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.
| Original BBQ SauceFor a brand’s original, signature, flagship, or regular barbecue sauce flavor. This category is best suited for the sauce that most represents the brand’s core barbecue sauce style. |
| Fruit BBQ SauceFor sauces where fruit is a noticeable or defining part of the flavor profile. Examples may include peach, apple, cherry, pineapple, berry, mango, or other fruit-forward sauces. Tomato is not considered a fruit for this category. |
| Mustard BBQ SauceFor sauces where mustard is a noticeable or defining part of the flavor profile. This category may include traditional mustard-based sauces, sweet mustard sauces, spicy mustard sauces, or other mustard-forward barbecue sauces. |
| Tomato Mild BBQ SauceFor tomato-based or tomato-forward sauces with a mild flavor profile. This category is best suited for sauces that highlight tomato, ketchup, tomato paste, or similar tomato-based ingredients without a strong heat level. |
| Tomato Spicy BBQ SauceFor tomato-based or tomato-forward sauces with a noticeable spicy kick. This category is best suited for sauces that balance tomato flavor with heat, bold spice, or a stronger pepper-forward profile. |
| Vinegar Mild BBQ SauceFor vinegar-style or vinegar-forward sauces with a mild flavor profile. This category is best suited for sauces where vinegar provides brightness, tang, or regional character without a strong heat level. |
| Vinegar Spicy BBQ SauceFor vinegar-style or vinegar-forward sauces with a noticeable spicy kick. This category is best suited for sauces where vinegar provides tang and balance while spice or heat plays a clear role in the flavor profile. |
| Specialty BBQ SauceFor sauces with a unique, creative, regional, international, or nontraditional flavor profile that does not clearly fit the other sauce categories. Examples may include Korean BBQ, curry, mole, Worcestershire-style, bourbon, coffee, sweet heat, fusion, or other distinctive barbecue sauces. |
| Original Recipe BBQ SauceNEWFor a barbecue sauce made from the entrant’s own original recipe. Judges will look for a well-balanced sauce with a flavor that is distinctly the brand’s own. |
| Unique BBQ SauceNEWFor a one-of-a-kind barbecue sauce that stands apart from anything else on the shelf because of an unusual ingredient, flavor combination, or style. Judges will look for originality as well as great taste. |
🧂 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.
| Original BBQ RubFor a brand’s original, signature, flagship, or regular barbecue rub. This category is best suited for the rub that most represents the brand’s core barbecue seasoning style. |
| Beef RubFor rubs the entrant believes perform especially well on beef. This category may include rubs designed for brisket, steak, tri-tip, beef ribs, burgers, or other beef applications, whether smoked low and slow or grilled hot and fast. |
| Pork RubFor rubs the entrant believes perform especially well on pork. This category may include rubs designed for pork ribs, pork shoulder, pork chops, pork tenderloin, whole hog, or other pork applications. |
| Poultry RubFor rubs the entrant believes perform especially well on poultry. This category may include rubs designed for chicken, turkey, wings, thighs, whole birds, or similar proteins prepared by barbecue, grilling, smoking, or live fire cooking. |
| Seafood RubFor rubs the entrant believes perform especially well on seafood. This category may include rubs designed for fish, shrimp, scallops, crab, oysters, or other seafood prepared by barbecue, grilling, smoking, or live fire cooking. |
| Spicy RubFor rubs with a noticeable heat level or bold spice profile. This category is best suited for rubs where pepper, chile, heat, or spice plays a clear role in the overall flavor experience. |
| Specialty BBQ RubFor rubs with a unique, creative, regional, international, or nontraditional flavor profile that does not clearly fit the other rub categories. Examples may include finishing rubs, game rubs, all-purpose blends, herb-forward rubs, sweet rubs, coffee-based rubs, citrus blends, or other distinctive barbecue seasonings. |
| Original Recipe BBQ RubNEWFor a barbecue rub made from the entrant’s own original recipe. Judges will look for a well-balanced rub with a flavor that is distinctly the brand’s own. |
| Unique BBQ RubNEWFor a one-of-a-kind barbecue rub that stands apart from anything else on the shelf because of an unusual ingredient, flavor combination, or style. Judges will look for originality as well as great taste. |
🍽️ 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. |
🔧 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. |
🔥 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 ChunksFor wood chunks used to add smoke flavor during barbecue, grilling, smoking, or live fire cooking. This category may include single-species wood chunks, blended wood chunks, fruitwood chunks, hardwood chunks, or specialty smoking wood products. |
| Wood ChipsFor wood chips used to add smoke flavor during grilling, smoking, or outdoor cooking. This category may include single-species wood chips, blended wood chips, fruitwood chips, hardwood chips, or specialty smoking chip products. |
| Cooking Wood / Split WoodFor larger cooking wood, split wood, or logs designed for offset smokers, live fire cooking, open-fire cooking, or wood-fired cooking. This category may include oak, hickory, pecan, mesquite, fruitwoods, hardwood blends, or other cooking wood products. |
| 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. |
| Specialty Fuel ProductFor barbecue, grilling, smoking, or live fire fuel products that do not clearly fit the other fuel categories. This may include infused fuels, flavored fuel products, charcoal alternatives, fuel blends, specialty smoke products, or other innovative fuel-related products. |
💻 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. |
| 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. |
📚 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. |
| BBQ Feature ArticleFor articles or written features that highlight barbecue stories, people, places, events, humor, news, entertainment, trends, restaurants, competitions, products, or BBQ culture. |
| 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. |
📸 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. |
🍹 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.
🎨 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 available for purchase. Artwork made mainly with AI image tools is not eligible.
🏆 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. |
|
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 |