Kansas is often considered the BBQ capital of the world and is renowned for its rich BBQ culture and traditions. Kansas hosts several major BBQ competitions and festivals throughout the year, attracting thousands of BBQ enthusiasts and professionals from around the world.
The largest and most prestigious BBQ competitions in Kansas are sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), the world’s largest organization of BBQ enthusiasts. These competitions include the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, the largest BBQ competition in the world, and the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle, one of the oldest and most competitive BBQ competitions in the country.
In addition to these major competitions, Kansas hosts many smaller BBQ contests and festivals, ranging from local cook-offs to state and regional championships. These events provide opportunities for amateur and professional BBQ enthusiasts to showcase their skills and connect with others in the BBQ community.
Kansas’s BBQ scene is heavily influenced by its proximity to Kansas City and other BBQ hotspots, as well as by the state’s unique regional flavors and ingredients. Popular dishes include pulled pork, ribs, brisket, and smoked chicken, as well as Kansas-style BBQ dishes like burnt ends, which are the flavorful, crusty pieces of brisket that are cut off and served separately.
| Mar. 17-18, 2023: 5th annual Qlathe BBQ Championship at Lone Elm Park – Qlathe, KS |
| Apr. 7-8, 2023: Smoke in the Spring, Osage City, KS. Contact: Corey Linton, Phone: 785-806-8911, Email: osagecountynews@gmail.com. |
| Sep/ 28 – Oct 1, 2023: The American Royal World Series Of Barbecue – Kansas City, KS |
