Those Were The Days barbecue showdown held last weekend had a record 15 teams compete for more than $5,000 in cash and prizes.
2015 was the first year the barbecue showdown was sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society and because there were 15 teams it became a qualifying competition for teams to enter the Kansas City Royal.
KCBS representatives flew in from the United States to perform their duties as head judges for the competition as well as teach a judge’s class Friday evening, 16 people took the class, some coming from as far away as Calgary, Alta. Students were taught the criteria for judging professional barbecue and each will receive a KCBS numbered badge that gives them the privilege of judging KCBS barbecue competitions. In many competitions, judging is fierce and there are waiting lists for those who want to judge.
The barbecue showdown had six categories the teams could enter. All teams had to enter the four main meat categories to gain qualifying status for the Royal. These four categories were chicken, pork ribs, pork butt and brisket. There were also a Mystery Box Challenge and a People’s Choice, which were optional for the teams to enter.
The overall grand championship was awarded to the Arrowhead North team of White City. In second place, taking the reserve grand championship were the Saucy Dawgs BBQ team of Moosomin.
Winners in each category were: chicken - Arrowhead North; pork ribs - Bear B Que of Outlook; pork butt - Gettin’ Sauced of Lethbridge, Alta., who received a perfect score in this category; and brisket - Big North BBQ of Blackfalds, Alta.
In the Mystery Box Challenge, nine teams entered and were given Northern pike, purple beans and saskatoon berries. They had four hours in which to plan their meal, prepare and present it to a panel of six judges. Coming out on top was the Smokin’ Sowbellies of Peace River, Alta.
The People’s Choice challenge was held Sunday only and visitors to Those Were The Days came to taste and vote for their favorite. Eleven teams entered this category and the clear winner after two hours of voting was Arrowhead North.
