🏆 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.

🍅 Tomato-Based Sauces

Mild

🥇 JB's Fat Boy Sticky Stuff
Bar-B-Que Specialties, Inc.

🥈 Ole Ray's Red Delicious Apple/Bourbon Barbeque & Cooking Sauce
Ole Ray's Sauces

🥉 Britt's Barbecue Red Sauce
Britt's Roadside Grill, LLC

Spicy

🥇 Grandma Foster's BBQ Sauce – Smooth & Spicy
Grandma Foster's

🥈 Uncle Pete's Spicy BBQ Sauce
Uncle Pete's BBQ, LLC

🥉 Jack's Bar-B-Que Sauce – Sweet Hot
Jack's Bar-B-Que

💛 Mustard-Based Sauces

Mild

🥇 Ozark's Carolina Mustard Sauce
Ozark's Country Meats

🥈 Thomas Bessinger's Original Golden Recipe BBQ Sauce
Bessingers & Bessinger's, Inc.

🥉 Old Glory Savannah Barbeque Sauce
Old Glory All-American Bar-B-Que

Spicy

🥇 Ole Ray's Kentucky Gold Bourbon Barbeque & Cooking Sauce
Ole Ray's Sauces

🥈 Lynch's BBQ Hot Swine Sweet Honey Cayenne Mustard Hot
Lynch BBQ Company

🥉 Texas Rib Rangers Spicy Mustard BBQ Sauce
Rib Rangers Products of Texas, LLC

🍑 Fruit-Based Sauces

Mild

🥇 Rocky Mountain Apricot Sauce
Rocky Mountain Products

🥈 Ole Ray's Apple Cinnamon Barbeque & Cooking Sauce
Ole Ray's Sauces

🥉 Squealers Smoky Sweet Sauce
Squealers Award Winning Barbecue

Spicy

🥇 Squealers Smokin' Hot Sauce
Squealers Award Winning Barbecue

🥈 Grandville's Gourmet Cajun BBQ Sauce
Grandville's Gourmet BBQ Sauce

🥉 Kill’em-N-Grill’em Sweet Heat
Kill’em-N-Grill’em BBQ

🍎 Vinegar-Based Sauces

Mild

🥇 Smoky Jon's Mild Vinegar BBQ Sauce
Smoky Jon's #1 BBQ

🥈 Woody's Mild BBQ Sauce
Woody's Bar-B-Q Sauce Co.

🥉 Big Bob Gibson's Alabama Red Sauce
Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q

Spicy

🥇 Woody's Original Hot BBQ Sauce
Woody's Bar-B-Q Sauce Co.

🥈 Bar-B-Bar Caribbean Calypso – Island Hoppin'
Successful Brands Group, LTD

🥉 BBQ & Ribs Co. Pigwyzz
BBQ & Ribs Co.

🧂 Rubs Excellence Awards

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.

🔥 Barbecue Dry Rub / Seasoning

Honoring the pitmasters and makers whose signature blends bring depth, balance, and bold flavor to every cook. These outstanding dry rubs capture the essence of barbecue — from sweet and smoky to rich and savory — transforming every bite into a true taste of excellence.

🥇 Trim Tabb’s Pig Powder
Tabby’s, Inc.

🥈 BBQ & Ribs Co. Sow Dust
BBQ & Ribs Co.

🥉 Lynch’s BBQ Butt Rub
Lynch BBQ Company

⚙️ All-Purpose Seasonings

🥇 Lynch's Steak Shaker
Lynch BBQ Co.

🥈 Lynch's Butt Rub
Lynch BBQ Co.

🥉 Jack's Hand Rub
Jack's Bar-B-Que

🌵 Southwest Rubs & Seasonings

🥇 Rocky Mountain Southwest
Rocky Mountain Products

🥈 Smoky Jon's Southwest Seasoning
Smoky Jon's #1 BBQ

🥉 JB's Fat Boy Cowgirl Ride’em Rub
Bar-B-Que Specialties, Inc.

🐊 Cajun Seasonings

🥇 Rocky Mountain Cajun Seasoning
Rocky Mountain Products

🥈 Smoky Jon's Cajun Seasoning
Smoky Jon's #1 BBQ

🥉 Texas Rib Rangers Spicy BBQ Seasoning
Rib Rangers Products of Texas, LLC

🏝️ Caribbean / Jerk Blends

🥇 JB's Fat Boy Chipotle Marinade
Bar-B-Que Specialties, Inc.

