Back issue
Every sanctioned contest scored in January 2026.
Kansas City Barbeque Society · 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
FRED VEGAS SMOKERS Turns In the Month’s Best Card
708.5600 out of 720 at Lakeland Pig Festival — the highest Master overall scored in January 2026.
top 1% of every Master overall ever scored
LAKELAND, Fla. — FRED VEGAS SMOKERS put up 708.5600 at Lakeland Pig Festival — the highest overall of the month.
Across January 2026, 6 sanctioned contests were scored, across 4 states and provinces, drawing 353 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 342 top-ten calls and handed out 24 perfect 180s. 95 teams appear in the record for the first time. The full standings run on B1.
Every Grand Championship in this edition — 6 in all.
First one ever
GOD'S COUNTRY BBQ Wins Its First, on the 6th Try
A first Grand Championship at 11th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge, after 6 contests in the record.
6th contest — and their first GC
BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. — GOD'S COUNTRY BBQ won their first Grand Championship at 11th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge, in their 6th contest in the data.
Upset of the month
The Long Shot Comes In at 11th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge
The ratings gave GOD'S COUNTRY BBQ a 11% chance, with IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ the team to beat.
11-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings
BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. — GOD'S COUNTRY BBQ won 11th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge over top-rated IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ as the ratings underdog.
Perfect 180s
Judges Hand Out 24 Perfect 180s
Six cards, every one a nine — 24 times in January 2026.
24 perfect scores handed out
Six judges, every card a 9: 24 perfect 180s were handed out in January 2026.
Also in Jan 2026
Decided by 0.0004 of a Point
GOD'S COUNTRY BBQ edged Uncle Jesse's BBQ by 0.0004 at 11th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge.
Mike's Backyard BBQ Climbs 35 Rating Points
Mike's Backyard BBQ gained 35 rating points across 2 contests — the biggest climb of the month.
First Time Out, ANNOINTED BBQ Takes 1st
ANNOINTED BBQ finished 1st at The Golden State Battle VIII — the first contest they appear in anywhere in the data.
Mike's Backyard BBQ Tops the Backyard Board at 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
Mike's Backyard BBQ put up 355.4172 on the Backyard board at 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam — two meats, a different scale, and the same nerves.
63 Teams Roll Into Lakeland
Lakeland Pig Festival drew 63 teams, and Fred Vegas Smokers won it.
Nobody Hauled Further Than IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ
IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ cooked 3 contests in January 2026 — nobody hauled the rig further.
A New Contest Opens in Bullhead City
11th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge ran for the first time on record, drawing 53 teams, and GOD'S COUNTRY BBQ won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.
JEANNE TITUS Works Four Contests
JEANNE TITUS repped 4 contests in January 2026 — somebody has to run the table.
Perfect 180s
24 perfect scores — six judges, every card a nine.
