Back issue
Every sanctioned contest scored in May 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
SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS Turns In the Month’s Best Card
714.8572 out of 720 at Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana — the highest Master overall scored in May 2026.
top 1% of every Master overall ever scored
WARSAW, Ind. — SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS put up 714.8572 at Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana — the highest overall of the month.
Across May 2026, 65 sanctioned contests were scored, across 26 states and provinces, drawing 1,027 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 1,896 top-ten calls and handed out 119 perfect 180s. 211 teams appear in the record for the first time. The full standings run on B1.
Every Grand Championship in this edition — 64 in all. The 28 oldest are listed under Complete Results, B4.
- Q CARTEL Small Town Smoke Down
- Dang Good BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest
- Dawgs BBQ Spring into Summer Backyard BBQ Competition (BACKYARD ONLY)
- Mean Moe's BBQ La Classique - L'Entrepot de Viandes
- ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN Honeybee BBQ Competition
- WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026)
- Kings BBQ Team 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Wells Cup, Cocktail Ancillary, Dessert Ancillary (Saturday, May 23, 2026)
- Bone Rubbin BBQ BBQ, Blues & Brews on the Bay
- Big Johns BBQ Company Best Dam BBQ
- SMELLAQUE Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship
- Mean Moe's BBQ JACK9 Memorial BBQ Competition
- HOGPARTS SCHOOL OF SMOKECRAFT BREW'ERY Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship (ONE MEAT CHICKEN)
- SMOKIN' OUTLAWS Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- Keij Smokin' Hot Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 8the Edition
- SOUTH BRIXIA BBQ Knife Clash (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- SOUTH BRIXIA BBQ Knife Clash (ONE MEAT CHICKEN)
- Skinny Beans BBQ team BBQ Knife Clash
- K & E's Little Smokers 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: World Rib Finals (Friday, May 22, 2026)
- HOOS SMOKIN 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: World Chicken Finals (Friday, May 22, 2026)
- HotMess BBQ Big Knob BBQ & Cash Fest
- Click & Q Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 7the Edition
- Brookside BBQ Mass in May (Day 2)
- Humphrey's BBQ Mass in May (ONE MEAT CHICKEN)
- Paddy McQ's Mass in May (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- The Fat is Where It's At Twin Valley Fire and Smoke (Day 2)
- Scuffletown Smokers Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana
- Sailor Nicks BBQ Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- Glamping Grillers Bloomin' BBQ Music & Food Festival
- Puddleduck BBQ High on the Hog Festival (BACKYARD ONLY)
- Mcadoo Heights BBQ Speed & Feed BBQ Festival at Darlington Raceway
- iBQ'n Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana (ONE MEAT CHICKEN)
- HotMess BBQ Twin Valley Fire and Smoke (Day 1)
- BBQ Symphony Twin Smoke
- Smokey GQ BBQ Fest - Chippewa Falls, WI (BACKYARD ONLY)
- Mar-B-Que's BBQ Luna County Heritage Days Festival
- Big Reds Backyard BBQ West Bottoms Backyard Barbeque (BACKYARD ONLY)
Hottest hand
Two Grand Championships in May 2026 for WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ
Nobody else in the field ran a hotter hand.
2× Grand Championships
WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ took 2 Grand Championships in May 2026.
First one ever
Big B BBQ Company Wins Its First, on the 61st Try
A first Grand Championship at Dr. George Smith BBQ Brawl (COMPETITOR SERIES), after 61 contests in the record.
61st contest — and their first GC
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Big B BBQ Company won their first Grand Championship at Dr. George Smith BBQ Brawl (COMPETITOR SERIES), in their 61st contest in the data.
Upset of the month
The Long Shot Comes In at Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 7the Edition
The ratings gave Click & Q a 14% chance, with BUNCH OF SWINES the team to beat.
14-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings
BOOM, 2850 — Click & Q won Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 7the Edition over top-rated BUNCH OF SWINES as the ratings underdog.
Also in May 2026
Judges Hand Out 119 Perfect 180s
Six judges, every card a 9: 119 perfect 180s were handed out in May 2026.
Decided by 0.0000 of a Point
The Fat is Where It's At edged B'S QUE by 0.0000 at Twin Valley Fire and Smoke (Day 2).
BBQ Hot Yard Climbs 31 Rating Points
BBQ Hot Yard gained 31 rating points across 2 contests — the biggest climb of the month.
First Time Out, Keij Smokin Hot Takes 1st
Keij Smokin Hot finished 1st at Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 8the Edition — the first contest they appear in anywhere in the data.
Rough Cut Q Tops the Backyard Board at Grand American Barbecue New York State Championship Open (OPEN FORMAT)
Rough Cut Q put up 703.9656 on the Backyard board at Grand American Barbecue New York State Championship Open (OPEN FORMAT) — two meats, a different scale, and the same nerves.
117 Teams Roll Into Lebanon
8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Wells Cup, Cocktail Ancillary, Dessert Ancillary (Saturday, May 23, 2026) drew 117 teams, and Kings BBQ Team won it.
