🏆 National Barbecue Association 🏆

🏅 Awards of Excellence

Since 2005, the NBBQA Awards of Excellence have honored the finest achievements in the barbecue and grilling world — recognizing excellence in flavor, craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation. What began as a small tribute to great sauce and rub makers has grown into one of the most respected competitions in the industry.

Each year, the Awards of Excellence shine a spotlight on the people and products that keep the fire burning — from pitmasters and product developers to writers, photographers, and innovators who shape the future of barbecue.

To win an NBBQA Award of Excellence is to earn one of the highest honors in the barbecue community — a mark of passion, authenticity, and dedication to the craft.

🫙 Sauce Excellence Awards

Each year, the NBBQA honors the finest makers in the barbecue world — artisans who craft, bottle, and share the flavors that define our community. These champions represent the highest standards of taste, innovation, and authenticity.

🏆 Sauces

🍅 TOMATO MILD BBQ SAUCE

🥇 Ole Ray's Kentucky Red Bourbon BBQ Sauce – Ole Ray's SaucesYeah you too so good
🥈 Jim's Demon Pig BBQ Sauce – Demon Pig BBQ Team
🥉 Bar-B-Bar New Orleans Smoky Blues – Successful Brands Group
🏅 Smoky Jon's Original Gourmet BBQ Sauce – Smoky Jon's #1 BBQ
🏅 Kyle Style Complete Your Meat BBQ Sauce – The Slabs, LLP

🌶 TOMATO SPICY BBQ SAUCE

🥇 Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q Habanero Red Sauce – Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q
🥈 Cookies Western Style Bar-B-Q Sauce – Cookies Food Products, Inc.
🥉 Scott's Famous “Original BBQ” – Scott's Pig Roast, LLC
🏅 Meadow Creek Hot – Meadow Creek Barbecue
🏅 XXX-911 – Jack's Bar-B-Que

🟡 MUSTARD MILD BBQ SAUCE

🥇 Ole Ray's Classic Gold Barbecue & Cooking Sauce – Ole Ray's Sauces
🥈 Cookies Country Blend Bar-B-Q Sauce – Cookies Food Products, Inc.
🥉 Bethany Blues Mustard BBQ Sauce – Peppers
🏅 Rocky Mountain Honey Mustard – Rocky Mountain Products
🏅 Texas Rib Rangers Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce – Rib Rangers Products of Texas, Inc.

🔸 MUSTARD SPICY BBQ SAUCE

🥇 Sweet Heat – Howton Farms Gourmet & Dippin’ Sauce
🥈 Ole Ray's Kentucky Gold Bourbon BBQ Sauce – Ole Ray's Sauces
🥉 Scott’s Famous “Honey Mustard BBQ” – Scott’s Pig Roast, LLC
🏅 Barn’s A Burnin’ – Howton Farms Gourmet Sauces
🏅 Texas Rib Rangers Spicy Mustard BBQ Sauce – Rib Rangers Products of Texas, Inc.

🍏 FRUIT MILD BBQ SAUCE

🥇 Ole Ray’s Apple Cinnamon Barbecue Sauce – Ole Ray’s Sauces
🥈 Ole Ray’s Blackberry Wine Barbecue Sauce & Cooking Sauce – Ole Ray’s Sauces
🥉 Ole Ray’s Red Delicious Apple Bourbon Barbecue Sauce & Cooking Sauce – Ole Ray’s Sauces
🏅 Meadow Creek Steak Sauce – Meadow Creek Barbecue
🏅 Bethany Blues Papaya Grillin’ Sauce – Peppers

🍍 FRUIT SPICY BBQ SAUCE

🥇 King of the Q Pineapple Rum Sauce – King of the Q / Outstanding Foods
🥈 Bar-B-Bar Caribbean Calypso Island Hoppin’ – Successful Brands Group
🥉 Tasty Cookin’ – Mr. Green Genes
🏅 Peppers Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce – Peppers

🧂 Rubs

In barbecue, great flavor begins long before the flame. These awards honor the masters of seasoning — those who blend spice, smoke, and soul into every shake. Their craftsmanship transforms ordinary cuts into extraordinary experiences, awakening the senses and defining the flavor of the fire.

The Rubs Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, balance, and authenticity, recognizing the creators whose blends capture the very heart of barbecue. Each winning rub is more than a recipe — it’s a reflection of passion, tradition, and the timeless pursuit of perfection.

