What It Takes to Win the World's Largest BBQ Competition - Smoke Point: The Competition

Over 500 pitmasters compete at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue in Kansas City, Kansas, in hopes of becoming the barbecue grand champion. Watch top competitors Tuffy Stone of Cool Smoke and Grant Basiliere of Que U fire up pork ribs, pork shoulders, beef brisket, and chicken in a fierce rivalry to win the title of best-in-class barbecue.
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Credits:
Producer: Connor Reid, Jay Simms
Director: Connor Reid, Murilo Ferreira, Jay Simms,
Camera: Murilo Ferreira, Carla Francescutti, DeVonte Brown, Jay Simms
Production Assistant: Bryna Vogel
Editor: Lucy Morales Carlisle
Executive Producer: Stephen Pelletteri
Supervising Producer, Operations: Stefania Orrù
Supervising Producer, Development: Gabriella Lewis
Audience Engagement: Frances Dumlao
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For more episodes of 'Smoke Point', click here: trib.al/wNBR1iD
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[@thomashernandez1738]

Where do I sign up to be a judge 😅

[@eater]

You'll have to come back next week to watch as we dive further into the judging process of the American Royal World Series of Barbecue!

[@Giveme100ksubs]

@@eater ok

[@Mactastic25]

Some of those judges don't look so healthy. Guessing many spots open each year.

[@grahamsong4585]

😂

[@jesselund360]

You're 20 years away from being a year away...

[@johnmarkmike]

20:38 "So what I do is I come, and I just hit it with some of my liquids" BBQ videos never disappoint when taken out of context

[@ZUCChinishrIMP]

Anyone else feels like there's no way they can accurately rank 500 teams just from 6 bites of each category...

[@dhvmpyr]

Way too many contestants… any human would get taste blind

[@jerryjerrylahngenhairy4724]

Butter sugar meat

[@skizztrizz4453]

Seems like it's a good excuse for doing what they love and great BBQ is a tasty byproduct. 🤔😂🤣

[@phillipcarroll6625]

There is no way. The competitions are pointless.

[@icebrg.]

Idk, I think that there are ways of making sure palettes are cleansed every once in a while for food judges. The way food looks is also a major factor, which is probably the greater factor for the larger food competitions. Flavor is so important, but the way it looks is also important.

[@OskeeWowWowIllinois]

I'm a KC local and my realtor competes in it and invites all his clients every year to eat at his tent for all the meat he doesn't send in for judging. Even the cast offs are delicious! He did a wagyu brisket last year that was like smoked meat butter it was so juicy. I think he placed in the Top 100.

[@andyhunter5869]

How was your post competition bbq poop?

[@OskeeWowWowIllinois]

@@andyhunter5869 Like a tub of Crisco and liquid smoke.

[@dustinsmith9212]

I bet even the 100th place finisher tastes delicious

[@andyhunter5869]

@@dustinsmith9212 not when it's a bukaki

[@um931]

Judges are looking for a specific flavour. Heavy on sauce and spices. Aaron Franklin did a competition and summed it up perfectly. They are looking for a very specific definition for brisket etc not neccessarily what the best BBQ spots sell.

[@devonm5037]

I've tried comp BBQ and its disgusting. Like they said its more a 1 bite and look thing. You cant eat comp BBQ youll get sick with how bold and rich it all is. But its a competition so I get it you're catering to what wins.

[@Mactastic25]

Butter, Sugar and Maple Syrup. You would think they're making a cake, not BBQ.

[@anothertarnishedone5960]

So, they look for the meat to don´t taste like meat at all.

[@PlaySA]

Honestly that looked way, WAY overseasoned. I mean ridiculously so. Barbecue doesn't have to have a million different flavors and ten layers of sugar, apple juice, maple syrup etc. I'd prefer a much cleaner meat.

[@Frogbjb]

They’re trying so hard to be perfect that they lost touch with what makes good bbq so good. All this food looks like it was made by a machine not a human.

