Here are a few of the biggest barbecue competitions and their scheduled dates and times.   The biggest three – Memphis in May, American Royal, and The Jack Daniels Invitational get special attention at the top of our list with links to your local and state organizations below.

If you’d like to recommend an upcoming tournament just post it in the comments below or notify us via email at admin@barbecuetricks.com!

May 13-15, 2010 –Memphis in May’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is May 13-15, 2010  http://memphisinmay.org/bbq

Aug.13-15 Smokin’ Eagles International SEBBQ.com Competition

Septemer 30th 2010 – The American Royal Barbecue is the opening event of the American Royal and the season finale for the competitive circuit. Spreading over 20 acres in Kansas City’s historic Stockyards District, and with nearly 500 teams competing in four culinary contests, The Royal is the largest barbecue contest in the world. Combine this with a barbecue-related trade expo, this two-day food festival is truly the “World Series of Barbecue.”   http://www.americanroyal.com/Default.aspx?tabid=65

Prepare to Be Judged

October 2010 The Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational BBQ is an international event like no other. Taking place in the tiny town of Lynchburg Tennessee (population 400, plus or minus), the event draws 35 BBQ teams from around the world to compete for the US$15,000 in prizes.  http://www.lynchburgtn.com/Events/BBQ.html

Arizona Barbecue Association (ABA) www.azbbqa.com

California Barbecue Association (CBA) www.cbbqa.com

Florida Barbecue Association (FBA) www.flbbq.org

Greater Houston Barbecue Society (GHBBQS) www.angelfire.com/tx/ghbbqs

The Greater Omaha Barbecue Society (GOBS) www.gobs.org

International Barbecue Cookers Association (IBCA) www.ibcabbq.org

The Iowa Barbecue Society (IABBQ) www.iabbq.org/modules.php

Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) www.kcbs.us

Lone Star Barbecue Association (LSBA) www.lonestarbarbecue.com

Memphis in May (MIM) www.memphisinmay.org

Mid-Atlantic Barbecue Society (MABBQA) www.mabbqa.com/index.html

Mosquito County (FL) BBQ Society (MCBBQ) www.mcbbq.com

National BBQ Festival  www.nationalbbqfestival.com

New England Barbecue Association (NEBA) www.nebs.org

Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association (PNWBA) www.pnwba.com

South Carolina BBQ Association (SCBA)http://www.scbarbeque.com/events.html

Texas Gulf Coast BBQ Cookers Association (TGCBCA) www.tgcbca.org

World Barbecue Association (WBA) www.wbqa.com

Remember to post your cookoff with a comment below and we’ll add it to the list.

The TLC Show BBQ Pitmasters looks like a blast… They Just released the entire season on …  But here’s a quick clip that’savailable on YouTube plus a link to an entire Barbecue Pitmasters episode.  The show features Myron Mixon and other fantastic cookers.

Full Episode:

http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/bbq-pitmasters-johnny-triggs-shootout-full-episode.html

BBQ Tips:

http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/myron-mixon-jacks-old-south-grilling-tips.htm

Entire Season on iTunes:

Love a good Chili Cook-off?   This was a last minute – rush to slap together – concoction that just happened to be a crowd pleaser!   Unfortunately, it didn’t win with the judges in the office cook-off … but out of eleven other entries I heard some unsolicited (it was a blind judging) raves for it’s traditional chili taste and it’s hearty barbecue meatiness.   The winning chili was fantastic but was fairly eclectic with red wine and venison.

In a last minute / night before frenzy I decided to use a leftover pork tenderloin as the meat of choice.  It worked great… but feel free to substitute something a bit less expensive (like pork shoulder).     The lean tenderloin did however make for a low fat and overall healthy and hearty bowl of comfort.    Third place was still a favorite.

3RD PLACE BARBECUED CHILI

BBQ Chili With Tenderloin

1.5 lbs Pork Tenderloin (substitute leftover pork shoulder or pulled pork)

2 packages Chili seasoning mix

1 whole large white onion (diced)

5 green onions (chopped)

1 tsp prepared garlic

1/2 red bell pepper (sliced in slivers for texture and appearance)

1 – 15 oz can of black beans

2 – 15 oz. cans of kidney beans

8 fresh Tabasco peppers (substitute: 3 jalapenos) finely minced

2 – 15 oz. cans of diced tomatoes

4 fresh ripe red tomatoes - diced

1 – 15oz. can Tomato sauce

Brown cooked pork in oiled skillet. Add onions and garlic and cook until transparent.

Transfer to deep pot or crock pot, add the rest of the ingredients and simmer.  Add up to a cup of water for preferred consistency.  Serves 10 to 20.

What did they forget?

Be Prepared. It’s a long time motto of the Boy Scouts; but it could very easily apply to barbecue competitions.  There’s so much to remember.  So much you need to be ready for.  On top of everything you need to keep things sanitary!

The Kansas City BBQ Society has some pointers for prepping for your first competition.  You can get your supplies in our BBQ Shop powered by Amazon for the best prices.   Feel free to print the PDF  list below.  Share it.  Make copies (better yet just book mark this page)!  There’s a lot to keep track of.

Competition Checklist << Print This PDF

Competition Checklist
Have	Need	Cooking Supplies			Have	Need	Storage & Cleaning
		Aprons					Aluminum Foil
		Ash Bucket					Aluminum Pans
		Charcoal					Bleach
		Chimney					Broom
		Cooker(s)					Coleman Sink?
		Cutting Board(s)					Coolers
		Fire Starters					Dish Rags
		Injectors/Brine Pump					Dish Soap
		Knives					Dish Tubs
		Lighter/Matches					Dust Pan
		Paper Bags					Gloves (Grill & Latex)
		Pot Holders					Grate Wipes
		Propane					Hand Sanitizer
		Sharpener(s)					Hand Soap
		Smoke Wood					Paper Towels
		Spatulas					Plastic Wrap
		Spray Bottles					Toilet Paper
		Thermometers					Trash Bags
		Tongs & Cooking Utensils					Water Container(s)
		Turkey Fryer					Wet Wipes
							Ziploc Bags (1 Gallon)
							Ziploc Bags (2 Gallon)
Have	Need	Food/Drinks/Etc.			Have	Need	Miscellaneous
		Apple Juice					Banner(s)/Flag(s)
		Beer/Adult Beverages					Batteries
		Briskets					Bucket
		Butts					Bug Spray/Candles/Etc.
		Chicken					Camera
		Honey					Chairs
		Ice					Clean Cloths
		Lettuce					Cots/Hammocks/Etc.
		Marinade					Disposable Ponchos
		Parsley					Duct Tape
		Ribs					Extension Cords
		Rub/Slather					Fire Extinguisher
		Sauce					First Aid Kit
		Snacks					Flashlights
		Sodas/Water					Gasoline
		Whole Hog					Generator
							Paper Plates
							Pillows
							Plastic Cups/Koozies
							Pot Holders
							Silverware
							Sleeping Bags/Tent
							Spare Cooker Parts
							Sunblock
							Tables & Table Covers
							Tools/Screw Drivers/Hammer/Scissors
							Toothbrushes/Etc.