{"id":1444,"date":"2017-09-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-09-07T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.omahasteaks.com\/what-is-a-bbq-competition\/"},"modified":"2017-09-07T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-09-07T00:00:00","slug":"what-is-a-bbq-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.omahasteaks.com\/blog\/what-is-a-bbq-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Nebraska BBQ Championship 2017: So What Goes On at a BBQ Competition?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.6″ z_index_tablet=”500″ hover_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Another one in the books! The 2017 Nebraska BBQ Championship was held in Omaha, Nebraska on August 4th and 5th, and it was a doozy. Back-to-back KCBS barbeque competitions, SCA sanctioned steak cookoffs, kids competitions, live bands, barbeque sampling, and more. Omaha Steaks is proud to be the presenting sponsor of this event, and humbled every year by the incredible teams that come out and make it happen.<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019ve never been to one, you\u2019re probably wondering\u2026 what is<\/em> a BBQ competition? What exactly happens at these competitive barbeque events?<\/p>\n

Every competition and event is different, but there are many consistent elements. Here\u2019s what happens at ours!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Team Setup<\/h2>\n

\"Nebraska<\/p>\n

The day or night before, the BBQ teams arrive to set up. There is a designated area for teams, separate from the public area of the event. Some teams will come with giant gleaming stainless steel rigs built specifically for barbeque competitions\u2026 some teams are made up of locals with a couple of smokers and a can-do attitude. All levels of teams are welcome, and all levels of teams have won competitors. In the day or two before an event, these teams will be checking their equipment, setting up camp, prepping their food, and lying in wait.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Nebraska BBQ Championship had 54 teams, the biggest it\u2019s ever been. The teams take over the entire back parking lot of event venue Ralston Arena.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Cook Begins<\/h3>\n

\"Nebraska<\/p>\n

Most contests are judged at noon on the second day\u2026 and smoked beef brisket takes 12 or more hours to cook. That means the BBQ teams start cooking in the evening, and know full well that they\u2019ll be up all night. The smell of smoke and barbeque begins to fill the air the night before, and it\u2019s not going away for a looonnggg time. Most of the teams will be spending time with family and friends at their site, too, so they\u2019ll be cooking up other barbeque and grilled favorites alongside their competition entries.<\/p>\n

There are strict rules regarding cleanliness and food preparation for competition entries, and they\u2019re well known to every competitor. Even though they\u2019re set up in a parking lot, you won\u2019t find sloppy workspaces here.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Four KCBS Categories<\/h3>\n

\"Nebraska<\/p>\n

Every KCBS<\/a> (Kansas City Barbeque Society) sanctioned competition event features the same four categories: chicken, pork, pork ribs, and beef brisket. Competitors are generally allowed to prepare each meat to their liking (and to their learned knowledge of what judges like) but there are some general rules that apply.<\/p>\n

Chicken<\/h4>\n

Chicken can be whole, half, or any combination. It may include the skin (or be served skinless), and can include white or dark meat, bones or no bones.<\/p>\n

Pork<\/h4>\n

Smoked pork can be prepared from either portion of the pork shoulder, commonly called the Boston Butt and the Picnic. Whether the final product is pulled, sliced, or chopped is up to the competitor.<\/p>\n

Ribs<\/h4>\n

Both Spare Ribs and Baby Back Ribs are admissible, but \u201ccountry-style\u201d ribs (which are not really ribs) are not. Ribs can be sauced or naked, and must contain a bone when presented for judging.<\/p>\n

Brisket<\/h4>\n

Competitors almost always start with a whole brisket, but what they serve is up to them. Brisket can be sliced, chunked, and presented with or without the burnt ends. If a competitor turns in more than one example, the judges will taste each to render their score.<\/p>\n

Grand Champion<\/h4>\n

The Grand Champion of the competition is determined by an overall score of all four categories. Teams aren\u2019t required to make all four entries, but only those that do will be considered for the grand prize.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Events Open to the Public<\/h3>\n

Of course, a barbeque competition should be fun for everyone, not just those in the running. So most KCBS barbeque comps are part of a larger, open-to-the-public party. The Omaha Steaks Nebraska BBQ Championship had more to do than ever, and a bigger turnout to match.<\/p>\n

Tasting Tents<\/h4>\n

\"Nebraska<\/p>\n

Omaha Steaks Tasting Tents offered partygoers a chance to try Omaha Steaks products with a charitable donation. Everyone participating enjoyed steaks, burgers, brisket, and ribs from America\u2019s Original Butcher.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Demonstrations<\/h4>\n

\"Nebraska<\/p>\n

Live on-stage cooking and barbeque demonstrations were free and open to the public, offering lessons in smoking for both novice and experienced cooks.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Live Music<\/h4>\n

\"Nebraska<\/p>\n

Local Omaha acts appeared on stage both nights under a big tent complete with a bar and food trucks to keep the party going.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kids Zone<\/h4>\n

\"Nebraska<\/p>\n

The NBBQC had fun for the whole family, with plenty of kid-centric activities (including pony rides!) that ran all day both Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Competition Row<\/h4>\n

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\nVisitors to some barbeque competitions (Nebraska BBQ Championship included) can wander through the competitor lot and catch a glimpse of the pros. Some friendly teams will talk to you, show what they\u2019re doing, and possibly even invite you to their private party.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turn-In and Judging<\/h3>\n

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\nThe morning of a KCBS competition is all business. Teams are working full-stop to get all four entries ready exactly when they need to be. They\u2019re selected the best pieces (most teams will cook many of each category and choose only the very bets), plating them very specifically, and rushing to the turn-in table to get them in on time. Judging typically starts at noon and happens in this order:<\/p>\n