Category: GBA Documents

May 09 2026

2026 Smokin on Blackshear BBQ & Balloons-Grills Gone Wild-Grand Champion

What a weekend to remember! With 31 Pro Teams and 9 IAW Teams, Blackshear was full of smoke, flavor, laughter—and some incredible hot air balloons lighting up the sky.

A huge thank you to Linda Hawkins and the Veterans State Park crew at Georgia Veterans State Park for hosting such a fantastic event. From the beautiful balloon displays to a well-run cook-off, the entire weekend was first-class.

It was an exciting finish with all three category winners still in contention—and a huge congratulations to Grills Gone Wild on their FIRST EVER Grand Championship! That’s a moment no one there will forget.

Reserve Champion Rustic Que

The quality of food was outstanding, and we were excited to award three 600 stickers in the preliminary round: Loin – Rescue Smokers; Pork – Off the Chain; Pork – Against The Grain

Loin Results: 1st Place Grills Gone Wild; 2nd Place Rustic Que; 3rd Place Rescue Smokers

Pork Results: 1st Place Against the Grain; 2nd Place Off The Chain; 3rd Place Big Daddy’s Meat House

Ribs Results: 1st Place 319 Que; 2nd Place Rustic Que; 3rd Place The Look and The Cook

IAW Results

  • Loin – Meat Show
  • Pork – Almost There BBQ
  • Ribs – Meat Show
  • Best of Blackshear – Meat Show

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

Aug 27 2025

2025 Sylvester Swine Festival – Dad’s BBQ takes Grand Champion

A HUGE thank you to Karen Gaughf Singletary and the City of Sylvester for once again rolling out the red carpet and putting on a stellar event for the Georgia Barbecue Association (GBA) family.
27 incredible teams came ready to battle it out in Loin, Pulled Pork, and Ribs… and if that wasn’t enough, Mother Nature threw in a Friday night monsoon just to test everyone’s grit.
These pitmasters proved they’re tough as nails — this contest was not for the faint of heart!

Grand Champion: Dad’s BBQ

Reserve Champion: The Look and The Cook BBQ

Loin Finals: 1st Place Pig EEEE Liscious; 2nd Place Bite My Butt BBQ; 3rd Place The Look and The Cook BBQ

Pulled Pork Finals: 1st Place Big Butts BBQ; 2nd Place Big Daddy’s Meat House; 3rd Place Real-liscious Q

Rib Finals: 1st Place Dad’s BBQ; 2nd Place The Look and The Cook; 3rd Place Big Daddy’s Meat House

Congratulations to our 2 new Master Judges: John Kelley and Rhonda Hitch

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

Mar 21 2025

BACK to BACK Grand Championships for THE LOOK and the COOK BBQ Team with their win at the Firehouse BBQ in Donalsonville, GA

Wow what a weekend! The GBA would like to tip its hat to Tori Gravlee and the Donalsonville DDA for hosting the Firehouse BBQ Festival this past weekend in Donalsonville GA. We had 21 Pro Teams who split over $10,000 in prize money! HUGE THANK YOU to all of the amazing GBA Judges and Reps that made the track down South for some great BBQ. Congratulations to The Look and the Cook on going Back to Back, winning the Grand Championship with their 1st Place Ribs. We would like to give Keith Bowen and the Fish Fry Crew a huge shout out for frying up some of the best Catfish ever, Great Hush Puppies, French fries, and all the other sides and deserts. Thank you to Lisa Oliver O’Neal who coordinated the sides for the Fish Fry. Donalsonville was the first of three

Leron’s BBQ had the most consistent cook of the day pulling off the Reserve Grand Championship.

LOIN CATEGORY

Bite My Butt BBQ took 1st Place in Loin, Flying Pig BBQ was 2nd Place Loin, and Shark Bite BBQ pulled in 3rd Place Loin.

PORK CATEGORY

1st Place Pork was Big Daddy’s BBQ Pit, almost destroying that poor table, 2nd Place Pork was Leron’s BBQ, and 3rd Place Pork Com’n Get It.

RIB CATEGORY

1st Place Rib The Look and the Cook, 2nd Place Rib Rescue Smokers, and 3rd Place Rib Big Daddy’s Meat House.

Loin, Pork, & Rib Category Results

Reserve Grand Scoring

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

If you’re looking for quality in your fencing needs, look no further than A Better Built Fence company. They install both residential and commercial fencing, serving the entire metro Atlanta area.

Dexter Meats is your go-to shop for quality meats, whether you’re competing on the circuit or in your backyard! They also offer ready made meals, and can cater any size gathering.

Also thanks to our 2025 Product Sponsors:

Mike’s Garage Doors – Need an overhead door? Got one that needs a little work? Call Mike Ratterree to schedule an appointment.

Bubba Grills – looking to upgrade your cooking game? A Bubba grill is definitely the way to go.

Sunflower Apparel and Promotions – If you’re in the market for team shirts, hats, aprons, etc.

Feb 11 2025

2024 GBA TOTY Banquet and 2025 Georgia Hall of Fame Inductions – February 8, 2025

The 2024 GBA TOTY is sponsored by “A Better Built Fence Co.” owned by Chuck & Carrie East of Covington, GA. They repair, replace, or install commercial and residential fence. They pride themselves in efficiency, quality, and making sure every customer is satisfied with the work provided. If you are in need of a fence give them a call at (678) 939-7027.

Congratulations to Rocky Cisneros of 319 Q on being the 2024 GBA TOTY!

11th Let's Smoke Something; 12th Bite My Butt BBQ; 13th B-Rads BBQ; 16th Johnson Boys and Girl BBQ; 18th Grills Gone Wild; 19th Big Daddys BBQ Pit