Awards of Excellence Categories
New for 2027: BBQ Art, BBQ Sides & Condiments, BBQ Fuel, and Special Awards
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 fuel, art, media, photography, and beyond.
Explore the categories below to discover where your brand shines. There truly is something for everyone.
See entry forms, fees and key dates »
🥫 BBQ Sauce Category
Category Selection Note: Entrants are responsible for selecting the category that best represents their product. Judges will evaluate each entry according to the category in which it is entered. NBBQA reserves the right to move an entry to a more appropriate category if needed.
| Fruit BBQ SauceThe key foundation ingredient must be fruit and must be reflected in the product’s top 5 ingredients. Tomato is not considered a fruit in this case. Tomato-based sauces have their own categories below. |
| Mustard BBQ SauceThe key foundation ingredient must be mustard and must be reflected in the product’s top 5 ingredients. |
| Vinegar Mild BBQ SauceThe key foundation style must be vinegar and must be reflected in the product’s top 5 ingredients and flavor. It should have a mild disposition. |
| Vinegar Spicy BBQ SauceThe key foundation style must be vinegar and must be reflected in the product’s top 5 ingredients. It should have a spicy disposition. |
| Tomato Mild BBQ SauceThe key foundation ingredient must be tomato (ketchup, tomato paste, etc.). The top 5 ingredients must include tomato and a mild component. |
| Tomato Spicy BBQ SauceThe key foundation ingredient must be tomato (ketchup, tomato paste, etc.). The top 5 ingredients must include tomato and a spicy component. |
| Original BBQ SauceUPDATEDThe entrant’s original sauce: the signature or “house” recipe the brand is known for. It may be any style. |
| Unique BBQ SauceNEWA sauce that is unique or different and does not fit into the other categories, such as, but not limited to, Korean barbecue sauce, curry sauce, mole, and similar. |
Include your Contestant Entry Form and the BBQ Sauce entry form in your shipment of entries.
🧂 BBQ Rub Category
Category Selection Note: Entrants are responsible for selecting the category that best represents their product. Judges will evaluate each entry according to the category in which it is entered. NBBQA reserves the right to move an entry to a more appropriate category if needed.
| Beef RubA rub designed to be cooked with beef, whether barbecued low and slow on smoke or hot and fast grilled. |
| Pork RubA rub designed to be cooked with pork, whether barbecued low and slow on smoke or hot and fast grilled. |
| Poultry RubA rub designed to be cooked with poultry, e.g., chicken, turkey, or similar, whether barbecued low and slow on smoke or hot and fast grilled. |
| Seafood RubA rub designed to be cooked with seafood, e.g., fish, crustacean, or similar, whether barbecued low and slow on smoke or hot and fast grilled. |
| Spicy RubA rub designed to be spicy and have a kick to it. The spice must be reflected in the product’s top 5 ingredients and flavor. |
| Original BBQ RubUPDATEDThe entrant’s original rub: the signature or “house” recipe the brand is known for. It may be any style. |
| Unique BBQ RubNEWA rub that is unique or different and does not fit into the other categories, such as, but not limited to, base rubs, finishing rubs, game rubs, and similar. |
Include your Contestant Entry Form and the BBQ Rub entry form in your shipment of entries.
🍽️ BBQ Food Category
Category Selection Note: Entrants are responsible for selecting the category that best represents their product. Judges will evaluate each entry according to the category in which it is entered. NBBQA reserves the right to move an entry to a more appropriate category if needed.
| BBQ Gift PackFor retail-ready gift packs that feature barbecue, grilling, live fire, or outdoor cooking products. Gift packs should include at least three items, with at least two edible products, and must be commercially available for purchase. |
| BBQ SnacksFor barbecue-inspired snacks that are commercially available and ready for consumers to enjoy. Examples may include jerky, chips, crackers, nuts, popcorn, pork rinds, snack mixes, or other BBQ-themed snack products. |
| BBQ MarinadeFor marinades designed to add flavor, tenderness, or moisture to barbecue, grilling, smoking, or live fire proteins. This category may include marinades for beef, pork, poultry, seafood, wild game, vegetables, or other barbecue-friendly foods. |
| BBQ Sides & CondimentsNEWFor packaged barbecue sides and condiments that are commercially available and packed to meet health and safety standards. Examples may include pickles, relishes, baked beans, slaw dressing, hot sauce, chow-chow, pepper jelly, or other BBQ-friendly sides and condiments. |
Include your Contestant Entry Form and the BBQ Food entry form with your entries.
