Barbeque

Professional Barbeque Competition

Sanctioned by the Whole Hog Barbecue Series

Thank you to all our cook teams that participated!  The 2022 Whole Hog Barbecue Competition at the Blue, Brew & ‘Que was a great success and we can’t wait to see you in 2023!

From March through September, in towns peppered throughout North Carolina and Virginia, some of the best barbeque cooks in the nation come together between 15 and 20 times a year to strut their stuff in the Whole Hog Barbecue Series cooking contests.  Duplin County’s Blue, Brew & ‘Que Festival is one of these sanctioned contests.

The barbeque chefs who qualify at our festival and at the other local events will then square off in October for the grand prize: the Whole Hog Barbecue Championship.

All of the events are approved and sanctioned by the NC Pork Council. The Whole Hog Barbecue Series celebrates the history and artistry of whole hog cooking, supports communities and nonprofits, and is proud to have a wide and growing fan base in North Carolina.  The Blue, Brew & ‘Que Festival is proud to be part of this multi-state event. 

We would also like to extend a special thank you to Smithfield.  They are a proud sponsor of the Blue, Brew & ‘Que Festival and provide the whole hogs to our cook teams.  

Click Here for more information about the Whole Hog Barbecue Competition.

First Place Prize – $500.  Second Place Prize – $300.  Third Place Price – $200.

2023 Professional Champions

1st Place: Pocosin Boys
2nd Place:  Beach Boys
3rd Place: Yabotit Cue

2023 Backyard Champions

Sutton Farms

Best of the Best Barbeque Competition

Sample mouthwatering barbeque at the festival on March 25, 2023!

To sample and vote on the Best of the Best you can purchase a $5 Sampling Ticket.  Sampling ticket sales are from 11:00 am until 11:45 am.  Tasting is from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm and you’ll be able to sample the BBQ and sauce of the teams that choose to compete.  Then you can vote on who is the Best of the Best! 

Limited to 20 teams.

2023 Best of the Best Champion

Port City Pittmasters

Sauce Contest

Vinegar, ketchup or mustard based?  What’s your favorite?  Everyone has an opinion, so let’s see whose sauce is the best!  Enter your sweet, hot, mild, spicy or whatever kind of BBQ sauce it might be into the Blue, Brew & ‘Que Sauce Contest!

Sauce contestants must also be entered in either the Professional or the Best Of The Best Competition.

2023 Sauce Master Champion

Sutton Farms

Sampling

We know, your mouth is already watering, so how can you try some of this delicious ‘que?  Purchase a BBQ Plate for $7 at the festival and you’ll receive BBQ, Slaw & Hushpuppies.  The BBQ is mixed meat from the different cook teams with one chosen vinegar-based sauce. 

OR you can purchase a $5 Sampling Ticket for our Best of the Best competition. Sampling ticket sales are from 11:00 am until 11:45 am the day of the festival.  Tasting is from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm and you’ll be able to sample the BBQ and sauce of the teams that choose to compete.  Then you can vote on who is the Best of the Best!  Our suggestion?  Do BOTH – Sample for Lunch, BBQ Plate for Dinner! 

2023 Cook Teams

  • Old Timers
  • Riverbumz BBQ
  • Port City Pitmasters
  • Pork and Rec
  • Thunder Swamp Smokers
  • C’s Que Joint
  • Shady Grady
  • Kountry Boyz Grillin
  • Pocosin Boys
  • Yabotit Que
  • Pork Stars
  • PT’s Catering
  • Brewski Bros Grillin & Chillin
  • 392 BBQ
  • J-3
  • Defiant Spirits RL
  • Napkins Not Included
  • Sutton Farms
  • Beach Boys BBQ
  • J’s WoodFire BBQ

Enter

Or fill out the following form:

Email completed entry forms to jessica.lenig@duplincountync.com and director@uncorkduplin.com

You and/or your Barbeque Team is not officially entered until the Blue, Brew & Que Festival has received your entry fee.  Entries and payment are due by August 20, 2021.