In this edition
Every sanctioned contest scored in December 2025 — 1 Dec to 31 Dec.
Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests
December 2025 in BBQ
The recap: every contest scored, every story, every board
Inside
The Stories
Score of the month
top 1% of every Master overall ever scored
BAD ROOSTER BBQ put up 709.6800 at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) — the highest overall of the month.
- a new contest record
First one ever
BAMA BOYS BBQ won their first Grand Championship at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT), in their 51st contest in the data.
- 5 Dec
Upset of the month
The ratings gave them a 22% chance
BAD ROOSTER BBQ won Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) over top-rated GETTIN' BASTED as the ratings underdog.
Perfect 180s
Six judges, every card a 9: 3 perfect 180s were handed out in December 2025.
- Pork Ribs ×2
- Pork ×1
Closest call
BAD ROOSTER BBQ edged ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN by 8.0228 at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT).
- Master Series
Biggest riser
BAMA BOYS BBQ gained 19 rating points across 1 contest — the biggest climb of the month.
- 1 contest
- now #2116 overall
State champion
Bad Rooster won Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT), a state championship, against a field of 21.
- Alabama
Biggest blowout
BAD ROOSTER BBQ won Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) by 8.0228 points over ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN — the widest winning margin of the month.
- field of 21
Biggest field
Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) drew 21 teams, and Bad Rooster won it.
- Demopolis, AL
Milestone
MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ cooked their 100th contest on record at Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT), with 1 Grand Championship along the way.
- 1 GC along the way
The Boards
Highest overall scores (Master · /720)
Best of each meat (both series · /180)
| Category | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken | GETTIN' BASTED Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) |
178.8572 |
| Pork Ribs ×2 💯 | Poppa Pig Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) |
180 |
| Pork ×1 💯 | BAD ROOSTER BBQ Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) |
180 |
| Brisket | Glamping Grillers Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) |
177.7028 |
Straight nines (perfect 180s)
On the move (power rating)
| Team | Rating | Dec 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| BAMA BOYS BBQ No. 2,116 in the power rankings |
1,534 | +19 |
| Blue Smoke Q No. 664 in the power rankings |
1,647 | +13 |
| BAD ROOSTER BBQ No. 199 in the power rankings |
1,757 | +11 |
| MSqUe | 1,502 | +11 |
| RIBLIFE No. 223 in the power rankings |
1,750 | +8 |
| Southern Swine No. 889 in the power rankings |
1,618 | +7 |
| Rollin Smoke BBQ No. 154 in the power rankings |
1,777 | +6 |
| ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN No. 8 in the power rankings |
1,931 | +4 |
| Kith n' Kin No. 254 in the power rankings |
1,740 | +4 |
| Smoking Wizard II | 1,510 | +3 |
| Demopolis Church of God | 1,492 | -8 |
| Electro-Que-ted No. 140 in the power rankings |
1,783 | -8 |
| GETTIN' BASTED No. 11 in the power rankings |
1,921 | -10 |
| Kickin' Butt BBQ | 1,485 | -10 |
| Organizer Portal No. 95 in the power rankings |
1,812 | -12 |
Who showed up
| Team | Contests | GCs | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAD ROOSTER BBQ | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| BAMA BOYS BBQ | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RIBLIFE | 1 | — | 2 |
| ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | 1 | — | 2 |
| Blue Smoke Q | 1 | — | 3 |
| Rollin Smoke BBQ | 1 | — | 3 |
| Poppa Pig | 1 | — | 4 |
| Smokey Bees BBQ - MS | 1 | — | 4 |
| Kith n' Kin | 1 | — | 5 |
| MSqUe | 1 | — | 5 |
| Glamping Grillers | 1 | — | 6 |
| Southern Swine | 1 | — | 6 |
| GETTIN' BASTED | 1 | — | 7 |
| RAZORRACKS | 1 | — | 8 |
| MEMPHIS ORIGINAL BBQ | 1 | — | 9 |
Who ran the table
| Rep | Contests | States |
|---|---|---|
| Carol Bigler | 1 | 1 |
| Debra Gage | 1 | 1 |
| Randy G Bigler | 1 | 1 |
Where they cooked
| State/Prov. | Contests | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 | 27 |
New to the circuit
Every contest scored (1 in December 2025)
| Contest | Grand Champion | score |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas on the River State Bar B Q Championship (OPEN FORMAT) Dec 5, 2025 · Demopolis, AL · 21 teams |
Bad Rooster RC: ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN |
709.6800 |
The Archive
Every month with scored results, back to the start of the data. Subscribe to the monthly feed and each one lands as it closes.
2026 (338 contests) · the 2026 season in review
2025 (386 contests) · the 2025 season in review
2024 (343 contests) · the 2024 season in review
2023 (376 contests) · the 2023 season in review
2022 (376 contests) · the 2022 season in review
2021 (310 contests) · the 2021 season in review
2020 (134 contests) · the 2020 season in review
2019 (430 contests) · the 2019 season in review
2018 (480 contests) · the 2018 season in review
2017 (517 contests) · the 2017 season in review
2016 (505 contests) · the 2016 season in review
2015 (494 contests) · the 2015 season in review
2014 (469 contests) · the 2014 season in review
2013 (436 contests) · the 2013 season in review
2012 (1 contest) · the 2012 season in review
Every figure here is computed from the public results at kcbs.us, refreshed nightly. The Smoke Ring is not a publication of the Kansas City Barbeque Society.