Lisa Oneal

Mar 02 2026

2026 Dilly Dally in Dooly Grand Champion Rescue Smokers

A HUGE thank you to Rhonda Lamb Heath (and team) and the Dooly Chamber of Commerce for putting on a stellar event for the Georgia Barbecue Association (GBA) family. 35 incredible teams came ready to battle it out. We enjoyed an outstanding field of competitors, with 9 different teams advancing to the Finals Round.

Reserve Champion Off the Chain

Loin Finals: 1st Place Grills Gone Wild; 2nd Place Big Butts BBQ; 3rd Place Jack’s Old South

Pork Finals: 1st Place Rescue Smokers; 2nd Place Pogo’s Porkers; 3rd Place Shark Bite BBQ

Ribs Finals: 1st Place Off the Chain; 2nd Place Union Street BBQ; 3rd Place Vienna Vol Fire Dept

Feb 22 2026

2026 Carroll’s Sausage BBQ Competition-Big Butts BBQ takes Grand Champion

The Georgia Barbecue Association had a fantastic day in Ashburn benefiting the Scottish Rite Foundation of Georgia. The first GBA contest of the 2026 Cook Year drew 26 teams to a wonderful venue at the Georgia Peanut RV Park, alongside Carroll’s Sausage & Country Store—held fittingly on Valentine’s Day.

The Scottish Rite Foundation partnered with Carroll’s Sausage & Country Store and Georgia Peanut RV Park to host the contest as part of the celebration and fundraising effort for its annual Outdoorsman Raffle. The raffle was a tremendous success, raising funds to support Georgia’s children and future leaders through RiteCare speech and language clinics for children with communication disorders and through college scholarships. Since its founding in 1980, the Foundation has worked to improve literacy, support education, and empower children to reach their full potential.

We enjoyed an outstanding field of competitors, with 7 different teams (27%) advancing to the Finals Round. After a long layoff from competition, 319 Q returned in strong form—making a Finals appearance in all three meat categories and earning Reserve Championship honors. When the sauce and smoke settled in the Final Round, Big Butts BBQ claimed the Grand Championship with an outstanding Loin entry.

Reserve Champion 319 Q

Loin Finals: 1st Place- 1st Place Big Butts BBQ; 2nd Place Raising Cain BBQ; 3rd Place 319 Q

Pork Finals: 1st Place Bad Rooster BBQ; 2nd Place 319 Q; 3rd Place Big Baer’s BBQ

Ribs Finals: 1st Place The Look and The Cook BBQ; 2nd Place 319 Q; 3rd Place Flying B BBQ

Oct 15 2025

2025 Red White and Blue BBQ – Off the Chain BBQ takes Grand Champion

What a weekend! The weather was absolutely GLORIOUS and the Georgia Barbecue Association (GBA) was proud to be in Canton on October 11th for a weekend filled with fun, recognition, and purpose — all in support of our Veterans and the Veterans Suicide Prevention Program sponsored by our incredible hosts at American Legion Post 45.

We were especially honored to have a few local Veterans from Jim’s Program serving as Judges and Assistant Organizers — an inspiring reminder of what this event is all about.

Jim Lindenmayer led a phenomenal team that made for a fantastic weekend! A huge shout-out to Susan and Helen for their amazing work at the front tables — and to Brian Bond, Warren Abrams, Jim Dehne, Ewa & Jerry Belcastro for keeping everything running smoothly all day long.

The GBA continues to grow and develop, and that’s thanks to dedicated folks like these! A special thank-you to Jerry Belcastro for firing up multiple delicious pizzas Friday night for a horde of hungry BBQ lovers — with his talented Pizza Shig’n Sous Chef, Carrie East working hard by his side!

What an incredible showing — congratulations to all our teams and judges! The camaraderie, the competition, and the cause made this weekend truly special.

Jim has already texted to say he’s looking forward to next year — and so are we!

Reserve Champion: The Look and the Cook

Loin Finals: 1st Place Off The Chain BBQ; 2nd Place Grills Gone Wild; 3rd Place Flying B BBQ

Pulled Pork Finals: 1st Place Off The Chain BBQ; 2nd Place Big Daddy’s BBQ Pit; 3rd Place Scott’s Smoke Shack

Rib Finals: 1st Place Big Butts BBQ; 2nd Place Dad’s BBQ; 3rd Place Magnum P.I.G

THANK YOU to our 2025 Georgia BBQ Association TEAM of the YEAR Sponsors- A BETTER BUILT FENCE CO .& DEXTER MEAT CO

Oct 02 2025

2025 Bryon BBQ Fest – IAW

The Byron BBQ Fest is officially in the books, and what a wonderful weekend it was!

It was such a joy to see everyone who came out to participate — and especially to reconnect with teams who make this contest their one stop each year. That makes Byron extra special!

A heartfelt thank you to Selina Hall and the Byron Welcome Center for the fabulous hospitality at North Peach Park. We couldn’t have asked for a better setting.

Behind the scenes, Brian Bond and Ewa Belcastro kept the scoring running smoothly, while Edward Vesely stepped up as Assistant Rep, supporting Jerry Belcastro and Jim Dehne as they gained more experience as Rep Trainees. The teamwork made for a smooth and enjoyable weekend all around. Most of all, a big thank you to every single team who fired up their pits, braved the weekend, and made this contest such a fun and spirited event. Your dedication and passion for BBQ are what make gatherings like this so memorable.

Chicken Results: 1st Place-Dad’s BBQ; 2nd Place-Free Smokers BBQ; 3rd Place-K&E Little Smokers

Pork Results: 1st Place-K&E Little Smokers; 2nd Place-Gittin’ Piggie Widit; 3rd Place-Smokin’ Deez Butts

Ribs Results: 1st Place-Rat Daddy BBQ; 2nd Place-Flyin’ B BBQ; 3rd Place-Heavy Metal Hogz

Stew Results: 1st Place-K&E Little Smokers

THANK YOU to our 2025 Georgia BBQ Association TEAM of the YEAR Sponsors- A BETTER BUILT FENCE CO .& DEXTER MEAT CO

Sep 08 2025

2025 Doc Holliday BBQ & GBA State Championship-Off the Chain takes Grand Champion & State Champion

36 GBA teams descended on Griffin GA for a full weekend of BBQ – the 2025 Doc Holliday BBQ Championship, the 2025 Georgia State Brisket Championship, and 2025 GBA State Championship. This is truly a one-of-a-kind event – it’s the only one where you can see recreations of the famous Shootout at the OK Corral – and has some of the most sought after trophies on the GBA circuit. HUGE THANK YOU to Will Doss and his AMAZING TEAM for another great event and thank you to all the GBA Judges for your dedication to our association!

Grand Champion & State Champion: Off the Chain