🌟 ALL PURPOSE BBQ RUB

🥇 Kyle Style Perk Up Your Pork Competition Rub – The Slabs, LLP
🥈 Trim Tabb’s Pig Powder – Tabby’s Inc.
🥉 Bethany Blues Zesty Rib Seasoning – Peppers
🏅 Lynch’s Sweet Rib Rub – Lynch BBQ Company
🏅 Lynch’s Butter & Garlic – Lynch BBQ Company

🌵 SOUTHWEST BBQ RUB

🥇 Howton Farms Gourmet Southwestern All-Purpose Rub – Howton Farms Gourmet Sauces
🥈 JB’s Fat Boy Chipotle Butt Rub – Bar-B-Que Specialties, Inc.
🥉 Texas Rib Rangers Spicy BBQ Seasoning – Rib Rangers Products of Texas, Inc.
🏅 Rocky Mountain Southwest Rotisserie – Rocky Mountain Products

🌶 CAJUN BBQ RUB

🥇 Austin Spice Texas Red Lemon Pepper – Austin Spice Company
🥈 King of the Q Bayou Bite Seasoning Rub – King of the Q / Outstanding Foods
🥉 Lynch’s Rajun’ Cajun – Lynch BBQ Company
🏅 Rocky Mountain Cajun Seasoning – Rocky Mountain Products
🏅 Bethany Blues Ragin’ Cajun Rub – Peppers

🏝️ CARIBBEAN / JERK BBQ RUB

🥇 Bethany Blues Caribbean Jerk Spice – Peppers

🌿 MEDITERRANEAN / HERB BBQ RUB

🥇 Texas Rib Rangers Rosemary & Herb Seasoning – Rib Rangers Products of Texas, Inc.
🥈 King of the Q Amazing Steak Spice – King of the Q / Outstanding Foods
🥉 Lynch’s Butter & Garlic – Lynch BBQ Company
🏅 Rocky Mountain Mediterranean Rotisserie – Rocky Mountain Products

🎨 Anything Goes Division

The Anything Goes Division celebrates the boldest creators in barbecue — the innovators who break the mold and reimagine what’s possible in flavor. From blazing hot sauces and vibrant salsas to one-of-a-kind condiments, these entries showcase fearless creativity, balance, and craftsmanship.

Here, tradition meets innovation, and every bottle tells a story of passion, imagination, and the endless pursuit of great taste.

🔥 HOT SAUCE

🥇 Lynch Boar’s Breath Chipotle – Lynch BBQ Company
🥈 Predator Hot Sauce – Peppers
🥉 Texas Rib Rangers Spicy BBQ Sauce – Texas Rib Rangers Products of Texas
🏅 Georgia Peach & Vidalia Onion Hot Sauce – Peppers
🏅 Monty’s Smoke & Fire – MyHotSauces.com

🌶 SALSA

🥇 Cookies Premium Mild Salsa – Cookies Food Products
🥈 Monty’s Party Picante Medium Hot – MyHotSauces.com
🥉 Cookies Premium Medium Salsa – Cookies Food Products
🏅 Monty’s Party Picante Mild – MyHotSauces.com
🏅 Monty’s Party Picante Chipotle – MyHotSauces.com

🍖 CONDIMENTS

🥇 Sagebrush Steak Sauce – Texas Rib Rangers Products of Texas
🥈 Scott’s Famous “Original BBQ” – Scott’s Pig Roast, LLC
🥉 Lynch Spicy BBQ Sauce – Lynch BBQ Company
🏅 Heinie Hurtin’ Hot Sauce – Peppers
🏅 Rocky Mountain Honey Bourbon – Rocky Mountain Products

🫗 Marinade

Recognizing the creators who know that true flavor begins long before the grill is lit. These marinades bring depth, tenderness, and complexity — transforming every cut of meat into a masterpiece of smoke and spice.

🍊 CITRUS / FRUIT MARINADES

🥇 Rocky Mountain Mandarin – Rocky Mountain Products
🥈 Howton Farms Gourmet BBQ & Dippin’ Sauce Beer Can Chicken & Bastings – Howton Farms Gourmet Sauces
🥉 Bite Me! Lime Cilantro – Peppers

🏝️ CARIBBEAN MARINADES

🥇 Bar-B-Q Epic Sun-Dried Tomato & Chipotle Marinade – Successful Brands Group
🥈 Scott’s Famous “Original BBQ” – Scott’s Pig Roast, LLC
🥉 Monty’s Around The World – MyHotSauces.com

🟡 MUSTARD MARINADES

🥇 Bar-B-Q Epic Sun-Dried Tomato & Chipotle Marinade – Successful Brands Group
🥈 Scott’s Famous “Original BBQ” – Scott’s Pig Roast, LLC
🥉 Monty’s Around The World – MyHotSauces.com

🈵 ASIAN MARINADES

🥇 Toto’s Oriental Grilling Sauce – Peppers
🥈 King of the Q Spicy Asian Marinade – King of the Q / Outstanding Foods
🥉 Sensual – Tennessee Gourmet

🫒 OIL & VINEGAR MARINADES

🥇 Bar-B-Bar Smoky Chili Coriander & Turmeric Marinade – Successful Brands Group
🥈 Austin Spice Steak & Fajita Marinade – Austin Spice Co.
🥉 Woody’s Original Marinade & Baste – Woody’s Bar-B-Q Sauce Co.

