MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (Heartland News) - The 39th annual Praise the Lard Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-Off is took place on September 24-26.
Organizers welcomed more than 100 teams from coast-to-coast for the contest.
Here was th schedule of events:
Thursday, Sept. 24
- Fish Fry - 5:30-8 p.m.
- Wing and Fish Contest Awards - starting at 9 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 25
ADVERTISEMENT
- Grand Champion Meal - 5:30-8 p.m.
- Live band and street dance - starting at 5:30 p.m.
- SCA-sanctioned Steak Cook-Off Awards - 9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26
- Budweiser Luck Beer Toast and Salute to Mike Mills - 10 a.m.
- Judging - all day
- Live music - all day
- Awards Ceremony - 6 p.m.
Cooks from around the country are competing for a trophy and an entry to the $1 million BBQ World Cup and Expo event in Las Vegas in April 2027.
Results
Here are the first-place winners from each event.
Memphis Barbeque Network:
- Ribs: Take it Easy BBQ
- Pulled Pork: The BBQ Bus (grand champion)
- Whole Hog: Take it Easy BBQ
Kansas City Barbecue Society:
ADVERTISEMENT
- Chicken: With A 180
- Ribs: Bourbon Barrel Barbecue
- Pork: Three Stooges Barbecue
- Brisket: BooyaQ
- Grand Champion: 1 Bite Stand
- Reserve Grand Champion: With A 180
Steak Cook-off Association 1: Brian Wallace
Steak Cook-off Association 2: Brian Neale
Dessert: Shayla Friedel
Copyright 2026 Heartland News. All rights reserved.