5th Annual Hoosier BBQ Classis KCBS Master Series Sanctioned

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We are proud to announce that the 5th Annual Hoosier BBQ Classis will again be held at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin, IN, on June 6th and June 7th, 2025.

We are working hard to make the Hoosier BBQ classic a “must do” on everyone’s BBQ calendar and raise much-needed funds for Folds of Honor to continue helping those who serve and have served this great nation.

The Hoosier BBQ Classic is a Kansas City Barbecue Society

(KCBS) professional contest presented by the Indiana BBQ Organization, a 501(C)(3)

organization. The event has been held for the past five years to attract the top teams from

across the country to Franklin to compete and raise money to help support local charities. This year, we are excited to announce our partnership with the Indiana chapter of Folds of Honor, a 501 (C)(3) non-profit organization committed to rallying patriotic Americans and meeting sacrifice with hope through the Folds of Honor scholarship programs. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has provided life-changing

scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military. Over the

years the Folds of Honor mission has expanded to the families of America’s first responders. On

their watch, those who protect our freedoms and our families will know they are not forgotten.

Prize Pool $7,200.00   

This is the most popular type of contest KCBS sanctions.  A Master Series Sanctioned Contest requires the teams to cook 4 types of meat (Chicken, Pork Ribs, Pork Butt, & Brisket).  The cooking source at a Master Series Sanctioned Contest shall be of wood, wood pellets or charcoal.  KCBS Rules and regulations apply.  Master Series Sanctioned Contests are eligible for the American Royal and the Jack Daniels World Championship.  In addition, all KCBS team members who participate in a Master Series Sanctioned Contest earn points towards the KCBS Team of the Year awards held each year at our annual banquet. 

KCBS Master Series Payout  

If you are only interested in competing in the KCBS Master Series (Click here) 

Note: Clicking here we give you a complete option of all 3 events plus more.

To  further inspire Pitmasters about the versatility of turkey on the  smoker, the National Turkey Federation is continuing their partnership  with the Kansas City Barbeque Society for the Turkey Smoke Series. The Turkey Smoke Series will incorporate a turkey category into select KCBS-sanctioned contests  across the U.S. during the 2025 barbeque season. Thousands of dollars  in extra prize money and bragging rights will be up for grabs! Winning  recipes will also be featured across KCBS and the National Turkey Federation websites and social channels. 

Note to teams: This year, 2025, Turkey Protein will not be provided by the National Turkey  you will need to bring you own.

BRING YOUR OWN TURKEY PROTEIN!!

Additional Information  

Hoosier Turkey Smoke Series Payout  

Champion           $425 

2nd Place            $ 200  

3rd Place             $ 150  

4th Place              $ 125  

5th Place              $100

If you are only interested in competing in the Turkey Smoke event (Click here) 

This is a contest where only one meat is cooked, following KCBS Master Series rules.  A One-Meat contest may be added to an existing contest as a fun event for the day prior to the main contest.  It can also be a stand-alone contest for a smaller venue or when there is less time available.  Any of the four main KCBS meats may be used (Chicken, Pork Ribs, Pork, Brisket).  KCBS Master Series and Backyard cooks will earn Team of the Year points for the specific category.  This provides an incentive for pitmasters to choose specific contests for extra KCBS Team of the Year points.  A One-Meat Contest is also a great way to give new teams an opportunity to try to compete in a more approachable contest.

Additional Information     

One-Meat Payout   

Champion           $425

2nd Place            $ 200   

3rd Place             $ 150   

4th Place              $ 125   

5th Place              $100

If you are only interested in competing in the KCBS Rib Burn event (Click here) 

Back again in 2025: The Kid's Q Competition is open for all aspiring chefs ages 6 to 15.  Spots are limited, so be sure to sign up today!

Additional Information     

KidsQ Payout   $600

Ages 11 and Under                                       Ages 12-15

Champion           $150                                   Champion           $150     

2nd Place            $ 100                                  2nd Place            $ 100 

3rd Place             $ 50                                     3rd Place             $ 50 

If you are only interested in competing in the KCBS KidsQ event (Click here)

Hoosier BBQ Classic Kids Que Rules         

Kid’s Que 2025       

*The mission of Kid’s Que contests is to support youth in their quest to learn to cook and barbeque in a safe and fair competition, thus we have some requirements. The child must have some basic skills to be able to compete      

*Parents can encourage their children, but cannot help/ do any of the cooking. Each entry shall be cooked by one child only.      

*The child must do the preparation, cooking, and presentation. This means that the child should be able to put his/her own protein on the grill/smoker, turn his/her own protein on the grill/smoker, remove the protein from the grill/smoker, and do all garnishing (if garnish is being used). If a child is unable to do all of these, he/she may not possess the skill to cook at this time.      

Protein       

*Chicken Wings         

*Each Competitor will be provided  8 flats and 8 drums for the event.  

*The Chicken Wings must be the primary protein and component of the entry. Accompanying or complementary edible ingredients ARE allowed (e.g., mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, relish, fruits, vegetables, cheese, bread, etc.  If used, these complementary ingredients shall be part of the individual serving portions and cannot be used as a container garnish.           

*KCBS garnish rule 13 applies. Garnish is optional. If used, once determined to be legal, garnish plays no further role in the appearance score. When used, garnish is limited to chopped, sliced, shredded or whole leaves of fresh green lettuce, curly parsley, flat leaf parsley, curly green kale and/or cilantro.         

There are two age divisions       

*11 and under      

*12 through 16

Kid’s Que Competitors:       

*Must be able to temp and flip their own food.      

*Are allowed to bring a page of written or pictorial notes with them for guidance but must be able to read/follow it themselves. It helps if the children make these note sheets themselves.      

*Competitors are allowed to trim their own meats as needed under the supervision of the Cook Safety Coordinator.        

*Each entry shall be cooked by one child only                     

Kids Que Supply Checklist       

A list of items needed:         

*Rubs, sauces, and other ingredients to be used in preparation of entry      

*Garnish, if used      

*Cutting boards       

*Gloves      

*Mitts/potholders      

*Knives      

*Tongs      

*Mixing bowls/spoons if needed      

*Charcoal, wood fired or pellet grill      

Garnish is optional. If used, once determined to be legal, garnish plays no further role in the appearance score. When used, garnish is limited to chopped, sliced, shredded or whole leaves of fresh green lettuce, curly parsley, flat leaf parsley, curly green kale and/or cilantro. PROHIBITED GARNISHES are lettuce cores and other vegetation, including but not limited to endive, red tipped lettuce. "PROHIBITED" garnish shall result in a penalty score of one (1) on Appearance.       

Kids Que Items Supplied by the Hoosier BBQ Classic       

*Prep Table      

*Chicken Wings 8 Flats and 8 Drums      

*9X9 foam container for turn-in         

Kids Que Timeline      

*9:30 AM Kids Que Cooks Meeting   

*2:30 PM Kids Que Turn-In (2:25 to 2:35)   

*5 PM Awards