Nobody Hauled Further Than SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA
SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA cooked 10 contests in May 2026 — nobody hauled the rig further.
A New Contest Opens in Lebanon
8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Wells Cup, Cocktail Ancillary, Dessert Ancillary (Saturday, May 23, 2026) ran for the first time on record, drawing 117 teams, and Kings BBQ Team won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.
13 Contests on One Friday
13 sanctioned contests were cooked on 1 May alone.
CHARLIE BRINZA Works Seven Contests
CHARLIE BRINZA repped 7 contests in May 2026 — somebody has to run the table.
Perfect 180s
119 perfect scores — six judges, every card a nine.
- Pork Bad Dog BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Chicken DANG GOOD BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Pork Ribs DANG GOOD BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Chicken DAWGS BBQ Spring into Summer Backyard BBQ Competition (BACKYARD ONLY) · May 29
- Brisket FIRE DANCER BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Chicken FIRE DANCER BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Pork JANKY LEG BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Chicken RAZORRACKS Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Pork ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN Honeybee BBQ Competition · May 29
- Pork Shiggin aint easy Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Chicken Swine Life Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Pork TRIPLE H BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Pork BULL IN THE RING 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Pork Buckeye Blue Smoke BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Chicken CHUNKY BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Pork COCAMOKE SMOKE BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Pork FRED VEGAS SMOKERS 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Pork GETTIN' BASTED 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Chicken HOLD YOUR HORSES BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Brisket JANKY LEG BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Chicken Leaning Jowler BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Pork MEAT ME IN ST. LOUIS 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Chicken Must B Smokin' Somethin' BBQ Team 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Brisket Phantom Smoke & BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
…and 95 more.
The Ratings Market Power rating, and the move over May 2026
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ Hot Yard #926 | 1,612 | ▲ 31 |
| Click & Q #2991 | 1,506 | ▲ 28 |
| Castleton Q #1170 | 1,588 | ▲ 28 |
| MEAN MOE'S BBQ #388 | 1,701 | ▲ 27 |
| Rub Sweat and Beers #2183 | 1,531 | ▲ 26 |
| SASSY SMOKE BBQ #876 | 1,618 | ▲ 25 |
| Brookside BBQ #1058 | 1,598 | ▲ 25 |
| SUSQUEHANNA SMOKERS #1007 | 1,604 | ▲ 25 |
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| B'S QUE #249 | 1,740 | ▲ 24 |
| SMOKIN' SWEETMEATS #333 | 1,714 | ▲ 24 |
| This'll do it BBQ #4318 | 1,476 | ▼ 23 |
| BELGIAN BBQ TEAM FIVE Q #1167 | 1,588 | ▼ 24 |
| Deviant Smoke #599 | 1,658 | ▼ 24 |
| Seve et boucane | 1,474 | ▼ 26 |
| COOKLOUNGE BBQ #191 | 1,760 | ▼ 39 |
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 15 contests in May 2026.
- 1 Rough Cut Q Grand American Barbecue New York State Championship Open (OPEN FORMAT) · New Paltz, N.Y. 703.9656
- 2 Yardogs BBQ Grand American Barbecue New York State Championship Open (OPEN FORMAT) · New Paltz, N.Y. 690.8000
- 3 Chester's Twisted Que SmokeHouse Barbeque Showdown (OPEN FORMAT) (REGISTRATION FULL) · Cambridge, Iowa 689.6228
- 4 Smokey Bros Barbecue SmokeHouse Barbeque Showdown (OPEN FORMAT) (REGISTRATION FULL) · Cambridge, Iowa 687.9544
- 5 Rudes BBQ SmokeHouse Barbeque Showdown (OPEN FORMAT) (REGISTRATION FULL) · Cambridge, Iowa 686.1944
- 6 Matt's Backyard BBQ Grand American Barbecue New York State Championship Open (OPEN FORMAT) · New Paltz, N.Y. 685.6572
- 7 Big Bear BBQ SmokeHouse Barbeque Showdown (OPEN FORMAT) (REGISTRATION FULL) · Cambridge, Iowa 682.8688
- 8 Smoke N Poke BBQ SmokeHouse Barbeque Showdown (OPEN FORMAT) (REGISTRATION FULL) · Cambridge, Iowa 682.8004
- 9 Bramble BBQ SmokeHouse Barbeque Showdown (OPEN FORMAT) (REGISTRATION FULL) · Cambridge, Iowa 681.6572