🏷️ Best Label Design

Honoring the makers who know that what’s outside the bottle is just as powerful as what’s inside. These award-winning labels combine visual creativity, storytelling, and craftsmanship — the kind of designs that make you stop, look, and instantly know you’re holding something special.

🍖 BARBECUE SAUCE LABEL

🥇 JB’s Fat Boy Haugwaush Barbecue Sauce – Bar-B-Q Specialties, Inc.
🥈 BobbieQues Rib House Barbecue & Cooking Sauce – Chef Foods, Inc.
🥉 Ole Ray’s Classic Gold Barbecue & Cooking Sauce – Ole Ray’s Sauces
🏅 Sassy BBQ & Grillin’ Sauce – R & M Foods / Sassy Products
🏅 Huckleberry’s “Soon to be Famous” Pig Lotion – Huckleberry’s Smoke Therapy

🧂 DRY RUB / SEASONING LABEL

🥇 Trim Tabb’s Pig Powder – Tabby’s, Inc.
🥈 JB’s Fat Boy Sweet Butt Rub – Bar-B-Q Specialties, Inc.
🥉 Rocky Mountain Mediterranean Rotisserie – Rocky Mountain Products
🏅 Sow Dust – BBQ & Ribs Co.
🏅 Rocky Mountain Oriental Rotisserie – Rocky Mountain Products

🧴 MARINADE LABEL

🥇 Bar-B-Bar – Successful Brands Group
🥈 Rocky Mountain Marinade – Rocky Mountain Products

🌶 SALSA LABEL

🥇 Peppers Chipotle Smoked Corn Blue Crab Salsa – Peppers

🧰 Best New BBQ Specialty Product

Recognizing the innovators who bring creativity and practicality to the world of barbecue. From cutting-edge tools to flavorful new products, these makers redefine what it means to cook with passion, ingenuity, and purpose.

💲 UNDER $25

🥇 JB’s Smokin’ Grilling Smoke Cans – Bar-B-Que Specialties, Inc.

💲 OVER $50

🥇 Roger’s Tailgate Classic – Rogers Grill Company

🎁 BBQ Gift Pack

Honoring the creative brands that turn great flavor into the perfect gift. These thoughtfully packaged collections bring the spirit of barbecue to every occasion — combining craftsmanship, presentation, and irresistible taste for pitmasters and fans alike.

🪶 BEST GIFT PACK UNDER $25

🥇 Jack’s 4-Pack – Jack’s Bar-B-Que
🥈 JB’s Fat Boy Triple Sauce Gift Pack – Bar-B-Que Specialties, Inc.
🥉 Lynch’s Stocking Stuffer #3 – Lynch BBQ Company
🏅 Howton Farms Gourmet BBQ & Dippin’ Sauce Gift Basket – Howton Farms Gourmet Sauces
🏅 Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q Barbecue Sauce – Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q

📚 Best New BBQ / Grill Book

Celebrating the storytellers and pitmasters who bring the heart of barbecue to life through the written word. These authors and publishers capture the spirit of smoke, fire, and flavor — preserving barbecue traditions while inspiring a new generation of cooks and enthusiasts.

💲 NEW BARBECUE–GRILL COOKBOOK UNDER $15 (Black & White)

🥇 Romancing the Flame – ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen

💲 NEW BARBECUE–GRILL COOKBOOK OVER $15 (Color)

🥇 Hot & Sticky BBQ Cookbook: King of the Q – The Reader’s Chef – Developments, Inc.

📜 Best BBQ Menu

Honoring the restaurants and pitmasters who bring their brand to life through exceptional menu design and presentation. Whether served in-house or on the road, these menus do more than list dishes — they tell a story of smoke, flavor, and Southern hospitality. Each one reflects the heart of barbecue and the creativity that keeps guests coming back for more.

🍽️ BEST BARBECUE MENU – DINE-IN

🥇 BBQ & Ribs Co. Dine-In Menu – BBQ & Ribs Co.

🍴 BEST BARBECUE MENU – CATERING

🥇 Scott’s Pig Roast – Scott’s Pig Roast, LLC
🥈 BBQ & Ribs Co. Catering Menu – BBQ & Ribs Co.