COMPETITION OVERVIEW
NOVEMBER 8-12, 2017
ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA
The World Barbecue Championship will bring the greatest competition barbecue teams, cooks and chefs together in Orange Beach, AL, to settle the score and name the World Barbecue Champion. The World Barbecue Champion will advance to the Final Table and see if ‘America’s Cuisine’ will rule the world.
Choosing from all the major sanctioning bodies and an open registration process, The World Food Championships will accept the champions of the world’s premier barbecue competitions to compete in Orange Beach.
This year, the World Barbecue Championship will be open to at least 100 teams at this year’s event. The WFC barbecue category continues to be a sanctioned KCBS event, making it possible for KCBS teams to earn those coveted Team of the Year points.
This allows the World Food Championships to have an open registration for the World Barbecue Championship for up to 50 teams. The remaining 50 spots will be designated as usual through select Automatic and Preferred Qualifiers and International Championships.
What will start as a host of the absolute best championship pitmasters will end up with just one winner… the World Barbecue Champion.
WORLD BARBECUE CHAMPIONSHIP
$10,000 GRAND PRIZE
Schedule and Rules
Competition Structure
The World Barbecue Championship features three rounds of competition.
Ancillary Categories: competitors will compete for bonus cash in the ancillary competitions, points and scores do not apply to the overall championship.
Competition Categories: all competitors will compete in the World Barbecue Championship and turn-in various meats that will be defined in the competitor packet.
Finalist Round: the top ten competitors in the opening round will face off for culinary supremacy in a special barbecue-themed finalist competition.
2016 Competitor Packets
How to Qualify
The World Barbecue Championship will be limited to the first 100 entrants who are fully qualified, registered and confirmed. Any qualified entrant who wants to compete after the field is full must seek a special exemption from the WFC competition committee.
The following event is an International Qualifier for the 2017 World Barbecue Championship:
Canadian Food Championships - Edmonton, AB Canada - 7/21/17-7/23/17
The following events are Preferred Qualifiers for the 2017 World Barbecue Championship:
Barbeques Galore Australian Barbecue Championship Series Winner - Australia and New Zealand - 2016
Battle of the Bones - Central Point, OR - 9/15/17-9/17/17
BBQ Gives Back Grand Champion - Urbanna, VA - 3/24/17-3/25/17
Cumberland Plateau BBQ Cookoff & Cruise-In - Jamestown, TN - 7/8/17-7/9/17
Shotgun Fred BBQ Showdown - Huntsville, TX - 2/16/17-2/18/17
Taste of America - 1st Place - Online - 6/1/17-7/5/17
World Championship BBQ Goat Cook-off - Brady, TX - 9/1/17-9/2/17
The following events are Elite Qualifiers for the 2017 World Barbecue Championship:
Wild Card Elite Division - Online - 4/5/17-10/1/17
The following competitions are automatic qualifiers for the 2017 World Barbecue Championship:
United States Events
Event | Location | Date |
---|---|---|
