BBQ Competition

Now in its fifth year, the Buckeye BBQ Festival is a Kansas City BBQ Society Sanctioned Event and is recognized as an official Ohio State competitive event through a resolution signed by governor John Kasich.

This is a professional competition and all teams have paid an entry fee to compete.  The teams are judged by certified KCBS judges on how their food tastes and looks.  Attendees are welcome and encouraged to walk through the BBQ Pits and view the teams preparing their product for judging -BUT DON’T GET TOO CLOSE.    We ask that you respect the teams tight time lines and not engage them in conversation or enter their cooking area without being invited – this is especially  important on Saturday afternoon between 11:00 – 1:30 when the teams are feverishly working to prepare their turn in product.    The public is welcome and encouraged to walk through the pits and observe various BBQ equipment,  preparations and techniques as well as enjoy the incredible aroma of BBQ!   Competitors compete in the preparation of Pork, Ribs, Brisket and Chicken – Each meat type has a separate turn in time for judging.

      

NOTE: Competitors and vendors are required to prepare food in a manor and environment conforming to Butler County Health Dept. guidelines.  Also, please be advised that the public is welcome to view the judging process through the viewing sides of the judging tent however, THE PUBLIC IS NOT ALLOWED INSIDE TENT DURING JUDGING.

 Food Samples:  

When walking through the pits, DO NOT take anything from any teams cooking area; this may be their BBQ entry you just destroyed!!  BB teams are not required to make food samples available to the public.  Public food samples are entirely at the discretion of the BBQ teams.  If a team does not have samples available Please respect their wishes.  Samples may be available at designated times and areas.

BBQ for Sale:

In addition, top NON-Competing BBQ Vendors from across the region will have their BBQ for sale.  To find out more about who will be selling BBQ and other great food visit our “Vendor” page on this site. 

BBQ Awards :

 The awards ceremony will be on Saturday at 4:00 pm at the clock tower stage. The teams are competing for the Ohio state BBQ Championship trophy, prize money and a “Peoples Choice” award will be presented.

Peoples Choice Award (PCA):

PCA Is a Non-KCBS judged event where BBQ Teams offer up the best of their pulled pork BBQ to the public for their vote.   The winner is chosen through “The Peoples Choice” tasting ballot which can be purchased at the venue.  BBQ is judged on “Taste” and “Tenderness”. Judging will take place on Saturday from 2:00 – 4:00.  Tickets are limited. 

 

 ABOUT THE KANSAS CITY BARBEQUE SOCIETY

     

KCBS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbeque, is the world’s largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts with over 19,000 members worldwide.

KCBS sanctions over 450 barbeque contests world wide. From volunteering to actual event production, our members also offer assistance to civic and charitable organizations who organize events.

KCBS serves as a clearinghouse of barbeque information which provides:

• Networking with related trade associations and other contest-sanctioning organizations
• Tracking trends in barbeque related products, and equipment
• Teaming up with other food organizations and the media to promote barbeque

With their library, and extensive archive of barbeque related articles, KCBS offers educational programs, consultation services, and civic organization presentations to help promote barbeque as America’s Favorite Cuisine.