- 10 FIRE & SHINE BBQ Grand American Barbecue New York State Championship Open (OPEN FORMAT) · New Paltz, N.Y. 678.8000
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 Keij Smokin Hot Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 8the Edition
- 3rd Smoke Session BBQ Bear-B-Q
- 4th Bad Boys Best Dam BBQ
- 4th Beer League Barbecue Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana
- 4th Gaut's BBQ Smoke on the Seaway
- 4th Jalapeno Joe's Competition BBQ Big Knob BBQ & Cash Fest
- 4th The Smokin' Lab Transylvanian Steak & BBQ Fest
- 5th Beaver Field BBQ Transylvanian Steak & BBQ Fest
- 5th Goner BBQ Minnesota in May
- 5th Steelsmith's Smokehouse Smoke on the Seaway
- 6th AZ Buckeye BBQ Luna County Heritage Days Festival
- 7th New Chicago Transylvanian Steak & BBQ Fest
- 8th Shaky Swine Twin Valley Fire and Smoke (Day 2)
- 8th The Gentlemans Pit Society BBQ JACK9 Memorial BBQ Competition
- 9th BT's Meat Treats BBQ Fest - Chippewa Falls, WI (BACKYARD ONLY)
- 9th GQue BBQ JACK9 Memorial BBQ Competition
- 9th Raised on Smoke Smoke on the Seaway
- 10th Low-N-Slow Bro's BBQ Fest - Chippewa Falls, WI (BACKYARD ONLY)
What a first season usually looks like → · 12 contests also ran for the first time on record: 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Wells Cup, Cocktail Ancillary, Dessert Ancillary (Saturday, May 23, 2026), 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026), 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: World Rib Finals (Friday, May 22, 2026), 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: World Chicken Finals (Friday, May 22, 2026), Grand American Barbecue New York State Championship Open (OPEN FORMAT), Grand American Barbecue World Championship Invitational (COMPETITOR SERIES), 20th Annual Boss Hog State Championship Cook-Off, Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana, Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana (ONE MEAT RIBS), Bear-B-Q, Speed & Feed BBQ Festival at Darlington Raceway, 44th Annual Kennett Jaycees BBQ Cook Off.
Best of Each Meat
Both series, out of 180
| Meat | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken†46 | CROOKED PIGS Blue Compass RV BBQ Bash |
180.0000 |
| Pork Ribs†16 | B'S QUE Grand American Barbecue World Championship Invitational (COMPETITOR SERIES) |
180.0000 |
| Pork†36 | MCADOO HEIGHTS BBQ Bear-B-Q |
180.0000 |
| Brisket†21 | B'S QUE Grand American Barbecue World Championship Invitational (COMPETITOR SERIES) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| BEER TIME BBQ | 10 | — | 2 |
| Bourbon & Blues BBQ | 10 | — | 14 |
| FIRE & SHINE BBQ | 9 | — | 2 |
| BBQ Maestros | 9 | — | 4 |
| Buckeye Blue Smoke BBQ | 9 | — | 5 |
| Sailor Nicks BBQ | 9 | — | 6 |
| Colorado Bulldawg BBQ | 8 | — | 2 |
| WE WILL ROCK QUE | 8 | — | 2 |
| Meat Monarchy | 8 | — | 4 |
| WHEN PIGS DIE | 8 | — | 5 |
| SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| BAD ROOSTER BBQ | 7 | — | 3 |
| MAYA JANE BBQ CO. | 7 | — | 4 |
| OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE | 7 | — | 4 |
Who Ran the Table
Contests worked · states & provinces
| Rep | C | St. |
|---|---|---|
| CHARLIE BRINZA | 7 | 3 |
| JEANNE TITUS | 7 | 3 |
| BUNNY TUTTLE | 5 | 1 |
| CRAIG MAIDENS | 5 | 2 |
| DAVE ROGERS | 5 | 2 |
| HEATHER MAIDENS | 5 | 2 |
| PEG ROGERS | 5 | 2 |
| REGINA BODNAR | 5 | 2 |
| ABIGAIL NICHOLS | 4 | 1 |
| BILL WRIGHT | 4 | 1 |
| CAROL BIGLER | 4 | 2 |
| CLARA WILLIAMS | 4 | 1 |
| EUGENE WICKHAM | 4 | 2 |
| HAYMO GUTWENIGER | 4 | 2 |
| JAKE NICHOLS | 4 | 1 |
| JOHN SCHARFFBILLIG | 4 | 2 |
| JONATHAN B WILLIAMS | 4 | 1 |
| KIM WRIGHT | 4 | 1 |
| LAURIE TWETEN | 4 | 2 |
| LUCA FAMIGLI | 4 | 2 |
Where They Cooked
Contests · teams
| State/Prov. | C | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 9 | 243 |
| New York | 4 | 66 |
| Alberta | 4 | 61 |
| Missouri | 4 | 45 |
| Minnesota | 3 | 145 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 65 |
| Indiana | 3 | 55 |
| Massachusetts | 3 | 40 |
| Ontario | 3 | 29 |
| GG | 3 | 16 |
| Georgia | 2 | 91 |
| North Dakota | 2 | 76 |
| Michigan | 2 | 39 |
| Alabama | 2 | 28 |
| PZ | 2 | 16 |
| NO | 2 | 9 |
| Oregon | 1 | 34 |
| Nevada | 1 | 33 |
| Iowa | 1 | 31 |
| North Carolina | 1 | 30 |
Every sanctioned contest scored in this edition — 65 in all, newest first. Click a column head to sort; click a row for the contest.
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. ← April 2026 June 2026 → Latest edition