International BBQ Team Invitations | Various Locations, US | Aug 30, 2017 |
Culinary Fight Club | Various Locations, US | |
Culinary Fight Club | Various Locations, US | Jul 1, 2017 |
Springer Mountain Farms Special Invitation - Heather Sinyard | US | |
Rufus Teague Online Recipe Contest (BBQ qualifier) | US | Aug 11, 2017 |
Waitlisted World Barbecue Championship | US | Nov 8, 2017 |
Last Chance Golden Ticket (Jernard Wells' BBQ qualifier) | US | Aug 15, 2017 |
Cowboy Charcoal Fire & Ice Women's Championship Barbeque Series | US | Nov 1, 2017 |
Boda Getta BBQ | Auburn, AL, US | Mar 4, 2017 |
BBQ & Blues Cook Off - Backyard Only | Foley, AL, US | Mar 18, 2017 |
Corum's Building Center BBQ - Backyard Only | Hartselle, AL, US | Mar 18, 2017 |
Smoke on the Falls BBQ Competition | Gadsden, AL, US | Apr 7, 2017 |
Smoke on the Water Festival - Backyard Only | Florence, AL, US | Apr 29, 2017 |
Whistle Stop Festival & Rocket City BBQ | Huntsville, AL, US | May 5, 2017 |
2016 World Barbecue Champion - Luke Darnell | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
2016 World Barbecue Championship - Top Ten - 2nd Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
2016 World Barbecue Championship - Top Ten - 3rd Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
2016 World Barbecue Championship - Top Ten - 4th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
2016 World Barbecue Championship - Top Ten - 5th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
2016 World Barbecue Championship - Top Ten - 6th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
2016 World Barbecue Championship - Top Ten - 7th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
2016 World Barbecue Championship - Top Ten - 8th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
2016 World Barbecue Championship - Top Ten - 9th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
2016 World Barbecue Championship - Top Ten - Tenth Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
2016 WBC Open - Roy Griffin | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
Sam's Club National Championship | Bentonville, AR, US | Sep 30, 2016 |
Bikes, Blues & BBQ | Fayetteville, AR, US | Sep 20, 2017 |
Fordyce on the Cottonbelt Steak Cookoff (BBQ competition) | Fordyce, AR, US | Apr 17, 2017 |
Sticky Fingers BBQ Cookoff | Fordyce, AR, US | Sep 8, 2017 |
Santa Anita Park Winners' Circle BBQ Championship | Arcadia, CA, US | Apr 1, 2017 |
Gilroy Great Garli-Que BBQ Challenge | Gilroy, CA, US | Jul 28, 2017 |
Del Mar BBQ Championship | Del Mar, CA, US | Sep 1, 2017 |
West Coast BBQ Classic | Long Beach, CA, US | May 13, 2017 |
Colorado BBQ Challenge | Frisco, CO, US | Jun 15, 2017 |
Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle | Washington, DC, US | Jun 24, 2017 |
When Pigs Fly South BBQ Challenge | Lakeland, FFL, US | Dec 3, 2016 |
Mulberry Fine Swine at the Pit BBQ | Mulberry, FL, US | Oct 7, 2016 |
South Florida PRO BBQ Competition | Pompano, FL, US | Oct 21, 2016 |
Smokin' Flamingo | Jacksonville, FL, US | Nov 18, 2016 |
Orange Blossom Review | Lake Wales, FL, US | Dec 2, 2016 |
Southern Pines & Blues | Perry, FL, US | Dec 9, 2016 |