[@AS__77]

BBQ competition videos are a hidden gem for out of context sayings. “It’s all about concentration on the best bone” 😂

[@maikepunkt1442]

multiple meats to worry about

[@TakeaSwigofTheJuice]

Huge pause

[@ClearGalaxies]

Those butts are feelin' good.

[@Gatebreakerglitcher]

20:38 😳😳😳😳

[@Bongz187]

I just want to be a taster, no judging, just tasting 😂

[@Ducktility]

Do you like dog meat?

[@usamaepekonis]

That venue must have the best smell in the world

[@markchristopher4165]

Appreciated how gracious both of these guys were when they didn't place this year

[@ChefBurns1]

Thanks for the spoiler 😂

[@avoidingtrees6692]

Humble respect from France !!!!

[@oldgruntbbq]

Y’all were just across the aisle from us at the Royal when you were recording Tuffy.

[@user-xl9hd2ez4d]

This is very educational.I love it.

[@willie123567]

All that effort to place that low, brutal!

[@rosameltrozo5889]

That low? almost 500 teams, not so bad seen like that.

[@willie123567]

@@rosameltrozo5889 I guess, coming off winning both titles last year 88th or whatever is pretty brutal

[@cococock2418]

yes that low. they hyped up the cool smoke guy as a 6 time 1st place champion, thjen he finisheds like 300th or something lmao@@rosameltrozo5889

[@bakunawa3191]

Tuffy Stone is really a great guy.

[@SlapMyGorillaGorilla]

Smoke Point bring us the Avengers of Smokepoint lol Where all the professionals meet in one place 😂

[@Ais4Drew]

I’ve been seeing a lot of comments about “how can they really judge the competitors offer a few bites” and wanted to mention some things I’ve heard from my short time in the industry that reinforces that exact idea. Trophies are nice. I don’t have any for my cooking/BBQ. But I do have a ton of friends and family who have smiled and told me that my brisket is “better than their dad’s” or “some of the best I’ve ever had”. Most seasoned cooks and chefs have told be the same thing. Competition is a young man’s game. They can be fun, stressful, and more work than it’s worth sometimes. A good award can really start your career off strong too. It can also give your carer a big boost as well - And props to superstar chefs (young and old) who grind it out and can perform at that level. But there’s a lot of politics, vanity, and inconsistency (as we saw in the video) that comes with these competitions and that coveted award - whatever it may be. A trophy will never replace the joy of nourishing and sharing a meal with those you care about. People get into this industry because they want to feed, entertain, and bring joy to their community. You don’t need a ton of bling to do that. 😎

[@justaguy328]

That's with any human competition. But there are a group of people that consistently perform better than others like Myron Mixon and Tuffy, and people like that, so you can't simply chalk it up to politics, vanity, etc. There are people who are just better at BBQ competitions than others.

[@v.tantov.14v]

world BBQ competition,,,??? really 😂 how many countrys on this competition??? even the sistem is not tournament n jugdes don't deferent taste all around the world BBQ 🤭

[@Descentperson4213]

I'm watching this at 3AM and I'm freakn hungry

[@Garylhairston]

Great to see what goes into competition bbq.

[@CharlieSmurffy]

As somebody who makes backyard BBQ, this looks nauseating to eat. Idk how the judges handle all that flavor.

[@anothertarnishedone5960]

Yeah, looks like they don´t want the meat to taste like meat at all.

[@Frogbjb]

They’re trying so hard to be perfect that they lost touch with what makes good bbq so good. All this food looks like it was made by a machine not a human.

[@LinkOmega1]

Oh man, what did the first place stuff look like?

[@honkiavelli8044]

I learned a lot in this video! :)

[@tomypreach]

Wow... A good healthy bunch of people.

[@SuicideStarboyy]

Great video! We need more videos covering BBQ competitions and who won 1st place?