🔧 Equipment & Product Design Category
Category Selection Note: Entrants are responsible for selecting the category that best represents their product. Judges will evaluate each entry according to the category in which it is entered. NBBQA reserves the right to move an entry to a more appropriate category if needed.
| BBQ Tool / AccessoryFor tools, accessories, or products used in barbecue, grilling, smoking, live fire cooking, food preparation, serving, cleaning, safety, organization, or general barbecue operations. |
| ApparelFor barbecue-related clothing or branded merchandise. This category may include shirts, aprons, hats, jackets, uniforms, team apparel, restaurant merchandise, product-branded apparel, or other wearable BBQ items. |
| Product Label DesignFor product labels that demonstrate strong visual appeal, clear branding, shelf presence, creativity, and effective communication. This category is open to labels for sauces, rubs, marinades, snacks, beverages, or other barbecue-related products. |
Include your Contestant Entry Form and the BBQ Equipment entry form with your entries.
🔥 BBQ Fuel CategoryNEW
Category Selection Note: Entrants are responsible for selecting the category that best represents their product. Judges will evaluate each entry according to the category in which it is entered. NBBQA reserves the right to move an entry to a more appropriate category if needed.
| Charcoal BriquettesFor commercially available charcoal briquettes designed for barbecue, grilling, smoking, live fire cooking, or outdoor cooking. This category may include traditional briquettes, all-natural briquettes, flavored briquettes, or specialty charcoal briquette products. |
| Lump CharcoalFor commercially available lump charcoal products designed for barbecue, grilling, smoking, live fire cooking, or outdoor cooking. This category may include hardwood lump charcoal, premium lump charcoal, restaurant-grade lump charcoal, or specialty lump charcoal products. |
| Wood PelletsFor cooking pellets designed for pellet grills, smokers, or live fire cooking applications. This category may include single-wood pellets, blended wood pellets, flavored pellets, or specialty pellet products. |
| Wood Chunks, Chips & SplitsFor wood chunks, wood chips, split wood, or cooking logs used to add smoke flavor or fuel the fire during barbecue, grilling, smoking, or live fire cooking. This category may include single-species, blended, fruitwood, or hardwood products such as oak, hickory, pecan, or mesquite. |
| Fire StartersFor products designed to help safely and efficiently start charcoal, wood, pellets, or live fire cooking fuel. This category may include tumbleweeds, wax starters, natural fire starters, wood wool starters, starter cubes, gel starters, or other BBQ-safe fire-starting products. |
Include your Contestant Entry Form and the BBQ Fuel (Page 1 and Page 2) entry form with your entries.
💻 BBQ Digital Media Category
Category Selection Note: Entrants are responsible for selecting the category that best represents their work. Judges will evaluate each entry according to the category in which it is entered. NBBQA reserves the right to move an entry to a more appropriate category if needed.
| BBQ BlogFor standalone or website-integrated blogs focused on barbecue, grilling, live fire cooking, outdoor cooking, competition barbecue, barbecue business, recipes, products, people, or BBQ culture. |
| BBQ WebsiteFor websites focused on barbecue products, brands, personalities, media, events, education, e-commerce, news, entertainment, recipes, restaurants, competitions, or BBQ-related services. |
| BBQ Audio SeriesFor podcasts, radio shows, or similar audio programs focused on barbecue, grilling, live fire cooking, outdoor cooking, barbecue business, competition, recipes, products, people, or BBQ culture. The series must include at least six original episodes released between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. Entrants should submit three episodes for judging. |
| BBQ Video SeriesFor video series appearing on YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, television, streaming platforms, or other video channels. The series must include at least six original episodes released between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. Entrants should submit three episodes for judging. |
| Single BBQ-Focused VideoFor a standalone video or feature focused on barbecue news, instruction, entertainment, education, products, people, events, recipes, competitions, or BBQ culture. Videos entered in this category may not also be entered in the BBQ Video Series category. Must be released between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. |
| BBQ Short-Form Video, 60 Seconds or LessFor short-form videos created for social media or digital platforms. Videos must be 60 seconds or less and focus on barbecue, grilling, live fire cooking, products, people, recipes, education, entertainment, events, or BBQ culture. Must be posted between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. |
Include your Contestant Entry Form and the BBQ Digital entry form with your entries.
📚 BBQ Publications & Literary Works
Category Selection Note: Entrants are responsible for selecting the category that best represents their work. Judges will evaluate each entry according to the category in which it is entered. NBBQA reserves the right to move an entry to a more appropriate category if needed.
| Educational WritingFor articles, columns, or written features that teach, explain, or instruct readers on barbecue techniques, cooking methods, food science, equipment use, business practices, judging, competition preparation, or other BBQ-related skills. Must be published between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. |
| BBQ Feature ArticleFor articles or written features that highlight barbecue stories, people, places, events, humor, news, entertainment, trends, restaurants, competitions, products, or BBQ culture. Must be published between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. |
| BBQ Book of the YearFor barbecue-related books published between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. Books may include recipes, instruction, history, storytelling, photography, business education, culture, travel, or other barbecue-related subject matter. Books from any country are eligible. |
| Marketing MaterialFor barbecue-related marketing or promotional materials used between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. Examples may include flyers, brochures, calendars, stickers, koozies, recipe cards, rack cards, product inserts, menus, posters, mailers, or other promotional pieces. |
Include your Contestant Entry Form and the BBQ Publication entry form with your entries.
