SLABS OF APPROVAL

SLABS OF APPROVAL is a competition barbecue team with 14 Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) contests on record between 2013 and 2017. Their best overall finish is 11th of 112 at the Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship (2014). They are ranked #2530 of 6,491 teams in the KCBS power rankings.

⚔ Compare with another team

At a glance (the record in numbers)

Power ranking

#2,530

of 6,491 rated · rankings

Rating

1519

peak 1543 · rated over 14 contests

Contests

in the data

First seen

Apr 5, 2013

latest Aug 18, 2017 · 4.4 years on the trail

Best ToY finish

#856

Master 2013 · every season

Grand champs

0 reserve

Category wins

4 podiums

Overall top-10s

0% of 14 contests

Avg finish

top 50%

overall standings

Best overall

677.0400 / 720

Master · Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship

Perfect 180s

1 🔥

Current form

638.53 ▼

last 5 Master vs avg 650.99 (-12.46)

Walk rate

57%

contests with a top-10 call

Best single call

180 🔥

Pork Ribs · Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship

Consistency

±14.15

spread of their Master overall scores (lower = steadier)

Strongest meat

Pork Ribs

avg 165.83 · weakest Brisket (156.61)

Road miles

430

across 14 mapped stops · furthest 59 mi

Schedule strength

36%

of rated fields were softer than their average draw (1548)

State championships

0 🏅

won from 4 state-championship entries

Master avg

650.99 / 720

14 Master contests · 0 GCs

Storylines (10 found in their record)

Each card leads with the number behind the story, straight from their results.

Perfect scores on the board

1 perfect 180

1 perfect 180 in the data — every judge at the table handing back a nine, all in pork ribs.

Pork Ribs ×1

High-water mark

677.0400 career-best overall

94.0% of a perfect 720

Their best day on record: 677.0400 at Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship — 94.0% of a perfect 720.

Master
Sep 26, 2014

Their season

2014 their best year

2014 was the year it came together: 3 contests, 0 Grand Championships and 1 category win, at an average finish in the top 37%.

3 contests
0 overall top-10s
1 category win
average top 37%

A tough matchup

11–2 behind in the head-to-head

Theslabs.com ahead in 85% of their meetings

Theslabs.com has come out ahead in 11 of their 13 shared contests.

The weak link

−9.2 points behind their best meat

Brisket is where the weekend gets away from them — it averages 9.22 points below their pork ribs, and turns into a call 7% of the time against 21%.

Brisket avg 156.61
Pork Ribs avg 165.83
1 call in 14 entries

A strong matchup

6–1 ahead in the head-to-head

Ahead in 86% of their meetings

They've finished ahead of ROADKILL BBQ in 6 of their 7 shared contests.

Pork Ribs nemesis

7 of 9 shared pork ribs entries lost

SLAPS BBQ ahead 78% of the time

Even in their strongest meat, SLAPS BBQ has out-cooked them in 7 of 9 shared pork ribs entries.

Show 3 more storylines

A September team

Top 31% average finish in September

Something about September: average finish in the top 31% across 4 contests, versus top 50% the rest of the year.

4 September contests
top 50% the rest of the year

The metronome

±1.96% swing around their own average

Their overall lands within ±1.96% of a perfect score of their own average — whatever the field, you know roughly what they'll turn in.

averages 90.4% of a perfect score
14 contests

A standing appointment

4 years running at one contest

They've cooked Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship every year from 2013 to 2016 — the contest they never miss.