[@ClearGalaxies]

Ikr! Also I like your name ⚫️

[@ClearGalaxies]

These men are amazing

[@bbqbourbonblues3257]

Awesome video! It's nothing like competition BBQ!!!

[@frequentlycynical642]

Huh? That's what it is.

[@bbqbourbonblues3257]

I know bro. That should say it's nothing better than competition BBQ!@@frequentlycynical642

[@jones68442]

Makes me miss BBQ Pitmasters and Pit Wars!

[@scuze__]

PETA gonna cry watching this lmfao

[@Chris-pd9hp]

Ever just watch something and smile… that’s what this is for me right now 😂

[@charlesorr5038]

Rod Gray CEO OF KCBS..didnt know, wow!! Love his rubs..most powerful...zero to hero..won me money in back yard kcbs!! Still use these rubs today at home.

[@shane864]

I will never not be entertained by watching people at the top of their game doing what they love. I don't care what the thing is. This is a show about humanity, not food.

[@Panster7]

"It's a one bite competition"

[@dylant8110]

Pockets are definitely getting greased here I bet

[@kamotetops1572]

17:23 The competitors are stressed out on handing over their final product, meanwhile... 17:53 The facilitators of the competition nonchalantly handling them. The competitors needs to take this into account.

[@dustinsmith9212]

Imagine how precise and next-level you have to be to beat out 500 other expert barbecuers

[@v.tantov.14v]

scum competition BBQ 🤭,,, the funny is they claim World competition BBQ,, 😂 how many countrys on this competition??? even the sistem n jugdes don't know how many deferent taste BBQ around the world 🤣

[@simmonsgoats]

Those are some TINY pits. Come on down to the HLSR late February to see some real barbecuing.

[@billzjr222]

It's been a while since I've seen Tuffy on tv. He was in the BBQ Pitmasters tournament with the legendary Myron Mixon, Johnny Trigg, and Moe Cason.

[@Jiiiiiiiytityiii]

What do they do with the rest of the food? Theres tonnes left over after judging

[@BornAgain717]

I had to pause it about halfway through and pull me a pack of chicken thighs out of the freezer...

[@jacked_senpai69]

Bruh . No wonder the judges are so fit😮‍💨

[@tepsan]

Where do I sign up to be a judge? :D

[@LittleKey93]

Amazing that they didn't even score well after all that haha

[@dmc3079]

Been there. It sucks.

[@jordanbabcock9349]

​@@dmc3079LOL. 400-500 competition teams and you couldn't find something good? You are the problem.

[@dmc3079]

@@jordanbabcock9349 I was referring to being in competitions and not scoring well even though I thought I did everything right.

[@dmc3079]

@@jordanbabcock9349 "You are the problem." - not sure what you are talking about.

[@whip8]

Makes you realize it’s about the table of judges you get, as opposed to just the meat.

[@Sajuuk]

Tuffy looks like he doesn't eat the food he prepares, unlike the judges 😂

[@mariodelgado9729]

Well the problem with being judged on flavor by a bunch of so called judges is SUBJECTIVENESS!

[@saturnv2419]

So en...... Are they still open for judge application?

[@NigelTufnel612]

Rod Gray has a great job.

[@raheemabdul1066]

that pork was swwet as a desert and placed 400+ in competition and he thinks he needs to improve presentation lol

[@colbyfaucett3372]

great video! maybe consider changing the thumbnail tho, the red border at the bottom makes it look like a previously watched video at a quick glance.

[@oldahe]

These guys are so advanced on technique. wondering what all of that sugar would do to my European palette..

[@spider2544]

At 8:28 what brand of bbq pits are those?

