Awards Of Excellence CATEGORIES

Celebrating Innovation, Craftsmanship & Creativity in the World of Barbecue

Every year, the National Barbecue & Grilling Association (NBBQA) presents the Awards of Excellence, recognizing the people, products, and brands that set new standards in barbecue.
These awards honor innovation, creativity, and craftsmanship across the commercial side of barbecue — from sauces and rubs to media, photography, and beyond.

Explore the categories below to discover where your brand shines.
There truly is something for everyone.

🥫 BBQ Sauce Category

Fruit BBQ Sauce
The key foundation ingredient must be fruit and reflected in the product’s top three ingredients. (Tomato is not considered a fruit in this case.)

Mustard BBQ Sauce
The key foundation ingredient must be mustard and reflected in the product’s top three ingredients.

Tomato Mild BBQ Sauce
Tomato (e.g., ketchup, tomato paste) must be a key ingredient in the top three. The flavor profile should be mild.

Tomato Spicy BBQ Sauce
Tomato must be a key ingredient in the top three, with a pronounced spicy flavor profile.

Vinegar Mild BBQ Sauce
Vinegar must be among the top three ingredients, with a mild flavor disposition.

Vinegar Spicy BBQ Sauce
Vinegar must be among the top three ingredients, with a spicy flavor disposition.

Original BBQ Sauce
For sauces that don’t fit the above categories but feature a unique flavor profile — such as Korean BBQ, curry, mole, or Worcestershire.

🧂 BBQ Rub Category

Beef Rub
Formulated specifically for beef, whether smoked low and slow or grilled hot and fast.

Pork Rub
Created for pork and suitable for both smoking and grilling.

Poultry Rub
Crafted for chicken, turkey, or similar proteins — designed for barbecue or grilling.

Seafood Rub
Developed for fish, shrimp, or other seafood, suitable for barbecue or grilling.

Spicy Rub
A rub with a clear kick — spice must be reflected in the top three ingredients.

Original BBQ Rub
Distinct flavor profiles that don’t fit other categories, including base rubs, finishing rubs, or game rubs.

🍽️ BBQ Food Category

BBQ Gift Pack
A retail gift pack with at least three items, including two edible products. Must be commercially available.

BBQ Snacks
Barbecue-themed snacks (jerky, chips, crackers, etc.) that are commercially available and meet food safety standards.

BBQ Marinade
Marinades formulated for use with barbecue proteins such as beef, pork, or poultry.

🔧 Equipment & Product Design Category

BBQ Tool / Accessory
Tools or accessories used in the preparation or cooking of barbecue — including smoking, grilling, or general operations.

Apparel
BBQ-related clothing such as shirts, aprons, hats, or branded items representing products or restaurants.

Product Label Design
Recognizing excellence in product label design and visual presentation for any BBQ-related item.

💻 BBQ Digital Media Category

BBQ Blog
Standalone or site-integrated blogs authored by individuals, teams, or brands.

BBQ Website
Sites focused on products, personalities, media, or e-commerce. May include news, entertainment, or recipes.

BBQ Audio Series
Radio shows, podcasts, or similar audio series featuring at least six original episodes aired in 2025 (submit three episodes).

BBQ Video Series
YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, or TV series with at least six original 2025 episodes (submit three).

Single BBQ-Focused Video
A standalone video or feature focusing on news, instruction, or entertainment. (Videos entered here cannot also compete in the Series category.)

BBQ Short-Form Video (60 Seconds or Less)
Short videos created for social platforms, 60 seconds or less, focusing on BBQ content originally posted in 2025.

📚 BBQ Publications & Literary Works

Educational Writing
Articles published in 2025 that teach or instruct on barbecue techniques, methods, or science.

BBQ Focus Article
2025 articles highlighting barbecue stories, humor, news, or entertainment.

BBQ Book of the Year
Any barbecue-related book published in 2025, with or without recipes, from any country.

Marketing Material
BBQ-related marketing or promotional materials used in 2025 (flyers, calendars, stickers, koozies, recipe cards, etc.).

📸 BBQ Photography Awards

BBQ Commercial Photograph
Images commissioned for advertising, packaging, or promotional use (print or digital) during 2025.

BBQ Blog / Personal Photograph
Unpaid photos shared via blogs, webpages, or social media during 2025.

BBQ Character Photo
Photos featuring pitmasters, restaurants, or competitions captured during 2025.

BBQ Food Photo
Images where food comprises at least 70% of the composition, taken in 2025.

Live Fire Photo
Images where fire or flame is the primary subject (at least 70% of the composition), taken in 2025.

🍹 BBQ Drinks Category

BBQ Drink Mixers
Mixes used to create beverages such as Bloody Mary or margarita mixes.

Alcoholic Beverages
Beer, wine, whiskey, spirits, or BBQ-inspired cocktails containing alcohol.

Nonalcoholic Beverages
Sodas, teas, lemonades, mocktails, or juices — all alcohol-free and barbecue-inspired.