4 visits in all
best finish 11th

Team of the Year (rank per category by season — the year links to the full board on kcbs.us)

Year	Series	Overall	Chicken	Ribs	Pork	Brisket
2017 ↗	Master	#2212 (60 pts)	#2286 (60 pts)	#1822 (120 pts)	#2260 (60 pts)	#2266 (60 pts)
2016 ↗	Master	#1511 (175 pts)	#1596 (175 pts)	#1493 (190 pts)	#1250 (260 pts)	#1156 (280 pts)
2015 ↗	Master	#1549 (145 pts)	#1742 (125 pts)	#1543 (170 pts)	#1270 (245 pts)	#1763 (120 pts)
2014 ↗	Master	#986 (319 pts)	#890 (404 pts)	#780 (469 pts)	#1161 (279 pts)	#1178 (264 pts)
2013 ↗	Master	#856 (349 pts)	#853 (379 pts)	#459 (709 pts)	#872 (374 pts)	#1036 (289 pts)

Overall rank by season

Teams like this (closest power rating)

The teams rated closest to SLABS OF APPROVAL, each with one reason worth a look.

78 rated teams sit within a point of this rating, so a place on this list means the numbers match — no more than that.

BAD BRAD'S BBQ

#2,532 of the rated field

1519 power rating

Contests: 14
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 21%
Peak: 1551

They've been 1551 at their best, 32 points above where they sit today — they're arriving at this rating from above.

rated over 14 contests
last seen Sep 25, 2026

⚔ Compare careers

BAYOU STYLE BBQ

#2,520 of the rated field

1520 power rating

Contests: 14
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 7%
Peak: 1534

Careers of much the same size, 14 contests to 14, so neither rating has had more chance to settle than the other.

rated over 14 contests
last seen Sep 16, 2021

⚔ Compare careers

M & K BBQ

#2,527 of the rated field

1519 power rating

Contests: 20
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 15%
Peak: 1533

20 contests and no Grand Championship yet — a rating made of 15% top-10 finishes rather than wins.

rated over 15 contests
last seen Oct 17, 2025

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Smokin' Barrels BBQ

#2,535 of the rated field

1519 power rating

Contests: 13
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 46%
Peak: 1554

Both teams' first contest in the data came in 2013.

rated over 13 contests
last seen Apr 11, 2026

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Smoking O's

#2,519 of the rated field

1520 power rating

Contests: 12
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 42%
Peak: 1522

Level with SLABS OF APPROVAL on power rating, which is the whole reason they're on the list.

rated over 12 contests
last seen Aug 24, 2019

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Blood Sweat & Beers

#2,526 of the rated field

1519 power rating

Contests: 11
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 9%
Peak: 1541

Careers of much the same size, 11 contests to 14, so neither rating has had more chance to settle than the other.

rated over 11 contests
last seen Jun 27, 2025

⚔ Compare careers

Familiar foes (most-met opponents in overall standings — one meeting per contest)

Opponent	Meetings	Ahead	Behind	Win rate
Theslabs.com	13	2	11	15%	⚔ compare
SKUNK RIVER BBQ	9	2	7	22%	⚔ compare
SLAPS BBQ	9	1	8	11%	⚔ compare
DIRT ROAD BBQ	9	0	9	0%	⚔ compare
T'S SMOKIN PIT	8	5	3	63%	⚔ compare
IHC BBQ	8	5	3	63%	⚔ compare
THUMP & STRUM BBQ	8	2	6	25%	⚔ compare
HUNKA HUNKA BURNIN' RUB	8	1	7	13%	⚔ compare
ROADKILL BBQ	7	6	1	86%	⚔ compare
POLITICAL PORK	7	3	4	43%	⚔ compare
PIG NEWTON	7	2	5	29%	⚔ compare
JAESTAR BBQ	7	0	7	0%	⚔ compare
KCQ	7	0	7	0%	⚔ compare
FUNNY FARM BBQ	6	4	2	67%	⚔ compare
GETTIN' BASTED	6	0	6	0%	⚔ compare

By meat

Category	Entries	Calls	Wins	Podiums	Best	Worst	Average	Avg finish
Chicken	14	2	0	1	173.7028	156.5600	165.09	top 46%
Pork Ribs	14	3	1	3	180 🔥	144.5028	165.83	top 38%
Pork	14	4	0	0	175.4056	153.0856	163.45	top 51%
Brisket	14	1	0	0	172	138.7660	156.61	top 60%

“Calls” = top-10 category finishes (getting called to the stage). Scores here are the final weighted totals KCBS publishes; per-criterion appearance/taste/tenderness marks aren’t in the public results feed.

