WILD SIDE Eastern BBQ Contest 2023 - Day 1
Hottest hand
Two Grand Championships in Apr 2023 for BBQ Team Laurentius
Nobody else in the field ran a hotter hand.
2× Grand Championships
BBQ Team Laurentius took 2 Grand Championships in April 2023.
First one ever
WE WILL ROCK QUE Wins Its First, on the 70th Try
A first Grand Championship at Smoke on the Falls, after 70 contests in the record.
70th contest — and their first GC
GADSDEN, Ala. — WE WILL ROCK QUE won their first Grand Championship at Smoke on the Falls, in their 70th contest in the data.
Title defended
Meat Candy Q Defends Its Title at BBQ, Boots & Brew
Back-to-back Grand Championships at the same contest — 2022 and 2023.
2 in a row wins at this contest
PERRIS, Calif. — Meat Candy Q won BBQ, Boots & Brew again — back-to-back Grand Championships at the same contest.
Also in Apr 2023
The Long Shot Comes In at Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition
Smoked & Furious won Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition over top-rated CLARK CREW BBQ as the ratings underdog.
Judges Hand Out 44 Perfect 180s
Six judges, every card a 9: 44 perfect 180s were handed out in April 2023.
Decided by 0.0116 of a Point
MCADOO HEIGHTS BBQ edged Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit by 0.0116 at Bone Suckin' Sauce Peak City Pig Fest.
MAYA JANE BBQ CO. Back on Top After Four Years
MAYA JANE BBQ CO. won BBQ Boogie & Blues — their first Grand Championship since May 2018, after 56 contests without one.
JANKY LEG BBQ Sets the Record at Smoke in the Spring
JANKY LEG BBQ put up 707.9772 at Smoke in the Spring — the best overall in 11 editions of the contest on record, past the old mark of 706.2744.
GETTIN' BASTED Takes Three of Four Meats at BBQ Fest Costa Rica
GETTIN' BASTED won 3 of 4 meats at BBQ Fest Costa Rica 2023 (chicken, pork and brisket), and the Grand Championship with them.
Smoked & Furious Climbs 47 Rating Points
Smoked & Furious gained 47 rating points across 3 contests — the biggest climb of the month.
24 State Champions Crowned
24 state championships were decided in April 2023. The biggest, Smoke in the Spring (103 teams), went to Janky Leg BBQ.
First Time Out, Leaning Jowler BBQ Takes 1st
Leaning Jowler BBQ finished 1st at Revolutionary BBQ Brawl - Battle on the James (Day 1) — the first contest they appear in anywhere in the data.
Swine-O-licious BBQ Tops the Backyard Board at Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition
Swine-O-licious BBQ put up 357.7144 on the Backyard board at Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition — two meats, a different scale, and the same nerves.
GETTIN' BASTED Runs Away With BBQ Fest Costa Rica
GETTIN' BASTED won BBQ Fest Costa Rica 2023 by 29.7368 points over BBQ Rebels — the widest winning margin of the month.
103 Teams Roll Into Osage City
Smoke in the Spring drew 103 teams, and Janky Leg BBQ won it.
PARROTHEAD SMOKERS Cooks Its 200th Contest
PARROTHEAD SMOKERS cooked their 200th contest on record at Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition, with 37 Grand Championships along the way.
Nobody Hauled Further Than Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit
Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit cooked 9 contests in April 2023 — nobody hauled the rig further.
HIGH i QUE Wins Smokin in the Creek BBQ Without Winning a Meat
HIGH i QUE won Smokin in the Creek BBQ without winning a single meat — their best category finish was 2nd.
A New Contest Opens in Sugar Creek
Smokin in the Creek BBQ ran for the first time on record, drawing 51 teams, and HIGH I QUE won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.
COOL HAND QUE Takes Reserve Two Times
COOL HAND QUE finished second overall 2 times in April 2023 without a Grand Championship — one place short every time.
Eleven Contests on One Friday
11 sanctioned contests were cooked on 28 Apr alone.
Jeff Chambers Works Eleven Contests
Jeff Chambers repped 11 contests in April 2023 — somebody has to run the table.
Perfect 180s
44 perfect scores — six judges, every card a nine.