Sonny's Invitational BBQ Smokin Showdown and Steak Cookoff | Sanford, FL, US | Jan 13, 2017 |
Pigz in Z'Hills BBQ & Blues Fest | Zephyr Hills, FL, US | Jan 21, 2017 |
Smoke on the Water BBQ Competition - Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs | Winter Haven, FL, US | Feb 3, 2017 |
The Old Florida Outdoor Festival (BBQ competition Pro division) | Apopka, FL, US | Feb 10, 2017 |
Ribs on the Ridge | Haines City, FL, US | Feb 24, 2017 |
Eagle Lake BBQ Fest | Eagle Lake, FL, US | Mar 3, 2017 |
The North Port Sweet Heat BBQ Bash | North Port, FL, US | Mar 18, 2017 |
Indian River Twisted Tail Ribfest | Vero Beach, FL, US | Mar 25, 2017 |
Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash | Venice, FL, US | Apr 14, 2017 |
Smoke on the Water - Barbecue Competition & Music Festival | Fort Myers, FL, US | Apr 28, 2017 |
Smoke on the Water - BBQ & Music Festival | Thomaston, FL, US | May 19, 2017 |
Cocoa Village BBQ and Blues | Cocoa, FL, US | Jun 2, 2017 |
2015 World Food Champion - Loren Hill | Kissimmee, FL, US | |
Lakeland Pig Festival | Lakeland, FL, US | Jan 27, 2017 |
Smokin on the Bay | Dover, FL, US | Apr 21, 2017 |
2015 WBC | Kissimmee, FL, US | |
Que'n in Cumming - Day 2 | Cumming, GA, US | Nov 18, 2016 |
Barnsville BBQ & Blues Festival | Barnsville, GA, US | Apr 21, 2017 |
BBQ & Brews Festival | Canton, GA, US | Apr 28, 2017 |
Three Rivers BBQ Fest | Hazelhurst, GA, US | May 5, 2017 |
Dillard Bluegrass & Barbeque Festival | Dillard, GA, US | Aug 4, 2017 |
MBN: Big Pig Jig | Vienna, GA, US | Nov 4, 2016 |
KCBS: Boss Hog Cook-Off | Waynesboro, GA, US | May 12, 2017 |
Up in Smoke BBQ Bash | Mason City, IA, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
Central Iowa Expo BBQ & Cruise - Day 1 | Boone, IA, US | Apr 29, 2017 |
Central Iowa Expo BBQ & Cruise - Day 2 | Boone, IA, US | Apr 30, 2017 |
Sunrise Grilling Season Opener | Bettendorf, IA, US | Mar 25, 2017 |
KCBS: 17th Street Praise the Lard BBQ & Steak Cookoff - Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off - KCBS Grand Champion | Murphysboro, IL, US | Sep 21, 2017 |
Illinois BBQ Fest | Orion, IL, US | Aug 19, 2017 |
Wabash Ribberfest BBQ Championship | Mt. Carmel, IL, US | Apr 28, 2017 |
I-39 Smokin Car Show (Barbecue competition) | Minonk, IL, US | Jul 1, 2017 |
MBN: 17th Street Praise the Lard BBQ & Steak Cookoff - Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off - MBN Grand Champion | Murphysboro, IL, US | Sep 21, 2017 |
Central Illinois BBQ Throwdown | Peoria, IL, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
American Royal - Invitational - Reserve Grand Champion | Kansas City, KS, US | Oct 26, 2016 |
American Royal - Open | Kansas City, KS, US | Oct 26, 2016 |
Kansas City Barbeque Society (Special Invitation) | Kansas City, KS, US | Jan 13, 2017 |
Smoke in the Spring | Osage City, KS, US | Apr 7, 2017 |
American Royal - Open - 2017 | Kansas City, KS, US | Aug 31, 2017 |
American Royal - Invitational - Reserve Grand Champion | Kansas City, KS, US | Aug 31, 2017 |
BiAnnual TBIPAC BBQ Throwdown | Marksville, LA, US | Mar 11, 2017 |
Fire on Ice Barbecue World Championship | Onamia, MN, US | Mar 3, 2017 |
Big Island BBQ | Albert Lea, MN, US | Aug 25, 2017 |