By field size and state

By contest size

Field	Contests	GCs	Avg finish
Medium (20–39)	4	0	top 65%
Large (40+)	10	0	top 44%

By state / province (where the contests were held)

Where	Contests	GCs	Avg finish
MO	8	0	top 53%
KS	6	0	top 46%

Repeat visits (contests they've cooked twice or more)

Contest	Visits	Best	Avg finish	Last visit
Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship	4	11	top 31%	Sep 23, 2016
BBQ and Fly In on the River	2	29	top 64%	Aug 18, 2017
Sam's Club National BBQ Tour	2	16	top 74%	Apr 29, 2016
Smokin On Big Creek BBQ Contest Benefiting Operation BBQ Relief	2	32	top 53%	Apr 1, 2016

More numbers

Busiest season 2013 4 contests

Contests a season 2.8 across 5 seasons in the data

Most contests held in MO 8 of 14 contests · 2 states in all

Contests visited 8 4 of them more than once

Opponents faced 471 finished ahead 563 times, behind 428

Milestones (the firsts, the round numbers and the personal bests)

20171 milestone

Aug 18 Most recent contest BBQ and Fly In on the River

20161 milestone

Apr 1 10th tracked contest Smokin On Big Creek BBQ Contest Benefiting Operation BBQ Relief

20151 milestone

Sep 25 Peak power rating (1543) Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship

20143 milestones

Sep 26 First category win (Pork Ribs) Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship
Sep 26 First perfect 180 (Pork Ribs) Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship
Sep 26 Career-best overall score677.0400 Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship

20133 milestones

Apr 5 First tracked contest Smokin' On Big Creek
Apr 5 First call Smokin' On Big Creek
Apr 5 First overall past 90% of a perfect score662.2856 Smokin' On Big Creek

Power rating over time (1500 = average; recomputed nightly)

📈 Biggest rating jumps

Swing	Contest	Date
+12.6	Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship	Sep 26, 2014
+9.3	Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship	Sep 25, 2015
+7	Smokin' On Big Creek	Apr 5, 2013
+3.5	Apple Blossom Barbecue Contest	May 3, 2013
+3.2	BBQ and Fly In on the River	Aug 16, 2013

📉 Toughest weekends

Swing	Contest	Date
-10.5	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour	Apr 29, 2016
-7.8	BBQ and Fly In on the River	Aug 18, 2017
-2	Johnson County Fair BBQ Challenge	Jul 7, 2017
-1.9	Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship	Sep 23, 2016
-1.1	Smokin On Big Creek BBQ Contest Benefiting Operation BBQ Relief	Apr 1, 2016

Scores over time (% of a perfect score — tap a meat to add it)

Overall finish over time (top-% of field, lower is better)

Where they finish (overall)

Best vs average (by meat)

How entries end (by meat)

Season by season

Season	Contests	Category wins	Walk rate	Avg finish	Best overall (% of perfect)	Avg overall (% of perfect)
2017	2	0	50%	top 77%	89.4%	87.8%
2016	3	0	67%	top 69%	90.5%	89.3%
2015	2	0	50%	top 31%	93.1%	92.6%
2014	3	1	67%	top 37%	94%	91.4%
2013	4	0	50%	top 40%	92%	90.7%

Contest history (click a row for the event, a column to sort)

