2027 Awards of Excellence
Key Dates, Entry Forms & Judging Information
The NBBQA Awards of Excellence celebrate the best in the commercial barbecue industry — from sauces and rubs to equipment, apparel, publications, beverages, and BBQ media. Products available for purchase in stores or online are eligible to enter.
Key Dates
- October 1, 2026 – Awards of Excellence entry window opens
- November 21, 2026 – All entries must be received by this date
- December 3-5, 2026 – Judging held at
Sweet Swine O’Mine Grill & Smoker Superstore
113 Edwards Road, Byhalia, MS 38611 - December 13,, 2026 – All Top 5 category winners notified before this date
- To Be Determined – Awards of Excellence Ceremony Dinner
at the 2027 NBBQA Conference
Location to be Determined
2027 Entry Forms
Each entrant must complete one Contestant Entry Form and include a copy with each category form entered.
Payment may be made by check or credit card.
Mail all entries to:
National Barbecue & Grilling Association
336 Phelps Road
Douglas, GA 31533
All entries must be received by November 21, 2026.
Note: The online entry form and payment system used in past years has been discontinued.
Questions? Contact NBBQA at (800) 385-0002 or admin@NBBQA.org.
Click the live links below to download PDF entry forms:
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BBQ Sauce Category Entry Form — Member $45 / Non-Member $55 (per entry)
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BBQ Rubs Category Entry Form — Member $45 / Non-Member $55 (per entry)
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BBQ Food Category Entry Form — Member $45 / Non-Member $55 (per entry)
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BBQ Equipment Category Entry Form — Member $40 / Non-Member $50 (per entry)
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BBQ Publication Category Entry Form — Member $40 / Non-Member $50 (per entry)
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BBQ Photo Category Entry Form — Member $15 / Non-Member $25 (per entry)
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BBQ Digital Category Entry Form — Member $30 / Non-Member $40 (per entry)
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New Subcategory: BBQ Short-Form Video (60 seconds or less) — Member $30 for 2 videos / Non-Member $40 for 2 videos (per 2 entries)
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BBQ Drink Mixers, Alcohol & Nonalcoholic Beverages Entry Form — Member $40 / Non-Member $50 (per entry)
Judging
Judging will take place on Thursday, December 3, 2026 - Saturday, December 5, 2026, at:
Sweet Swine O’Mine Grill & Smoker Superstore
113 Edwards Road, Byhalia, MS 38611
Judging will follow the National Barbecue Festival methodology with NBBQA judging criteria.
Judges include:
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Culinary chefs and certified judges with current credentials from NBF, SCA, KCBS, PNWBA, MBM, FBA, GBA, or the EAT methodology.
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Judges must not have any business or family connection to any entrant.
To register as a judge, click here.