- Chicken Burnin and Lootin The Golden State Battle VIII · Jan. 30
- Pork Cherry Anchor BBQ The Golden State Battle VIII · Jan. 30
- Chicken Poppa Pig The Golden State Battle VIII · Jan. 30
- Pork SoCal Outlaw BBQ The Golden State Battle VIII · Jan. 30
- Pork Barely Sober BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 22
- Chicken GLAZED AND INFUSED NEW JERSEY BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 22
- Pork IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 22
- Pork Ribs Rollin Smoke BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 22
- Chicken SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 22
- Brisket Smokin' Ain't EZ Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 22
- Chicken Stewey Magoos BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival · Jan. 22
- Pork Ribs GOD'S COUNTRY BBQ 11th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge · Jan. 16
- Brisket MAR-B-QUE'S BBQ 11th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge · Jan. 16
- Pork SLINGIN MEATS 11th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge · Jan. 16
- Pork Uncle Jesse's BBQ 11th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge · Jan. 16
- Chicken BAD ROOSTER BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Jan. 9
- Pork Ribs Big & Ugly BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Jan. 9
- Brisket GETTIN' BASTED 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Jan. 9
- Pork MAYA JANE BBQ CO. 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Jan. 9
- Pork Ribs Mike's Backyard BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Jan. 9
- Chicken Optimus Swine 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Jan. 9
- Chicken Rollin Smoke BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Jan. 9
- Pork Smoke Central BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Jan. 9
- Pork Ribs Smoke Central BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · Jan. 9
The Ratings Market Power rating, and the move over Jan 2026
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| Mike's Backyard BBQ #1637 | 1,555 | ▲ 35 |
| Clean Smoke BBQ Team #1075 | 1,596 | ▲ 32 |
| When Pigs Fly Family BBQ #1210 | 1,585 | ▲ 27 |
| Tillman's BBQ #543 | 1,668 | ▲ 21 |
| Pops BBQ 22 #2289 | 1,527 | ▲ 20 |
| Uncle Jesse's BBQ | 1,522 | ▲ 19 |
| ANNOINTED BBQ | 1,519 | ▲ 19 |
| GOD'S COUNTRY BBQ #1546 | 1,561 | ▲ 18 |
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| Rollin Smoke BBQ #144 | 1,780 | ▲ 17 |
| GRILL WORTHY | 1,517 | ▲ 17 |
| Tiquicia Smokers BBQ #4392 | 1,475 | ▼ 16 |
| Burnin and Lootin #46 | 1,850 | ▼ 18 |
| TRIPLE H BBQ #13 | 1,902 | ▼ 18 |
| TCB-Takin Care of BBQ #5500 | 1,450 | ▼ 21 |
| Glamping Grillers #247 | 1,741 | ▼ 26 |
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 2026.
- 1 Mike's Backyard BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · St. Augustine, Fla. 355.4172
- 2 Rollin Smoke BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · St. Augustine, Fla. 355.4056
- 3 Clean Smoke BBQ Team 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · St. Augustine, Fla. 354.8456
- 4 Rollin Smoke BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival · Lakeland, Fla. 354.2628
- 5 Dogpatch Q Lakeland Pig Festival · Lakeland, Fla. 352.5600
- 6 When Pigs Fly Family BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · St. Augustine, Fla. 352.0000
- 7 Rub N Butts 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · St. Augustine, Fla. 351.9772
- 8 Mike's Backyard BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival · Lakeland, Fla. 348.5716
- 9 Sleepy Pete's BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival · Lakeland, Fla. 346.8228
- 10 Big & Ugly BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam · St. Augustine, Fla. 346.2400
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 ANNOINTED BBQ The Golden State Battle VIII
- 3rd Diablicos BBQ Chiriqui Grill Fest Internacional
- 3rd HOPE BBQ The Golden State Battle VIII
- 4th GRILL MY SHEEP The Golden State Battle VIII
- 4th Sleepy Pete's BBQ Lakeland Pig Festival
- 8th Humo Chiriqui Grill Fest Internacional
- 9th Three P's BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 10th DrumQ BBQ Team Chiriqui Grill Fest Internacional
- 10th Mikes C7 BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 11th Pig Brothers Chiriqui Grill Fest Internacional
- 11th Pig Lebowski BBQ SJV Winter Rub
- 11th Wheeler's BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 12th Los Maes BBQ Chiriqui Grill Fest Internacional
- 16th T's Smokin Bones Bar-B-Que 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 20th F & G BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- 20th kidsPACK Culinary Crew Lakeland Pig Festival
- 21st GJQ George Jenkins High Lakeland Pig Festival
- 21st Mamba Smoke & Grill Chiriqui Grill Fest Internacional
What a first season usually looks like → · 4 contests also ran for the first time on record: 11th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge, The Golden State Battle VIII, 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam, Chiriqui Grill Fest Internacional.
Best of Each Meat
Both series, out of 180
| Meat | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken†8 | Optimus Swine 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam |
180.0000 |
| Pork Ribs†5 | Smoke Central BBQ 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam |
180.0000 |
| Pork†8 | MAYA JANE BBQ CO. 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam |
180.0000 |
| Brisket†3 | GETTIN' BASTED 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam |
180.0000 |
† a perfect 180 was scored in this category during the edition.
