In this edition
Every sanctioned contest scored in January 2025.
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
Poppa Pig Turns In the Month’s Best Card
714.2744 out of 720 at Lakeland Pig Festival — the highest Master overall scored in January 2025.
top 1% of every Master overall ever scored
LAKELAND, Fla. — Poppa Pig put up 714.2744 at Lakeland Pig Festival — the highest overall of the month.
Across January 2025, 8 sanctioned contests were scored, across 4 states and provinces, drawing 329 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 330 top-ten calls and handed out 15 perfect 180s. 96 teams appear in the record for the first time. The full standings run on B1.
Every Grand Championship in this edition — 8 in all.
- Gettin' Basted The Golden State Battle VII (Day 2)
- Poppa Pig? Lakeland Pig Festival
- Shiggin aint easy SJV Winter Rub
- Cherry Anchor BBQ The Golden State Battle VII (Day 1)
- Justice BBQ Jaco Beach BBQ Challenge (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- Heifers, Butts & Clucks Jaco Beach BBQ Challenge (ONE MEAT CHICKEN)
- Gettin' Basted 10th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge
- Elite BBQ Smokers 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
Hottest hand
Two Grand Championships in Jan 2025 for GETTIN' BASTED
Nobody else in the field ran a hotter hand.
2× Grand Championships
GETTIN' BASTED took 2 Grand Championships in January 2025.
First one ever
Big Bear BBQ Wins Its First, on the 23rd Try
A first Grand Championship at 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam, after 23 contests in the record.
23rd contest — and their first GC
ELKTON, Fla. — Big Bear BBQ won their first Grand Championship at 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam, in their 23rd contest in the data.
Upset of the month
The Long Shot Comes In at The Golden State Battle VII (Day 1)
The ratings gave Cherry Anchor BBQ a 12% chance, with GETTIN' BASTED the team to beat.
12-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings
HOLLISTER, Calif. — Cherry Anchor BBQ won The Golden State Battle VII (Day 1) over top-rated GETTIN' BASTED as the ratings underdog.
Also in Jan 2025
Judges Hand Out 15 Perfect 180s
Six judges, every card a 9: 15 perfect 180s were handed out in January 2025.
Decided by 0.5944 of a Point
Big Bear BBQ edged Dogpatch Q by 0.5944 at 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam.
ELITE BBQ SMOKERS Back on Top After Three Years
ELITE BBQ SMOKERS won 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam — their first Grand Championship since October 2021, after 52 contests without one.
BONE RUBBIN BBQ Climbs 33 Rating Points
BONE RUBBIN BBQ gained 33 rating points across 3 contests — the biggest climb of the month.
Six State Champions Crowned
6 state championships were decided in January 2025. The biggest, 10th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge (48 teams), went to Gettin' Basted.
First Time Out, Mike's Backyard BBQ Takes 5th
Mike's Backyard BBQ finished 5th at 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam — the first contest they appear in anywhere in the data.
Big Bear BBQ Tops the Backyard Board at 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
Big Bear BBQ put up 353.7144 on the Backyard board at 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam — two meats, a different scale, and the same nerves.
Cherry Anchor BBQ Runs Away With The Golden State Battle VII
Cherry Anchor BBQ won The Golden State Battle VII (Day 1) by 14.3200 points over SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ — the widest winning margin of the month.
48 Teams Roll Into Bullhead City
10th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge drew 48 teams, and Gettin' Basted won it.
LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ Cooks Its 150th Contest
LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ cooked their 150th contest on record at The Golden State Battle VII (Day 1), with 16 Grand Championships along the way.
Nobody Hauled Further Than GETTIN' BASTED
GETTIN' BASTED cooked 3 contests in January 2025 — nobody hauled the rig further.
GETTIN' BASTED Wins Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge Without Winning a Meat
GETTIN' BASTED won 10th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge without winning a single meat — their best category finish was 2nd.
A New Contest Opens in Bullhead City
10th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge ran for the first time on record, drawing 48 teams, and Gettin' Basted won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.
SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ Takes Reserve Two Times
SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ finished second overall 2 times in January 2025 without a Grand Championship — one place short every time.
Five Contests on One Friday
5 sanctioned contests were cooked on 24 Jan alone.
Charlie Brinza Works Three Contests
Charlie Brinza repped 3 contests in January 2025 — somebody has to run the table.
Perfect 180s
15 perfect scores — six judges, every card a nine.
- Pork BULL MARKET BBQ The Golden State Battle VII (Day 1) · Jan. 24
- Brisket Barely Sober BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 24
- Pork Cherry Anchor BBQ The Golden State Battle VII (Day 1) · Jan. 24
- Chicken Damn Fine Beef & Swine SJV Winter Rub · Jan. 24
- Pork Ribs ELITE BBQ SMOKERS Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 24
- Pork GOOD GOOGLY GOO BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 24
- Brisket PeachCoast BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 24
- Chicken Poppa Pig Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 24
- Pork Ribs SmokinGhost BBQ SJV Winter Rub · Jan. 24
- Chicken Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 24
- Brisket When Pigs Fly Family BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 24
- Pork POPPA PIG AND PORKCHOP 10th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge · Jan. 17
- Chicken Dogpatch Q 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Jan. 9
- Chicken Smoke Central BBQ 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Jan. 9
- Pork Ribs Stewey Magoos BBQ 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Jan. 9
The Ratings Market Power rating and the move over Jan 2025; # is the team’s place in the power rankings
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| BONE RUBBIN BBQ #634 | 1,654 | ▲ 33 |
| Big Johns BBQ Company #508 | 1,675 | ▲ 26 |
| SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ #530 | 1,671 | ▲ 21 |
| Big Boys BBQ #953 | 1,610 | ▲ 19 |
| ELITE BBQ SMOKERS #438 | 1,690 | ▲ 18 |
| Mad Dog BBQ #933 | 1,612 | ▲ 18 |
| Whachu Smokin | 1,514 | ▲ 16 |
| Dogpatch Q #259 | 1,737 | ▲ 16 |
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| Sons of Hamarchy #3,625 | 1,491 | ▲ 16 |
| K & E's Little Smokers #5,858 | 1,440 | ▲ 16 |
| Beards BBQ #3,371 | 1,496 | ▼ 20 |
| SMOKIN' SWEETMEATS #321 | 1,719 | ▼ 21 |
| Smoke Central BBQ #134 | 1,785 | ▼ 24 |
| AMERICAN FIRE BBQ #86 | 1,814 | ▼ 25 |
| LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ #101 | 1,807 | ▼ 28 |
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 two contests in Jan 2025.
- 1 Big Bear BBQ 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Elkton, Fla. 353.7144
- 2 Dogpatch Q 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Elkton, Fla. 353.1200
- 3 Electro-Que-ted Lakeland Pig Festival · Lakeland, Fla. 353.1084
- 4 Whachu Smokin 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Elkton, Fla. 351.4288
- 5 LEE LA Q Lakeland Pig Festival · Lakeland, Fla. 349.6800
- 6 2 Guys Grilling 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Elkton, Fla. 348.5488
- 7 Mike's Backyard BBQ 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Elkton, Fla. 348.5372
- 8 Salt Run BBQ 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Elkton, Fla. 348.5256
- 9 Podunk Porkers Lakeland Pig Festival · Lakeland, Fla. 347.4172
- 10 PIPKIN CREEK BBQ CO. Lakeland Pig Festival · Lakeland, Fla. 346.2860
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
- 5th Mike's Backyard BBQ 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 6th Salt Run BBQ 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 7th The Bent Brisket 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 9th Sm'hokies 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 11th Bourbon Barrell BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival
- 11th SoSo BBQ 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 12th Liberty Smokehouse Lakeland Pig Festival
- 13th Saucey Hogs 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 16th F and G BBQ 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 16th Lil Dis Lil Dat BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival
- 22nd When Pigs Fly Family BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival
- 25th Mikes C-7 Lakeland Pig Festival
- 27th Cockah Doodle Que 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 27th RAD BBQ The Golden State Battle VII (Day 2)
- 28th Three Casual Smokers SJV Winter Rub
- 29th Bull and Heifer BBQ Team Lakeland Pig Festival
- 29th Smokin Spencer Q 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 31st Smokin Mexican SJV Winter Rub
What a first season usually looks like → · 5 contests also ran for the first time on record: 10th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge, 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam, The Golden State Battle VII (Day 1), Jaco Beach BBQ Challenge (ONE MEAT CHICKEN), Jaco Beach BBQ Challenge (ONE MEAT RIBS).
