Grand champion winner of Smoke in the Spring 2021 was Piggin’ Whiskey O.G.; accepting the award for the team are, from left, Ashton Smith, Jaxson Soerries, and head cook Josh Farley (presented by Smoky the Pig).
Smoke might still be lingering in Osage City from last weekend’s 18th annual Smoke in the Spring State BBQ Championship, but the grand champions headed back to Oak Grove, Mo. to celebrate.
Piggin’ Whiskey O.G., with head cook Josh Farley, of Oak Grove, earned prize winnings totaling $5,980 from the Osage City contest, after taking the grand championship with fourth place in chicken, 51st place in pork, second place in ribs, and 10th in brisket. The team also broke the 700 point barrier, winning the top spot in the contest with 703.44.
In Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned contests, membership in the “700 club” is achieved when enough points are earned in the four main categories, chicken, ribs, pork and brisket, to total 700 or more. A 180 is considered a perfect score in a single category. Piggin’ Whiskey picked up a 180 with their second place ribs entry, helping to secure their win with highest number of points. Adding to the team’s wins for the weekend, young team member Jaxson Soerries took fifth place in the 6-10 age group of Kids-Q.
The grand champs shared their 700 club spot with the reserve grand champions, Finger Leikham Good, head cook Chris Leikam, Wamego, Kan., with 701.7028, and the third place winner, The American Dream BBQ Team, David Qualls, Tecumseh, Okla., 700.5144.
Seven teams picked up a 180 pin during the completion, with two 180s awarded in chicken, two 180s in ribs, and three in pork.
The high scoring competition boosts Smoke in the Spring’s reputation as a world class contest, where some of the best barbecue cooks in the U.S. come to compete. During the weekend, 105 barbecue teams from 10 states gathered in Osage City’s Jones Park. The field included a number of top teams on the circuit, including KCBS teams of the year, Jack Daniels World Champion, and numerous grand champions from state championships.