Who Showed Up
Contests · Grand Championships · best overall finish
| Team | C | GC | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | 3 | — | 2 |
| BrewsCue | 3 | — | 5 |
| Poppa Pig | 3 | — | 8 |
| FRED VEGAS SMOKERS | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Mike's Backyard BBQ | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Rollin Smoke BBQ | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Dogpatch Q | 2 | — | 2 |
| Clean Smoke BBQ Team | 2 | — | 3 |
| Porterhouse BBQ | 2 | — | 3 |
| Tillman's BBQ | 2 | — | 3 |
| Big Johns BBQ Company | 2 | — | 4 |
| Pork Bombin BBQ | 2 | — | 4 |
| When Pigs Fly Family BBQ | 2 | — | 4 |
| Kings BBQ Team | 2 | — | 5 |
Who Ran the Table
Contests worked · states & provinces
| Rep | C | St. |
|---|---|---|
| JEANNE TITUS | 4 | 1 |
| MIKE GARRETSON | 4 | 1 |
| CHARLIE BRINZA | 3 | 2 |
| ERNESTO URIBE | 2 | 1 |
| KELLY MCINTOSH | 2 | 1 |
| NATASHA LOEW | 2 | 1 |
| BILL JONES | 1 | 1 |
| BUNNY TUTTLE | 1 | 1 |
| CAROLYN WELLS | 1 | 1 |
| DAVE ROGERS | 1 | 1 |
| DEL ANDERSON | 1 | 1 |
| KATHLEEN MCINTOSH | 1 | 1 |
| PEG ROGERS | 1 | 1 |
| RICH TUTTLE | 1 | 1 |
Where They Cooked
Contests · teams
| State/Prov. | C | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 2 | 197 |
| Arizona | 1 | 59 |
| California | 1 | 45 |
| Nebraska | 1 | 38 |
Every sanctioned contest scored in this edition — 6 in all, newest first. Click a column head to sort; click a row for the contest.
| Contest | Date | Teams | Grand Champion | Reserve | High score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Golden State Battle VIII Riverside, Calif. |
41 | Loot N' Booty BBQ | Cherry Anchor BBQ | 708.5372 | |
| SJV Winter Rub Omaha, Neb. |
38 | Bocephus BBQ | MEAT ME IN ST. LOUIS | 705.7028 | |
| Chiriqui Grill Fest Internacional Chiriqui, +507 |
31 | Grill & Chill | 88 BBQ | 680.0112 | |
| Lakeland Pig Festival Lakeland, Fla. |
63 | Fred Vegas Smokers | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | 708.5600 | |
| 11th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge Bullhead City, Ariz. |
53 | GOD'S COUNTRY BBQ | Uncle Jesse's BBQ | 706.2516 | |
| 10th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam St. Augustine, Fla. |
38 | Maya Jane BBQ Co. | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | 706.2512 |
Contests Advertised
- SD BBQ Shootout @ Huset's Speedway — Friday, Sept. 4. Brandon, S.D. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Smoke on the River (Day 1) — Friday, Sept. 4. Burlington, Kan. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Barbeque on the Bow Festival — Friday, Sept. 4. Calgary, Alta. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Meat & Tater BBQ Fest — Friday, Sept. 4. Meridian, Idaho. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Meat & Tater BBQ Fest (ONE MEAT RIBS) — Friday, Sept. 4. Meridian, Idaho. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Certified Barbeque Judging Class & Table Captain Class - Mexico (Nuevo Laredo) — Friday, Sept. 4. Nuevo Laredo, TM. A certified judge class; enrolment through the Society.
- Smoke on the River (Day 2) — Saturday, Sept. 5. Burlington, Kan. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Certified Barbeque Judging Class & Table Captain Class - Mexico (Tampico) — Saturday, Sept. 5. Tampico, TM. A certified judge class; enrolment through the Society.
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 2025 February 2026 → Latest edition