Smokin on Big Creek BBQ Contest | Pleasant Hill, MO, US | Mar 31, 2017 |
Main Street BBQ & Bluesfest | Washington, MO, US | Apr 21, 2017 |
Pig and Swig | Kansas City, MO, US | Apr 29, 2017 |
Tupelo BBQ Duel #2 - Malcomb Reed | Tupelo, MS, US | Mar 17, 2017 |
Southaven Springfest | Southaven, MS, US | Apr 18, 2017 |
Tupelo BBQ Duel #1 - Eric Lee | Tupelo, MS, US | Mar 17, 2017 |
MBN: Mississippi Delta State Barbeque Championship/Octoberfest | Cleveland, MS, US | Oct 7, 2016 |
The Shed - Special Qualifier Invitation | Ocean Springs, MS, US | |
Montana BBQ Cook-off | Absarokee, MT, US | Jun 25, 2017 |
Hog Happnin' | Shelby, NC, US | Nov 4, 2016 |
Blue Ridge BBQ Festival | Tryon, NC, US | Jun 9, 2017 |
Peak City Pig Fest | Apex, NC, US | Jun 16, 2017 |
Granite State BBQ Championship | Hancock, NH, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
New Jersey State BBQ Champion Championship | North Wildwood, NJ, US | Jul 7, 2017 |
14th Annual Pork & Brew BBQ State Championship | Santa Ana, NM, US | Jul 1, 2017 |
Wind Rider Mountain Festival BBQ Competition | Ruidoso, NM, US | May 27, 2017 |
Smokin' On The Pecos New Mexico State BBQ Championship - Double Header | Artesia, NM, US | Jun 23, 2017 |
Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off | Sparks, NV, US | Aug 30, 2017 |
Pigs for the Kids | North Las Vegas, NV, US | Sep 23, 2017 |
2012 World Barbecue Champion - Greg Austin | Las Vegas, NV, US | |
2013 World Barbecue Champion - Victor Howard | Las Vegas, NV, US | |
2014 World Barbecue Champion - Jim Elser | Las Vegas, NV, US | |
Smokey Hayes Porkin on the River BBQ Competition | Laughlin, NV, US | Mar 4, 2017 |
NYC BBQ Cookoff | New York, NY, US | Apr 8, 2017 |
Bixby BBQ n Blues Festival | Bixby, OK, US | May 5, 2017 |
Black Elk Brisket Burnout - BBQ Grand Champion | Miami, OK, US | May 6, 2017 |
Black Elk Brisket Burnout - Grand Champion - Red's BBQ | Miami, OK, US | |
Black Elk Brisket Burnout - Brisket Category Winner | Miami, OK, US | May 6, 2017 |
Battle of the Bones | Central Point, OR, US | Sep 15, 2017 |
Keystone Classic BBQ Championship | Harrisburg, PA, US | Oct 7, 2016 |
Smoke on the Harbor BBQ Throwdown | Charleston, SC, US | Nov 11, 2016 |
Bands, Brews and BBQ | Port Royal, SC, US | Feb 24, 2017 |
The Original SD BBQ Championships | Huron, SD, US | Jun 2, 2017 |
Beresford's Wheels N' Squeals | Beresford, SD, US | Jun 16, 2017 |
Special Invitation - Tony Balay | SD, US | |
Bloomin' Barbeque & Bluegrass | Sevierville, TN, US | May 19, 2017 |
Cumberland Plateau BBQ Cookoff & Cruise-In - Day 1 and Day 2 | Jamestown, TN, US | Jul 8, 2017 |
Tony Stone Cookeville Cookoff | Cookeville, TN, US | Sep 9, 2016 |
Ooltewah BBQ Brawl | Ooltewah, TN, US | Apr 15, 2017 |
Atoka BBQ Fest | Atoka, TN, US | Mar 31, 2017 |
MBN: Arlington BBQ Fallfest | Arlington, TN, US | Oct 14, 2016 |
Memphis in May - Mark West | Memphis, TN, US | May 17, 2017 |
Chattanooga's Annual BBQ Festival and Competition | Chattanooga, TN, US | Aug 5, 2017 |
Chattanooga's ABFC | Chattanooga, TN, US | Aug 5, 2017 |
Bliss, Brews & Que | El Paso, TX, US | Oct 7, 2016 |
Hold'em Hit Em Club BBQ Cookoff | Houston, TX, US | Jan 20, 2017 |
