Alaska Grown
BBQ Competition

No — the competition is open to all teams. No prior KCBS experience or membership is required to register and compete. However, KCBS members earn Backyard Team of the Year (BTOY) points for their results.

This event is officially sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), the world’s largest competitive BBQ organization. That means the competition follows standardized KCBS rules, is judged by Certified Barbeque Judges (CBJs) using blind judging, and results are recognized nationally. Two KCBS Contest Representatives oversee the event on-site to ensure compliance and certify results.

As a KCBS Backyard-sanctioned contest, competing teams earn points toward the national Backyard Team of the Year (BTOY) standings. The more KCBS Backyard events you compete in, the more points you accumulate. This is a great opportunity for teams chasing national recognition.

Entries are submitted in numbered KCBS containers — judges never know which team cooked which entry. Certified Barbeque Judges evaluate each entry on appearance, taste, and tenderness, and scores are recorded on official KCBS scorecards. Results are tabulated using KCBScore software.

Judging is performed by KCBS Certified Barbeque Judges (CBJs) — trained volunteers who have completed KCBS judging certification. The Alaska’s Choice bonus event is judged separately by local Alaskans, not KCBS judges.

Teams bring their own meat for the KCBS Chicken and Pork Ribs categories, plus all cooking equipment, fuel (wood, wood pellets, or charcoal), tents/canopies, and supplies. For the Alaska’s Choice bonus event, Alaska Grown pork ribs are provided at no extra cost.

Yes! The Alaska Grown BBQ Competition is free and open to the public. Come watch the teams cook and enjoy the atmosphere — no ticket required.

There are two KCBS-sanctioned categories — Chicken (noon turn-in) and Pork Ribs (12:30 PM turn-in) — plus the Alaska’s Choice bonus event featuring Alaska Grown pork ribs, judged by local Alaskans. All three are included in the $100 entry fee.

Fires shall be of wood, wood pellets, or charcoal. Gas and electric heat are not permitted for cooking or holding. Parboiling, sous-vide, and deep-frying are also not allowed. A fire extinguisher is required near all cooking devices.

The turn-in window is 5 minutes before to 5 minutes after the posted time. Any entry turned in after the window closes receives a score of zero — there are no exceptions. Plan your cook timeline carefully and time your walk to the turn-in spot.

Teams must maintain a clean cooking area and practice safe food handling throughout the competition. Keep all meat at safe temperatures (below 40°F or above 140°F) before cooking, wash hands frequently, use gloves when handling cooked product, and do not use tobacco products while handling, preparing, or cooking meat.

Disrespectful or unsportsmanlike conduct toward KCBS Reps, judges, or other teams may result in disqualification or eviction from the event. Other causes for disqualification include submitting entries with foreign material in the container (aluminum foil, toothpicks, skewers), turning in meat that was pre-seasoned, or using prohibited cooking methods.

The winner of each KCBS-sanctioned category (Chicken and Pork Ribs) earns an invitation to compete at the KCBS World Championships in Lebanon, Tennessee, in May 2027. Overall Grand Champion and Reserve Champion are also awarded, and the Alaska’s Choice winner is recognized separately.

The competition is limited to 15 teams on a first-come, first-served basis. The entry fee is $100 per team and covers all three events. Per KCBS rules, no refunds are given for any reason.

Meats may be trimmed at home but must not be seasoned, injected, or marinated before the competition. All competition meat starts raw — except manufacturer-enhanced products as shown on the label.

The competition is held at the Rebarchek Barn on the Alaska State Fairgrounds, 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645. Fairgrounds parking is available for attendees and competitors.