🥈 Captain Thom's Jerk Spice
Captain Thom's Chili Pepper Company

🌿 Mediterranean / Herb Blends

🥇 Rocky Mountain Mediterranean
Rocky Mountain Products

🥈 Lynch's Butter & Garlic
Lynch BBQ Company

🥉 Texas Rib Rangers Rosemary & Herb Seasoning
Rib Rangers Products of Texas, LLC

🎨 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 – Anything Goes

From smoky and sweet to fiery and fearless, these sauces defy convention. Crafted by makers who push the boundaries of heat and creativity, they prove that great barbecue isn’t just about smoke — it’s about bold flavor that commands attention.

🥇 Dirty Dick’s Pepper Sauce
Dirty Dick’s Enterprises

🥈 Smoky Jon’s Gourmet Hot Sauce
Smoky Jon’s #1 BBQ

🥉 Cookies Wings-N-Things Hot Sauce
Cookies Food Products, Inc.

🍅 Salsa – Anything Goes

Honoring the innovators who turn the humble tomato into a canvas of color, spice, and texture. These salsas capture the freshness of the garden and the fire of the grill — transforming every bite into a celebration of flavor.

🥇 Cookies Medium Salsa
Cookies Food Products, Inc.

🥈 Cream Cheese and Salsa
Garden Fresh Gourmet

🥉 Cookies Mild Salsa
Cookies Food Products, Inc.

🍶 Condiments – Anything Goes

Recognizing the creators who take the extras and make them essential. From zesty spreads to savory blends, these condiments are the finishing touch that elevates every plate — proof that sometimes, it’s the smallest details that make the biggest impression.

🥇 Lynch’s Wee Wee Wasabi Hot Sauce
Lynch BBQ Co.

🥈 Texas Rib Rangers Range Relish
Rib Rangers of Texas Relish, Inc.

🥉 Lynch’s Butter & Garlic
Lynch BBQ Co.

🫗 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.

🍋 Marinades – Citrus / Fruit

Celebrating the makers who master the art of balance — blending brightness, sweetness, and depth to bring barbecue to life. These marinades infuse every bite with bold flavor and vibrant character, proving that great taste begins long before the fire.

🥇 Lynch’s BBQ Boar’s Berry Blaster
Lynch BBQ Company

🥈 Rocky Mountain Mandarin Sweet & Spicy
Rocky Mountain Products

🥉 Bar-B-Bar Exotic Peach, Date & Ginger
Successful Brands Group, LTD

🏝️ Marinades – Caribbean

Honoring the creators who capture the vibrant spirit of the islands — bold, balanced, and bursting with flavor. These marinades bring a taste of the tropics to the pit, blending rich spices and smoky sweetness that transport every cook straight to paradise.

🥇 JB’s Fat Boy Premium All Purpose Marinade
Bar-B-Que Specialties, Inc.

🥈 Bar-B-Bar Epic Sun-Dried Tomato–Chipotle
Successful Brands Group, LTD

💛 Marinades – Mustard

Celebrating the makers who blend tangy tradition with a modern twist. These mustard-based marinades and sauces bring bold flavor, golden color, and the perfect balance of heat and sweetness — a true tribute to barbecue versatility and craftsmanship.

🥇 Lynch’s BBQ Hot Swine Sweet Honey Cayenne Mustard Hot Sauce
Lynch BBQ Company

🥈 Rocky Mountain Honey Mustard
Rocky Mountain Products

🥉 Texas Rib Rangers Spicy Mustard BBQ Sauce
Rib Rangers Products of Texas, Inc.

🥢 Marinades – Asian

Honoring the innovators who bring global inspiration to American barbecue. These Asian-style marinades combine depth, umami, and aromatic spice — uniting East and West through the universal language of flavor and fire.

🥇 ZY-Sauce Gourmet Blend
Rocky Mountain Products

🥈 Bar-B-Bar Smoky Coriander & Turmeric
Successful Brands Group, LTD

🥉 Woody’s Original Marinade & Baste Sauce
Woody’s Bar-B-Q Sauce Co.

🫒 Marinades – Oil & Vinegar

Celebrating the masters of balance and simplicity — where smooth oils meet sharp vinegar to unlock the pure essence of barbecue flavor. These marinades showcase harmony, craftsmanship, and versatility, enhancing every cut with richness and depth.

🥇 Rocky Mountain Marinade
Rocky Mountain Products

🥈 Bar-B-Bar Smoky Coriander & Turmeric
Successful Brands Group, LTD

🥉 Woody’s Original Marinade & Baste Sauce
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.