[@alexmartin8003]

Gateway Drum

[@DaraVODs]

if i had to guess, the skin splitting is probably the result of wrapping it too tightly when you tuck some of the skin under the meat of the thigh. having it sit a little looser would help with that

[@SheaT789]

not to mention it took 5.5+ minutes just to terrrine each thigh…I respect this guy’s efforts and passion, but he didn’t even temp the thigh without poking more holes in the skin

[@mikemurdoch9653]

YOU COULDN'T BE MORE WRONG, JUST STOP, STOP I SAY

[@TearitoffE]

You know your the real deal when you got 1st place bbq trophies throughout your whole bbq restaurant

[@Zalkard]

Dude sounds like John Goodman

[@Stopstalkingme-]

Wow

[@Frogbjb]

Is it just me or does all the perfection and making it look pretty really destroy the appeal to all this. I love bbq for all the little imperfections. I want my bbq to be stacked up on a tray and I want each bite to make me think “wow, I’d do anything to have that bite again”. Once you achieve perfection, it’s gone, and it’s no longer perfect. These people are trying so hard to be perfect that they’ve lost touch with what makes bbq so amazing to begin with.

[@Ted_P]

There are some questions and misconceptions in the comments. Competition BBQ really isn’t the same as restaurant or home cooked BBQ. It is prepared to a specific standard based on (in this case) KCBS judging. It’s judged on appearance, taste and texture with taste weighted 4 times more than appearance in the score calculations. This is a World championship as the KCBS is an international organization sanctioning contents in a good number of countries. For example, Australia, Italy, Netherlands…. Of course, travel to the US and securing equipment and food would likely be prohibitively expensive. Not as much food is wasted as it appears. Judges are allowed to take home what they judged and left overs are collected and shared with staff and volunteers and in some cases donated. Anyone can be a judge. You will need to join the Kansas City BBQ Association and sign up for a Certified BBQ Judging course. My experience is with KCBS, there are many other organizations that sanction events.

[@corgeousgeorge]

Who do I have to NOT sleep with in order to get on this Judging panel?!

[@ACT1O1]

So how do I become a judge ?

[@Stopstalkingme-]

W video

[@jerryadams2539]

Thank you for explaining that fall off the bone is over cooked the most misused term in BBQ!

[@BLACKS4BBB]

So make a video of the top contenders.

[@ciambellina]

The world: let's put some salt an pepper on our good meat US: let's get any crap we can find in a plastic tray, cover it in excessive spices and inject it with some oversugared apple juice 😂

[@kiranvajjha9731]

looks like a meaty paradise. Wish i was around

[@Sku11Ski11]

There's a Pizza contest in Italy right? Would amazing if you cover that too. Thanks for the video.

[@enderzgamez1859]

I’ve never been to one of these. How much to enter just to eat? Not to compete but to just eat lol

[@daandemeyer1708]

”six time world bbq champion” It never stops to amaze me that americans are not aware there are other countries 😅

[@Frogbjb]

I mean tbf anyone in the world is welcome to compete 😭 either way this bbq looks so bad. American BBQ is all about the imperfections and these look so machine-made

[@jamesbueker11]

I lived in Serbia for 20 months. The barbecue there is excellent

[@grahambunton377]

Where do I apply to be a judge !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

[@Djamieson713]

i'm going to join and turn in some burnt/nasty bbq just to wake up the judges

[@billybaddewd1986]

The real winners are the judges.

[@captks940]

seasonings almost half of the meet lol

[@maozhong88]

There is a huge problem with this competition. Too many judges.

[@v.tantov.14v]

scum competition 😂

[@eagledirect]

More importantly, is this an event open to the public? Can people come in to access or try some of that BBQ food?

[@jpbanksnj]

The judges were angry that day my friend... and couldn't even count apparently...

[@Gardens650]

Look up country style with Art Fennel 🖤

[@pepedeltoro6647]

Wouldn't the judges be taste blind after awhile? lol

[@lester8403]

Is it competitors from all around the world or just the US? Because if its only the US its just a national championship!

[@mytake1465]

Well I don’t think the judging is really fair . And that brisket did not have the right smoke ring. I’m hooked on TX bbq .

[@dylant8110]

This is America. Love it

[@en-v1069]

those judges are lucky

[@dinckelman]

Some Americans do this, and get absolutely incredible results, and some others... put bbq sauce on a slab of boiled meat...

