Hampton’s first-ever “Cruisin’ & BBQ’n Weekend” brought the heat Saturday with a Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned competition that awarded more than $10,000 in prize money.
“Wags Backwoods BBQ” of Osage, led by Jason Wagner, earned the Grand Champion title, highlighted by a first-place finish in pork ribs and third in pork butt. Wagner’s team took home $2,600 in winnings. The Reserve Grand Champion went to “Poppa Pig” of Montgomery, Alabama, which won the pork butt category and placed well in others, collecting $1,600. Finishing third overall was Nebraska’s “When Pigs Die”, winners of the brisket division, with $1,275.
In the chicken category, “Bourbon & Blues BBQ” from North Carolina claimed first place, while several Iowa teams placed in the top ten, including “Low Eye Que” of Glenwood, “Team Crawford” of Atlantic, and “Smokehouse 72” of Colo.
Organizers say Hampton’s debut barbecue competition was a strong success, drawing cooks from across the country and setting the stage for future events.