🏷️ BBQ Sauce

In barbecue, presentation matters — and these brands prove that a great sauce doesn’t just taste amazing, it looks unforgettable. The Best Label Award honors exceptional design that captures the soul of barbecue, blending creativity, authenticity, and shelf-stopping appeal worthy of the pitmaster’s craft.

🥇 New Orleans Smoky Blues BBQ Sauce & Dip Bar-B-Bar
Successful Brands Seasonings Group, LTD

🥈 Rocky Mountain Products – Heritage Series Design
Rocky Mountain Products

🥉 Smoky Jon’s #1 BBQ – Signature Sauce Label
Smoky Jon’s #1 BBQ

Where flavor meets design — and every bottle tells a story.

🏷️ Barbecue Dry Rub / Seasoning

Honoring the pitmasters and makers whose signature blends bring depth, balance, and bold flavor to every cook. These outstanding dry rubs capture the essence of barbecue — from sweet and smoky to rich and savory — transforming every bite into a true taste of excellence.

🥇 Trim Tabb’s Pig Powder
Tabby’s, Inc.

🥈 BBQ & Ribs Co. Sow Dust
BBQ & Ribs Co.

🥉 Lynch’s BBQ Butt Rub
Lynch BBQ Company

Where craftsmanship meets creativity — and every shake tells a story.

🏷️ Best Label – Marinade

Honoring the creators whose visual design captures the spirit of flavor before the first taste. These labels stand out with craftsmanship and character, pairing eye-catching artistry with the promise of quality inside every bottle.

🥇 Epic Sun-Dried Tomato & Chipotle Marinade
Successful Brands Group, LTD

Flavor meets design — bold, refined, and unmistakably barbecue.

📚 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.

💵 Under $15 – Black & White

🥇 Cookies BBQ
Cookies BBQ Products, Inc.

💰 Over $15 – Black & White

🥇 Peace, Love & Barbecue
17th Street Bar & Grill

🎨 Over $15 – Color

🥇 Taming the Flame
Girls at the Grill

Where wisdom meets smoke — and every page ignites inspiration.

🧰 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

🥇 Kill’em-N-Grill’em Seafood Seasoning
Kill’em-N-Grill’em BBQ

🥈 Kill’em-N-Grill’em Pork Seasoning
Kill’em-N-Grill’em BBQ

🥉 Kill’em-N-Grill’em Veggie Elixir
Kill’em-N-Grill’em BBQ

💰 Over $50

🥇 Freedom Grill FG-100 Tailgate Grill
Freedom Grill Grilling Systems

🥈 Buddy Original
Kill’em-N-Grill’em BBQ

🎁 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.

💵 Under $25

🥇 McPugs Grub Rubs
McPugs.com

🥈 Jack’s 4 Pack
Jack’s Bar-B-Que

🥉 Lynch’s BBQ Stocking Stuffer
Lynch BBQ Company

Where great flavor becomes the perfect gift — wrapped in passion, pride, and barbecue tradition.

📜 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.

🍽️ Dine-In Menus

Recognizing the restaurants that elevate their guest experience through thoughtful, well-crafted menus. These designs showcase not only their offerings but also the warmth, pride, and authenticity behind every plate.

🥇 BJ’s Nevada Barbecue Dine-In Menu
BJ’s Nevada Barbecue Co.

🥈 BBQ & Ribs Co. Dine-In Menu
BBQ & Ribs Co.

🥉 Squealers Dine-In Menu
Squealers Award Winning Barbecue

Where great design meets great dining — and every page whets the appetite for barbecue perfection.

📋 Catering Menus

Celebrating the pitmasters and teams who extend their hospitality beyond the restaurant walls. These catering menus combine mouthwatering offerings with clear, creative presentation — delivering the perfect balance of professionalism, flavor, and Southern charm.

🥇 BBQ & Ribs Co. Catering Menu
BBQ & Ribs Co.

🥈 Squealers Catering Menu
Squealers Award Winning Barbecue

🥉 Lynch BBQ Company Catering Menu
Lynch BBQ Company

Where flavor travels far — and every menu brings the heart of barbecue to the table.

🏅 PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

Celebrating the brands that captured the hearts—and taste buds—of barbecue fans everywhere. The People’s Choice Awards honor those who stand out not just for flavor, but for the connection they build with their customers and community.

🥇 Smoky Jon’s #1 BBQ
🥈 Ole Ray’s Sauces
🥉 Ole Ray’s Sauces