Best of Each Meat
Both series, out of 180
| Meat | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken†5 | Smoke Central BBQ 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam |
180 |
| Pork Ribs†3 | Stewey Magoos BBQ 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam |
180 |
| Pork†4 | POPPA PIG AND PORKCHOP 10th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge |
180 |
| Brisket†3 | PeachCoast BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GETTIN' BASTED | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 5TH GEAR BBQ | 3 | — | 3 |
| BONE RUBBIN BBQ | 3 | — | 3 |
| Mad Dog BBQ | 3 | — | 3 |
| Big Johns BBQ Company | 3 | — | 4 |
| Meat Candy Q | 3 | — | 4 |
| LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ | 3 | — | 7 |
| Chompa Q | 3 | — | 8 |
| SoCal Outlaw BBQ | 3 | — | 17 |
| Pops BBQ 22 | 3 | — | 18 |
| Beards BBQ | 3 | — | 25 |
| Cherry Anchor BBQ | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| ELITE BBQ SMOKERS | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Poppa Pig | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Bike & Grill | 2 | — | — |
Who Ran the Table
Contests worked · states & provinces
| Rep | C | St. |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Brinza | 3 | 2 |
| John Mann | 3 | 1 |
| Kelly McIntosh | 3 | 1 |
| Michelle Mann | 3 | 1 |
| Kathleen McIntosh | 2 | 1 |
| Mike Garretson | 2 | 1 |
| Bill Jones | 1 | 1 |
| Carolyn Wells | 1 | 1 |
| Dave Rogers | 1 | 1 |
| David Burstein | 1 | 1 |
| Del Anderson | 1 | 1 |
| Jeanne Titus | 1 | 1 |
| Jodi Harriss | 1 | 1 |
| Kent Harriss | 1 | 1 |
| Peg Rogers | 1 | 1 |
| Randy G Bigler | 1 | 1 |
Where They Cooked
Contests · teams
| State/Prov. | C | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 2 | 194 |
| California | 2 | 33 |
| Arizona | 1 | 68 |
| Nebraska | 1 | 32 |
Every sanctioned contest scored in this edition — 8 in all, newest first. Click a column head to sort; click a row for the contest.
| Contest | Grand Champion | High score |
|---|---|---|
| The Golden State Battle VII (Day 2) Jan. 25 · Hollister, Calif. · 27 teams |
Gettin' Basted | 703.4516 |
| Lakeland Pig Festival Jan. 24 · Lakeland, Fla. · 40 teams |
Poppa Pig? | 714.2744 |
| SJV Winter Rub Jan. 24 · Omaha, Neb. · 32 teams |
Shiggin aint easy | 697.1088 |
| The Golden State Battle VII (Day 1) Jan. 24 · Hollister, Calif. · 31 teams |
Cherry Anchor BBQ | 705.1428 |
| Jaco Beach BBQ Challenge (ONE MEAT RIBS) Jan. 24 · Play Jaco, 61101 · 12 teams |
Justice BBQ | 175.4400 |
| Jaco Beach BBQ Challenge (ONE MEAT CHICKEN) Jan. 24 · Play Jaco, 61101 · 12 teams |
Heifers, Butts & Clucks | 178.2972 |
| 10th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge Jan. 17 · Bullhead City, Ariz. · 48 teams |
Gettin' Basted | 699.3600 |
| 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam Jan. 9 · Elkton, Fla. · 38 teams |
Elite BBQ Smokers | 701.1316 |
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. ← December 2024 February 2025 → Latest edition
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