[@jtorola]

I’ve been traveling to over 40 states for work for almost 2 decades and I never once even heard of anyone putting bbq sauce on boiled meat

[@tasha2698]

I've never ate so much bbq in my life #kcnative

[@bensmith7536]

Without a control, who knows which judge values and recognises a particular taste / flavour / texture, what could be perfect for one may be too salty / not salty enough / too soft / not enough bite etc for others. Rolling the dice really.

[@v.tantov.14v]

scum competition 😂

[@jackhinnenkamp4720]

butter

[@turnerpettway6905]

You need to try turkey thighs.

[@Childishron]

Might be the closest thing to heaven on Earth TBH

[@TH-qt5gb]

It needs to be said that this is competition bbq and not actually bbq

[@jazzfall9493]

Who won then?

[@FlemmingErnst]

They're all great "chefs" that can present a perfectly cooked piece of meat, so it looks like it's all down to the seasoning... or?

[@brownhues]

Kansas has the worst bbq of the major styles. Carolina whole hog and Texas brisket are the kings. I just prefer pork bbq, personally.

[@Zenobeus]

Has any Competitor ever put "illicit substances" on a finished piece of meat? To, you know, give it that extra something special.

[@stilth]

You’re not BBQing if presentation is your number one priority ~ you’re posing.

[@jigglepuff1218]

You've never been in a bbq competition.

[@sactownism]

Until the Texas barbecue joints (Goldees/Franklin Bbq) pull up...

[@77Brainfreeze]

That's restaurant style bbq and they would come in dead last in this competition serving what they have at the restaurants in this competition. Grant is cooking two SRF Gold briskets that costs about $240 each and cutting 70% off it off and just throwing it away so his slices will fit perfectly in the box with bark all around. It's also packed with so much salt and flavor you wouldn't actually want to eat more than one slice. The judges pallets get so shot the competitors have to keep packing in more and more flavor.

[@zmcknight319]

Franklin did pull up and lost 😂.

[@Frogbjb]

@@77Brainfreezedisgusting.. idk how people got the idea that this was peak bbq. This doesn’t even look manmade anymore.

[@Frogbjb]

@@zmcknight319they just want bbq that looks like it was made in a lab and 50 lbs of spices on top bc they have no tastebuds left anymore. No true good bbq here

[@77Brainfreeze]

@@Frogbjb No idea. I thought about doing competition bbq for a while but came to the same conclusion. Competition chili is the same way. It's perfectly cubed meat in a smooth sauce. No one wants to eat that.

[@javiertorres2193]

Should be titled "what it doesn't take to win..."

[@Kenya.Kay.MBA...]

Seems they were focused on the aesthetics. Didn't hear them really talk about flavor much.😢

[@ruan6435]

Can we maybe see this from an actual winner’s perspective rather than someone who doesn’t even place in the Top 10?

[@ViciouzVgod]

Imagin doing all that work just to not even get ranked

[@aaronp1392]

So this is a competition that judges the perfect look and not the actual taste. As long as it looks edible who cares if it look’s perfect just needs to taste good.

[@tpai302]

WARNING!!! Don't watch this if you're hungry. I'd love to be a judge for something like this.

[@ttanizawa901]

Pro tip: Don't watch this when you're hungry.

[@Chris.starfleet]

And also .... why are there two sections of pork ... but no mutton or better, lamb .... or hind sections of beef only brisket.

[@StefanSentroshiReechani]

So you got good and expensive meet, throw like thousand spices and stuff on it and in the end one bite is eaten - the rest thrown away. Thats kind of ironical.

[@anothertarnishedone5960]

There are not only competitors and judges; there also friends, family and guests.

[@StefanSentroshiReechani]

@@anothertarnishedone5960 And they eat the food, the judge has taken one bite of it? I doubt it.

[@jigglepuff1218]

ironical is not a word