- Brisket BIG POPPA SMOKERS BBQ, Boots & Brew · April 28
- Chicken CHICKEN FRIED BBQ Hog Wild BBQ Cookoff · April 28
- Pork Ribs CHICKEN FRIED BBQ Hog Wild BBQ Cookoff · April 28
- Pork LADY OF Q BBQ, Boots & Brew · April 28
- Chicken Mispillion Meat Works Revolutionary BBQ Brawl - Battle on the James (Day 1) · April 28
- Pork Ribs PIGLITICALLY INCORRECT BBQ Hog Wild BBQ Cookoff · April 28
- Chicken PUCKDADDY'S KILLER Q Smoke on the Water BBQ Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) · April 28
- Chicken Southern Life BBQ BBQ Boogie & Blues · April 28
- Chicken WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ Revolutionary BBQ Brawl - Battle on the James (Day 1) · April 28
- Pork Ribs ZIPS BBQ BBQ Boogie & Blues · April 28
- Chicken WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ New Jersey KnoQ-out - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 2) · April 22
- Chicken Big Reds Backyard BBQ Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · April 21
- Brisket CLARK CREW BBQ Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · April 21
- Pork Ribs Colorado Bulldawg BBQ Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · April 21
- Chicken Compete BBQ Team Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · April 21
- Pork Cow Creek BBQ Smokin in the Creek BBQ · April 21
- Pork Ribs MAN MEAT BBQ Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · April 21
- Pork Ribs MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ Smokin in the Creek BBQ · April 21
- Brisket Que-N-Da 662 Southaven Springfest · April 21
- Brisket RAZORRACKS Southaven Springfest · April 21
- Pork ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN Southaven Springfest · April 21
- Pork Ribs Royal Schmidt's BBQ competition team Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · April 21
- Brisket Smoked & Furious Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · April 21
- Pork Three Hog Night Smokers Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · April 21
…and 20 more.
The Ratings Market Power rating and the move over Apr 2023; # is the team’s place in the power rankings
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| Smoked & Furious #181 | 1,764 | ▲ 47 |
| BBQ Team Laurentius #693 | 1,644 | ▲ 43 |
| Leaning Jowler BBQ #103 | 1,806 | ▲ 38 |
| ONE EYED PIG BBQ #357 | 1,710 | ▲ 36 |
| T & S BBQ #317 | 1,719 | ▲ 35 |
| Colorado Bulldawg BBQ #73 | 1,823 | ▲ 34 |
| HotMess BBQ #267 | 1,733 | ▲ 29 |
| Deviant Smoke #610 | 1,658 | ▲ 29 |
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| Beefy Bros BBQ #1,239 | 1,583 | ▲ 28 |
| Off The Rack BBQ #224 | 1,750 | ▲ 28 |
| Nine Echo | 1,474 | ▼ 26 |
| Low and Slow Smokehouse #4,981 | 1,463 | ▼ 26 |
| SMOKIN BOYS AND HOT GRILLS #602 | 1,659 | ▼ 28 |
| Disco Brisket BBQ | 1,457 | ▼ 32 |
| POKE N SMOKE #1,651 | 1,555 | ▼ 37 |
Full power rankings → · Ratings move only on rated contests; invitationals and non-points events are excluded.
The Backyard Two meats, out of 360 — never against the Master board
The Backyard division was cooked at eleven contests in Apr 2023.
- 1 Swine-O-licious BBQ Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · Derby, Kan. 357.7144
- 2 Compete BBQ Team Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · Derby, Kan. 357.7028
- 3 Aww Shucks BBQ Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · Derby, Kan. 354.8688
- 4 RIBLIFE Smoke on the Falls · Gadsden, Ala. 354.2744
- 5 Too Sauced BBQ Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · Derby, Kan. 353.7144
- 6 MUNNY'S STOVE Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · Derby, Kan. 353.1200
- 7 Big Reds Backyard BBQ Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · Derby, Kan. 352
- 8 Smokey Bey's Barbecue Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition · Derby, Kan. 351.4172
- 9 Deviant Smoke Smoke on the Falls · Gadsden, Ala. 349.1432
- 10 POOR BOYS BBQ Revolutionary BBQ Brawl - Battle on the James (Day 2) · Williamsburg, Va. 349.1200
The Backyard series in full → · Its own record board, its own champions and its own Team of the Year.
New to the Circuit First appearance anywhere in the record — the figure is their best finish
- 1st Leaning Jowler BBQ Revolutionary BBQ Brawl - Battle on the James (Day 1)
- 3rd Buddy A'mine BBQ Jimbo's Annual BBQ Competition
- 4th MAILLARD 506 BBQ Fest Costa Rica 2023
- 4th XU Catering Bone Suckin' Sauce Peak City Pig Fest
- 5th H.A. Cafe WV Hunting Heroes BBQ Throwdown
- 6th Mr T's BBQ Jimbo's Annual BBQ Competition
- 6th Sawdust BBQ WV Hunting Heroes BBQ Throwdown
- 7th Smokey Bey's Barbecue Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition
- 8th A&R Q WashMo BBQ & Bluesfest (JUDGING FULL)
- 8th BROCK'S BBQ Revolutionary BBQ Brawl - Battle on the James (Day 1)
- 8th Trail Hog BBQ Jimbo's Annual BBQ Competition
- 10th 4 Paws BBQ BBQ Boogie & Blues
- 10th Battle Brothers Que Smoke on the Water BBQ Festival (BACKYARD ONLY)
- 10th Kooky Kampers Barbecue Jimbo's Annual BBQ Competition
- 10th Swappin Sauces The Ironman
- 10th Twigs and Berries BBQ New Jersey KnoQ-out - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 2)
- 11th DonSquatch Bbq The Ironman
- 11th Skeleton Crew Fire at the Foothills (BACKYARD ONLY)
What a first season usually looks like → · 12 contests also ran for the first time on record: Smokin in the Creek BBQ, Southern New England Barbecue Throwdown - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES, Smoke on the Water BBQ Festival (BACKYARD ONLY), The Downtown BBQ Showdown, Rod Trowbridge Memorial Cook Flyin BBQ Competition, Hog Wild BBQ Cookoff, 11th Annual Bull Moose BBQ, Smokin' in the Pines, Southern New England Barbecue Throwdown - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (ONE MEAT RIBS), Revolutionary BBQ Brawl - Battle on the James (Day 1), WV Hunting Heroes BBQ Throwdown, Break Up Shake Up BBQ Contest (ONE MEAT RIBS).