Humble Rodeo & BBQ Cookoff | Houston, TX, US | Feb 3, 2017 |
World's Championship Bar B Que Contest | Houston, TX, US | Feb 20, 2017 |
Smokin' on the Rio | Mercedes, TX, US | Feb 24, 2017 |
BBQ Bash - People's Choice @ NBBQA Convention & Trade Show | Fort Worth, TX, US | Apr 1, 2017 |
Roughneck Chili & BBQ Cookoff | Luling, TX, US | Apr 1, 2017 |
The Summer Feast - Big Bad BBQ Challenge - Grand Champion | Sun Prairie, TX, US | Jun 24, 2017 |
Raider Red Meats BBQ and Ribeye Championships | Lubbock, TX, US | Aug 26, 2017 |
Shotgun Fred BBQ Showdown | Huntsville, TX, US | Feb 16, 2017 |
World Championship BBQ Goat Cook-off | Brady, TX, US | Sep 1, 2017 |
State of Texas High School BBQ Championships | Austin, TX, US | Apr 29, 2017 |
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Bar-B-Que Contest | Houston, TX, US | Mar 2, 2017 |
BBQ Gives Back - Female Pitmaster Invitation | Urbanna, VA, US | Mar 24, 2017 |
MABA Grand Championship Winner | Urbanna, VA, US | Mar 24, 2017 |
Virginia Grand Championship Winner | Urbanna, VA, US | Mar 24, 2017 |
BBQ Jamboree - Day 1 | Fredericksburg, VA, US | May 13, 2017 |
BBQ Jamboree - Day 2 | Fredericksburg, VA, US | May 14, 2017 |
KCBS: BBQ Gives Back - KCBS Grand Champion | Urbanna, VA, US | Mar 24, 2017 |
Chillin' & Grillin' in the Glades | Wise, VA, US | Jul 15, 2017 |
KCBS: 2017 KCBS Open BBQ Registration (Available on a first come first serve basis) | Various Locations, US | |
IBCA: 2017 IBCA Open BBQ Registration (Available on a first come first serve basis) | Various Locations, US | |
IBCA: 2017 IBCA Open BBQ Registration (Dennis Butterworth) | Various Locations, US | |
KCBS: Green Mountain BBQ Championship (For WFC 2018) | Randolph, VT, US | Sep 9, 2017 |
Event | Location | Date |
---|---|---|
ABA: Barbeques Galore Australian Barbecue Championship Series Winner | Various Locations, AU | |
KCBS: Meat Smoke & Beer - Grand Champion | Wels, AT | Apr 8, 2017 |
KCBS: Meat Smoke & Beer - RGC and Rookie of the Year | Wels, AT | Apr 8, 2017 |
Beer, Fries & BBQ | Limburg, BE | May 14, 2017 |
Eastern BBQ Contest - Belgium4 | Ninove, BE | Apr 15, 2017 |
Canadian Food Championships - BBQ Eastern | Edmonton, AB, CA | Sep 1, 2017 |
Canadian Food Championships - BBQ Western | Edmonton, AB, CA | Sep 1, 2017 |
Danish National BBQ Championship | Abenraa, DK | Jul 1, 2017 |
Cook-In-Camargue - Camargue BBQ Festival - France | Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, FR | Jun 24, 2017 |
Taste of the World - France | FR | Jun 1, 2017 |
Black Forest Smoke & Wine Festival | Bad Bellingen, DE | Jul 22, 2017 |
W.E.S.T. Winter Extreme South Tyrol BBQ Contest - Italy | South Tyrol BZ, IT | Jan 14, 2017 |
Smokin' Hot BBQ San Juan (BBQ competition) - Puerto Rico | Rio Grande, PR | Feb 18, 2017 |
Tony Stone Low and Slow - The Netherlands | Hoofdorp, NL | Jun 3, 2017 |
Q-Fest (BBQ competition) - United Kingdom | Devon, GB | Apr 28, 2017 |
Grillstock Festival - (Cook's Choice) United Kingdom | Bristol, GB | Jul 1, 2017 |
The Maldon Smoke and Fire BBQ Pitmaster Challenge - United Kingdom | Maldon Essex, GB | Aug 19, 2017 |
Grillstock Festival - (BBQ competition) - United Kingdom | Bristol, GB | Jul 1, 2017 |