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The Blue Ridge Barbecue cook-off, the heart and soul of the Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival will again have $20,000 in prize money. The cook-off is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS). In all KCBS categories, we will be paying the top ten places.

Smithfield and KCBS have invited the Blue Ridge BBQ contest cookers to participate in the Smithfield Rib Super Series. The Smithfield Rib Super Series is a points chase competition across 10 KCBS sanctioned events with “bonus money payouts” for the top three finishers in our rib competition who are in the Smithfield Rib Series.

To enter you must register on the Smithfield Rib Series website: www.kcbs.us/Smithfield. After registering, participating teams will receive three complimentary racks of Smithfield Ribs to experiment with or use during competition. Further details are on the Smithfield Rib Super Series website.

2012 Cookers Schedule | 2012 Competitors

BBQ Festival information
In addition to money, these platters are examples of the top prize trophies; one of a kind fine art pieces made especially for our top winners by regional artisans each year.

Want to compete? Here's how

Who can enter the contest?
Anyone who loves to cook ‘em low and slow.

How much is it to enter?
ALL sites are $275.00. The entry fee gets you into all categories. The cook space is a minimum of 25' storefront X 30' deep. If additional space is needed, please note on the entry form. For teams that have an additional electrical need, there are a limited number of 30 amp, 125 volt spaces available for a charge of $50.00.

Do I have to compete in all the categories?
No, but to be considered for Grand championship you must compete in all four KCBS sanctioned categories: chicken, pork ribs, pork and beef brisket. All North Carolina teams are automatically entered in the Governor's Trophy. You can specify on the application if you’d like to compete in any of the other optional categories. There is no extra charge for any of the other categories.

What are the Friday night contests?
Anything But is the first category that is ‘anything but’ one of the four KCBS categories which will be contested on Saturday.

The second category on Friday night is Dessert. Dessert is a wide open contest where a cook’s dessert is his or hers own interpretation.

Anything But will be judged in a 9x9 container, and desserts can be presented in any manner the cook chooses. Just click on the above category to get further breakdowns of the rules for each contest.

What is Whole Hog?
This is a special competition for cooking the whole pig, not just parts, and the mastery lies in all portions being cooked to perfection at the same time. The whole Hog must weigh 75 lbs dressed. The contest will provide a 10 x 12 high pan for turn-in.

How many people can I have on my cook team?
There will be five wristbands that will come with your entry.

How many cars can my cook team bring?
We will allow only one vehicle, if it can fit into inside the dimensions of your cooksite in Hog Heaven. No vehicle will be allowed to park in front of the cooksite. All other vehicles can will be able to park in the adjoining area as you enter Hog Heaven.

Can I bring my RV?
We can accommodate most RV’s but you must coordinate this with the Competition Chair as space and hook-ups are limited. Click here for more information on places to stay in the area. There will be a $50 charge for a 30 amp, 125 volt breaker.

What is the Cooker’s Store?
The Cooker Store is a venue we provide and man to sell your sauces and rubs on consignment. This is a favorite shop for our Festival goers.

Thanks and good luck!

Application Information

Download 2012 cookers application

Send your application to:
Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival
Attn: Competition
2753 Lynn Road, Suite A
Tryon, NC 28782

If you need more info, please contact the Competition Chair

KCBS Rules

The Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival is sanctione by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Download a copy of the official KCBS rules and regulations.

Past Winners

Review Grand Champions and more from previous Festivals.