We don’t hate BBQ competitors or BBQ competitions—we just really love the everyday backyard BBQ warriors slugging it out on the weekends to make the best food they can for friends and family. Sure, many techniques overlap between competition and home cooking, but let’s be real—it’s like driving your Camry and trying to turn left like Dale Jr. Cute, but not happening.
If you’ve watched one too many BBQ competitions on TV and found yourself spritzing ribs every 11 minutes, injecting brisket with secret potions, and arranging parsley with surgical precision, we need to have a heart-to-heart. Don’t worry, this isn’t an intervention (unless you own more than four thermometers—then, yes, it might be).
Let’s talk about why regular folks should stop chasing that “competition BBQ” rainbow and get back to what grilling and smoking were always meant to be: simple, delicious BBQ that makes people happy.
Why We All Fall for It: The Sizzle of Perfect-Looking Food
Let’s be honest—it’s easy to see the allure. You flip on the Food Network and suddenly you’re watching grown adults in flame-resistant shirts crafting a $300 wagyu brisket like it’s the Hope Diamond. There are trophies, banners, and dramatic slow-motion shots of glistening meat. We’ve been part of those competitions—it’s thrilling!
You think, “Why wouldn’t I want to serve my family and friends the same award-winning BBQ that makes grown men weep on cable television?” If it’s good enough for a certified BBQ judge, it’s gotta impress your backyard crowd, right? Maybe. But here’s the catch...
There’s a real urge to give your loved ones the best—to show off some culinary flair, maybe earn a few “wow” moments around the picnic table. You want to take your BBQ game to the next level. And hey, maybe your Insta will finally get likes from someone besides Grandma Cheryl (why she has an account, we still don’t know).
That drive for perfection is great—it means you care. But here’s the twist...
Competition BBQ: Food for Judges, Not for Humans
Here’s the secret no one on TV will tell you: Competition BBQ isn’t real life. It’s pro wrestling for protein. Judges take one look, one bite—uno!—of your meat, and that’s it. So competitors pack maximum flavor, sauce, and sugar into that single bite. It’s BBQ engineered for a 15-second thrill, not a Saturday afternoon cookout.
Home BBQ: Food for People Who Want Seconds (and Thirds)
At home, you’re cooking for people who want seconds, thirds, and maybe a fourth trip if the shorts have enough elastic. The best BBQ is made by regular folks on slightly crusty backyard grills, with a cold drink in hand, kids running wild, and the smell of smoke drifting over hungry friends.
- You don’t need to inject your chicken with a science kit.
- You don’t need six layers of glaze (two or three will do).
- You definitely don’t need to sculpt parsley beds (unless that’s your thing).
What you do need: great seasoning (hello Errthang), patience, and a whole lotta love. Because real BBQ isn’t about impressing—it’s about connecting.
BBQ Is About People, Not Plaques
No one remembers the brisket that won a blue ribbon in Tulsa in 2017. But everyone remembers the night you burned the hot dogs because you were laughing too hard about “that one trip to Key West.” People come for the stories, the hugs, and maybe a slightly overcooked rack of ribs.
BBQ is about togetherness, sunshine, and that one uncle who insists he “makes the best potato salad.” (He doesn’t. You do. But let him have it.)
The People’s Choice: Where Real BBQ Wins
Here’s the fun part—at most BBQ competitions, the “People’s Choice” category is where the real magic happens. Why? Because the crowd decides. It’s not about smoke rings or garnish symmetry—it’s about flavor, creativity, and fun.
That’s where you’ll find melt-in-your-mouth burnt end sliders, brisket bánh mì nachos, spicy Bloody Mary chicken wings, or a pulled pork taco kissed with Sunburn and Fin & Fowl. The food people actually can’t stop eating.
Want to know what real BBQ joy looks like? Follow the line for People’s Choice. That’s where the laughter’s loudest and the flavor’s real.
Don’t Hate the Competitors
Let’s give credit where it’s due: BBQ competitors are absolute wizards. They thrive under pressure, in the rain, in the heat, in the cold—while guys named Larry debate garnish and pepper flakes. Hats off to them! But for us, the magic’s in feeding a crowd, turning up the tunes (yacht rock is optional), and letting the dogs and kids run wild.
If you want to inject your ribs with mango juice and coat them in six glazes, go for it. But if you just want to hang out, laugh, and grill up food that doesn’t need a scorecard—you’re our kind of people.
The Real BBQ Trophy: A Table Full of Smiles
So stop worrying about impressing a judge you’ll never meet. Focus on the folks in front of you—the ones licking sauce off their elbows. Make it fun. Make it messy. Make it yours.
Because the best BBQ doesn’t come with a scorecard—it comes with laughter, stories, and maybe a few extra napkins.
PS: Still want to try a parsley bed? Go for it. It makes a great place to hide the burned parts.