Best of Each Meat
Both series, out of 180
| Meat | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken†14 | HIGH i QUE Smoke in the Spring |
180 |
| Pork Ribs†9 | JANKY LEG BBQ Smoke in the Spring |
180 |
| Pork†9 | Barking Dog BBQ Smoke in the Spring |
180 |
| Brisket†12 | GETTIN' BASTED Smoke in the Spring |
180 |
† a perfect 180 was scored in this category during the edition.
Who Showed Up
Contests · Grand Championships · best overall finish
| Team | C | GC | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit | 9 | — | 2 |
| WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| CHUNKY BBQ | 6 | — | 2 |
| STICKS & STONES BBQ | 6 | — | 2 |
| GOOD GOOGLY GOO BBQ | 5 | — | 2 |
| HOLD YOUR HORSES BBQ | 5 | — | 3 |
| Grandpa Val's BBQ | 5 | — | 4 |
| BLUE & GRAY BBQ | 5 | — | 6 |
| SmoKEN Meatz | 5 | — | 10 |
| Live Q or Die | 5 | — | 17 |
| Disco Brisket BBQ | 5 | — | 28 |
| JANKY LEG BBQ | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Leaning Jowler BBQ | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| MUTTLEY CREW BBQ | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Off The Rack BBQ | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Who Ran the Table
Contests worked · states & provinces
| Rep | C | St. |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Chambers | 11 | 4 |
| Regina Bodnar | 7 | 3 |
| Bill Jones | 4 | 3 |
| Louise Weidner | 4 | 1 |
| Alan Rothrock | 3 | 1 |
| Alex Jr Brown | 3 | 2 |
| Carol Bigler | 3 | 2 |
| Charlie Brinza | 3 | 2 |
| Doug Reid | 3 | 1 |
| Forrest Bruce | 3 | 2 |
| Janet Appleton | 3 | 2 |
| Marianne Van Galen | 3 | — |
| Mayco Van Galen | 3 | — |
| Randy G Bigler | 3 | 2 |
| Sam Appleton | 3 | 2 |
| Becky Druetzler | 2 | 1 |
| Dave Druetzler | 2 | 1 |
| Dave Rogers | 2 | 1 |
| Debra Gage | 2 | 1 |
| Haymo Gutweniger | 2 | — |
Where They Cooked
Contests · teams
| State/Prov. | C | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 4 | 54 |
| Alabama | 3 | 135 |
| Missouri | 3 | 86 |
| North Carolina | 3 | 78 |
| Kansas | 2 | 138 |
| California | 2 | 60 |
| Mississippi | 2 | 53 |
| Virginia | 2 | 48 |
| Connecticut | 2 | 46 |
| Ohio | 2 | 44 |
| Alaska | 2 | 12 |
| Georgia | 1 | 48 |
| Florida | 1 | 32 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 30 |
| Tennessee | 1 | 25 |
| West Virginia | 1 | 21 |
Every sanctioned contest scored in this edition — 36 in all, newest first. Click a column head to sort; click a row for the contest.
Contests Advertised
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 1) — Friday, Oct. 23. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (ONE MEAT CHICKEN) — Friday, Oct. 23. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- VPD Back the Blue BBQ Competition — Friday, Oct. 23. Vidalia, La. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Rock Lane Presents Grills Gone Wild — Friday, Oct. 23. Branson, Mo. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- The Butcher's Smoke & Flames Barbeque Cookoff (BACKYARD ONLY) — Friday, Oct. 23. Cullman, Ala. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Foothills Smoke-Off Challenge — Friday, Oct. 23. Lenoir, N.C. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 2) — Saturday, Oct. 24. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (ONE MEAT RIBS) — Saturday, Oct. 24. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
Map what is in driving range → · subscribe to the calendar → · the judging notices → · the whole calendar →
Every month with scored results, back to the start of the record. ← March 2023 May 2023 → Latest edition
Seasons in review: 2026 · 2025 · 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012