🔥 The December 2025 Issue of Barbecue News Magazine Is Here!
🔥 The December 2025 Issue of Barbecue News Magazine Is Here!
The final issue of 2025 has landed — and it’s a special milestone for our barbecue family.
More than 35 years ago, Dr. Donald “Doc” Gillis and Joe Phelps had a simple but powerful idea: create a publication that connected cooks, competitors, and backyard pitmasters through stories, results, tips, and encouragement. What began as the National Barbecue News has grown into what we now know as Barbecue News Magazine — the longest-running barbecue publication in the world and a cornerstone of the NBBQA community.
This year, that legacy was recognized in a big way with the magazine’s Impact Award and induction into the American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame. The December 2025 issue celebrates that honor, the families behind the pages, and the next chapter ahead.
Here’s a taste of what you’ll find inside:
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“End of an Era” – Publisher Kell Phelps reflects on Doc, Joe, their vision, and the close of the long-running print chapter as the magazine looks toward a digital future.
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Holiday Recipes – From Texas-Style Beef Back Ribs (Ray Sheehan) to Maple Bacon Bread Pudding (Rylee Wright), your Christmas table is covered.
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NBBQA Announces Live Fire Championship – Get the first look at this exciting new national championship event.
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Honoring Barbecue News Magazine’s Story – A tribute from The Shed BBQ & Blue’s Joint and a feature on “Honoring Those Who Lift BBQ Higher.”
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Seasonal Features – Christmas Traditions with Christy Jones and a Holiday Gift Guide for BBQ Lovers from Smoke ’n Magic.
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Technology & Marketplace – Ardie Davis walks through Technology Changes in BBQ, plus the updated BBQ Directory & Marketplace to help you discover new brands and services.
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Regional & Partner Spotlights – Happy Holidays from NEBS, top BBQ Hot Spots, and Golden Rule BBQ Continues to Grow from The Smoke Sheet.
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How Meat Really Cooks – Meathead explains “What happens when you cook meat?” in an approachable, science-based article.
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Event Coverage & Previews – A recap of Kansas City Royal 2025, the First Ever Kingsford Invitational, and a dedicated feature on the 2026 NBBQA Conference so you can start planning for Nashville now.
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More from Ray Sheehan & Friends – The Grillmaster’s Holiday Gift Guide, Elevate Your BBQ Game, Grill and Smoke Like a Pro, and The Perfect Starter Grill to help you equip the next generation of pitmasters.
This issue is both a love letter to where we’ve been and a launchpad for where we’re going — built on the foundation laid by Doc Gillis and Joe Phelps and carried forward by the entire NBBQA family.
👉 Dive into the Barbecue News Magazine's December 2025 digital issue today at nbbqa.org on the homepage menu (Make sure you are logged into your NBBQA membership portal).