Kansas City Barbeque Society facts for kids
The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) is a big group that loves competitive cooking, especially barbecue! It started in Kansas City, Missouri, and is now the largest group of its kind in the world. More than 15,000 people are members.
KCBS was founded in 1985 by Carolyn and Gary Wells and Rick Welch. They wanted to create a local group for people who enjoyed competitive barbecue. Since then, it has grown a lot. KCBS now helps organize and oversee hundreds of barbecue competitions.
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Barbecue Competitions
The Kansas City Barbeque Society is the official group that approves competitive barbecue events. Every year, KCBS approves over 300 competitions across the country. It has more than 15,000 members. These members include Certified BBQ Judges (CBJs), cooking teams, and people who just love great food.
Competitions often happen with local festivals or other events. They are usually linked to raising money for good causes. Teams typically arrive on a Thursday or Friday morning. They set up their cooking equipment. This is also a time for them to spend time with their "BBQ Family."
Competitors start cooking on Friday evening. They cook through the night. They turn in their various smoked meats on Saturday afternoon. The four main types of meat KCBS teams turn in are chicken, pork ribs, pork shoulder (also called boston butt), and beef brisket.
These events often have cash prizes and trophies. The prize money can vary. Thousands of spectators often come to watch. Depending on the prize amount, teams from many different states might compete. For over 30 years, KCBS has been known as the "biggest and best" in barbecue. It sets the standard for competitive food events worldwide.
KCBS has also added a new division. This division focuses on "Grilling" or cooking over an open flame. The National Grilling Society is part of KCBS. It organizes grilled food events that do not focus on the four traditional KCBS meats. KCBS is the largest group that approves competitive food events in the world.
Certified Barbeque Judges
The Kansas City Barbeque Society uses a "blind judging" process. This means judges do not know which team cooked which food. This makes sure judging is fair. To become a Certified Barbeque Judge (CBJ), you must be at least 16 years old. You also need to attend one of the many CBJ classes held each year.
A Certified Barbeque Judge can become a Master Certified Barbeque Judge. To do this, they must judge at 30 contests. They also need to cook with a competition team. Finally, they must pass an online exam.
Judges at all KCBS competitions take a special oath. This oath was written by a famous judge named Ardie Davis.
I do solemnly swear to objectively and subjectively evaluate each Barbeque meat that is presented to my eyes, my nose, my hands and my palate. I accept my duty to be an Official KCBS Certified Judge, so that truth, justice, excellence in Barbeque and the American Way of Life may be strengthened and preserved forever.
Challenges Faced by the Organization
Like many organizations, KCBS has faced some challenges. From 2019 to 2022, the organization had some difficulties. There were changes in leadership. The founder stepped away from daily control. The Kansas City headquarters was put up for sale. These events led to a period of change for the society.
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