📸 BBQ Photography Awards
Category Selection Note: Entrants are responsible for selecting the category that best represents their work. Judges will evaluate each entry according to the category in which it is entered. NBBQA reserves the right to move an entry to a more appropriate category if needed.
| BBQ Commercial PhotographFor photographs used for advertising, packaging, branding, marketing, product promotion, restaurant promotion, event promotion, or other commercial purposes in print or digital form between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. |
| BBQ Blog / Personal PhotographFor unpaid photographs shared through a blog, webpage, social media platform, newsletter, personal digital channel, or community page between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. |
| BBQ Character PhotoFor photographs that capture the people, personality, emotion, humor, grit, tradition, or culture of barbecue between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. Subjects may include pitmasters, teams, restaurant owners, cooks, judges, families, volunteers, competitions, events, or barbecue communities. |
| BBQ Food PhotoFor photographs where barbecue, grilled food, live fire food, or BBQ-related food is the primary focus of the image and accounts for at least 70% of the photograph. Photos must have been taken between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. |
| Live Fire PhotoFor photographs where fire, flame, smoke, coals, embers, or live fire cooking is the primary focus of the image and accounts for at least 70% of the photograph. Photos must have been taken between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. |
Include your Contestant Entry Form and the BBQ Photography entry form with your entries.
🍹 BBQ Drinks Category
Category Selection Note: Entrants are responsible for selecting the category that best represents their product. Judges will evaluate each entry according to the category in which it is entered. NBBQA reserves the right to move an entry to a more appropriate category if needed.
| BBQ Drink MixersFor beverage mixers that pair well with barbecue, grilling, live fire cooking, outdoor entertaining, or BBQ culture. Examples may include Bloody Mary mixes, margarita mixes, cocktail mixers, mocktail mixers, tea blends, lemonade bases, or other drink mixers. Drink mixers must be premade and ready to pour. No recipe required. |
| Nonalcoholic BeveragesFor alcohol-free beverages that pair well with barbecue, grilling, live fire cooking, outdoor entertaining, or BBQ culture. Examples may include sodas, teas, lemonades, juices, mocktails, sparkling beverages, or other nonalcoholic drinks. |
Each entry must be at least 6 servings. Alcoholic beverages are not accepted.
Include your Contestant Entry Form and the BBQ Drinks entry form with your entries.
🎨 BBQ Art CategoryNEW
Category Selection Note: Entrants are responsible for selecting the category that best represents their work. Judges will evaluate each entry according to the category in which it is entered. NBBQA reserves the right to move an entry to a more appropriate category if needed.
| 2-D ArtFor original paintings, drawings, prints, or digital art prints with a barbecue or grilling theme. |
| 3-D ArtFor original sculpture, carving, metal art, ceramics, glass, or other three-dimensional artwork with a barbecue or grilling theme. |
| Functional ArtFor handmade artistic pieces meant to be used, such as cutting boards, carved tools, signs, tiles, or other functional items with a barbecue or grilling theme. |
| Jewelry & Wearable ArtFor original jewelry and wearable art with a barbecue or grilling theme. Examples may include necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pins, belt buckles, hat bands, or other wearable pieces. |
| Textile, Fiber & Leather ArtFor original quilts, embroidery, weaving, tooled leather, sewn pieces, or other fiber and leather artwork with a barbecue or grilling theme. |
| Mixed Media & Other ArtFor original artwork that does not clearly fit the other art categories. Examples may include mosaic, pyrography, sand art, or other creative works with a barbecue or grilling theme. Photography should be entered in the BBQ Photography Awards. |
Artwork must be original, made by the named artist, and have a barbecue or grilling theme. Artwork does not have to be for sale: pieces for sale, already sold, commissioned, and one-of-a-kind work are all eligible. Artwork may be shipped for judging or judged from photos (see the Entry Rules). Artwork made mainly with AI image tools is not eligible.
Include your Contestant Entry Form and the BBQ Art (Page 1 and Page 2) entry form with your entries.
🏆 Special AwardsNEW
| New Product of the YearFor any entry first launched for sale between December 1, 2025 and November 23, 2026. List qualifying products on your Contestant Entry Form. Add-on fee: $25 per product (members) / $35 (non-members), in addition to the category entry fee. Finalists are chosen from each category’s Top 5. |
| Community Impact AwardHonors a BBQ business or person who uses barbecue to give back, such as feeding first responders, disaster relief cooks, fundraisers, youth programs, or mentoring. Anyone may nominate, including self-nominations. Nomination fee: $10. Send the nomination form and fee by Monday, November 23, 2026. |
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Ready to Enter? All entries, physical and digital, must be received in our Douglas, Georgia office by Monday, November 23, 2026. Phone: (800) 385-0002 Email: admin@NBBQA.org |