The heart and soul of the Blue Ridge Barbecue & Music Festival is the barbecue cook-off event. In addition, because this is the North Carolina State Barbecue Championship, the Grand Champion is invited to the Kansas City Invitational and eligible for the Jack Daniels Invitational drawing.
Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS), more than 90 teams from around the country are expected to compete for awards and more than $26,000 in prize money.
We employ a double blind judging method with certified KCBS judges to ensure a fair competition.
Quotable
“If you ever get to judge at the Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival, then you want to come back every year. It is a GREAT contest.”—Dwight Wilhoit
“This is the ‘Crown Jewel’, best of those I judge. Your Festival is important to me!”
— Arthur Jordan
"Thanks, I look forward to judging the best contest, the best organized contest, and the friendliest folks in the country. I have judged in Wyoming, Colorado, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina and I promise you, yours is the best."
- Tom Fischer
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is registration?
Registration for Saturday will begin at the open
air gym at 9:00AM. Judges that have not signed in by 10:30AM may be replaced.
Orientation will begin promptly at 11:00AM at the open air gym where the judging
will take place.
Can I bring a cooler?
Personal coolers are not permitted in the judging
area.
What is Anything But?
Anything But is an entrée competition held on Friday
evening that is anything except the KCBS Categories or Desserts. Click
here for more information.
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.
Can I bring my RV?
Spaces and hookups for RV’s at Harmon Field are extremely
limited and you must coordinate this well ahead of time with the Competition
Chair. See our places to stay for overnight
accommodations close to Harmon Field.
Application Information
Download a 2008 judges application
Send your application to:Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival
Attn: Competition
2753 Lynn Road, Suite A
Tryon, NC 28782
KCBS Rules
The
Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.
Download a copy of
the official KCBS rules and regulations.