Date	Event	Overall	Chicken	Ribs	Pork	Brisket
Aug 18, 2017	BBQ and Fly In on the River Excelsior Springs, MO	55 / 65 (621.0632)	55 (156.5600)	13 (171.4744)	56 (154.2628)	60 (138.7660)
Jul 7, 2017	Johnson County Fair BBQ Challenge Warrensburg, MO	24 / 35 (643.3372)	7 (173.7028)	29 (153.7144)	18 (168.5600)	32 (147.3600)
Sep 23, 2016	Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship 🏅 Shawnee, KS	58 / 111 (642.7200)	43 (165.6800)	77 (156.5372)	89 (157.6800)	43 (162.8228)
Apr 29, 2016	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Overland Park, KS	28 / 30 (634.1368)	27 (158.8456)	26 (158.2400)	9 (167.9772)	29 (149.0740)
Apr 1, 2016	Smokin On Big Creek BBQ Contest Benefiting Operation BBQ Relief Pleasant Hill, MO	44 / 72 (651.3828)	52 (160.5716)	22 (165.7256)	65 (153.0856)	7 (172)
Sep 25, 2015	Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship 🏅 Shawnee, KS	20 / 112 (670.1712)	24 (169.1200)	18 (172.5484)	59 (159.9772)	27 (168.5256)
Apr 3, 2015	Smokin On Big Creek BBQ Contest Benefiting Operation BBQ Relief (Judges Full) Pleasant Hill, MO	32 / 71 (663.3600)	39 (166.2972)	22 (167.4172)	5 (175.4056)	55 (154.2400)
Sep 26, 2014	Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship 🏅 Shawnee, KS	11 / 112 (677.0400)	51 (163.9772)	1 (180)	29 (169.1200)	39 (163.9428)
May 2, 2014	Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Overland Park, KS	16 / 29 (643.9084)	2 (169.1656)	27 (144.5028)	10 (167.9772)	13 (162.2628)
Apr 4, 2014	Smokin On Big Creek - Benefiting Operation BBQ Relief Pleasant Hill, MO	35 / 75 (653.1084)	38 (164.5484)	17 (168.5944)	44 (162.2856)	46 (157.6800)
Sep 27, 2013	Shawnee Great Grillers State Championship 🏅 Shawnee, KS	52 / 114 (642.7540)	33 (166.2628)	21 (168.5828)	62 (160)	90 (147.9084)
Aug 16, 2013	BBQ and Fly In on the River Excelsior Springs, MO	29 / 66 (650.8232)	16 (168.5828)	33 (161.1316)	34 (163.4288)	39 (157.6800)
May 3, 2013	Apple Blossom Barbecue Contest St. Joseph, MO	16 / 39 (657.7140)	16 (165.7140)	2 (174.8572)	9 (169.1430)	29 (147.9998)
Apr 5, 2013	Smokin' On Big Creek Pleasant Hill, MO	22 / 74 (662.2856)	44 (162.2856)	2 (178.2858)	54 (159.4286)	39 (162.2856)

SLABS OF APPROVAL

At a glance (the record in numbers)

Power ranking

Rating

Contests

First seen

Best ToY finish

Grand champs

Category wins

Overall top-10s

Avg finish

Best overall

Perfect 180s

Current form

Walk rate

Best single call

Consistency

Strongest meat

Road miles

Schedule strength

State championships

Master avg

Storylines (10 found in their record)

Perfect scores on the board

High-water mark

Their season

A tough matchup

The weak link

A strong matchup

Pork Ribs nemesis

A September team

The metronome

A standing appointment

Team of the Year (rank per category by season — the year links to the full board on kcbs.us)

Overall rank by season

Teams like this (closest power rating)

Familiar foes (most-met opponents in overall standings — one meeting per contest)

By meat

By field size and state

By contest size

By state / province (where the contests were held)

Repeat visits (contests they've cooked twice or more)

More numbers

Milestones (the firsts, the round numbers and the personal bests)

Power rating over time (1500 = average; recomputed nightly)

📈 Biggest rating jumps

📉 Toughest weekends

Scores over time (% of a perfect score — tap a meat to add it)

Overall finish over time (top-% of field, lower is better)

Where they finish (overall)

Best vs average (by meat)

How entries end (by meat)

Season by season

Contest history (click a row for the event, a column to sort)

Career map (orange GC · green top-10 · grey the rest — tap a pin)