Great White Smoke & Kurvball BBQ Whiskey Wins Party of the Year & Cracks Top Ten in Kansas City BBQ Competition

If you’re a BBQ fan, you already know the American Royal World Series of BBQ in Kansas City is the Super Bowl of smoking meat. From September 28 through October 1st, 2023, the Kansas City Motor Speedway was packed with pitmasters, teams, and fans from around the country, all chasing trophies, bragging rights, and maybe just the excuse to spend a long weekend surrounded by smoke and good company.

This year I had the chance to compete with the Great White Smoke team, partnering with our friends at Kurvball BBQ Whiskey. And let me tell you—it was one wild ride filled with food, friends, competition, and even an unexpected award. Let’s dig into the highlights!

Kicking Off with the Party of the Year

The American Royal isn’t just about turn-in boxes and score sheets—it’s also one of the biggest social events in the BBQ world. We started off strong by hosting a catered event in our tent on day one, serving up plates piled high with food and plenty of drinks to match. Between the eats, the atmosphere, and a little whiskey magic from Kurvball, our party turned into something special.

By the end of the night, we were announced as winners of the Party of the Year award—a huge honor considering the size and energy of this event. Getting recognized for creating a great experience for guests set the tone for the whole weekend.

Turning Up the Heat in KCBS Competition

Once the music quieted down and the smoke settled, it was time to lock in for the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) competitions. Over the next two days, we went head-to-head in the four meat categories: chicken, ribs, brisket, and pork. Every entry had to be cooked with precision, boxed just right, and turned in to the judges on time.

KCBS at the American Royal is no joke—it’s one of the toughest fields you can compete in, with world-class pitmasters bringing their A-game. Even with the pressure, our team dug deep and put forward strong cooks across the board.

Dessert, Sausage, and a Top Finish

Outside of the main KCBS categories, the American Royal also runs ancillary competitions. This year we rolled up our sleeves for both dessert and sausage—because why stop at brisket? While every dish had its fans, the real highlight came from our very own James “Grubbs.” His sausage entry cracked the top ten, landing us a proud 10th-place finish in one of the most competitive fields of the event.

That top-ten call was one of those moments that reminded us why we do this: hours of prep, lack of sleep, and endless fire management all pay off when you hear your team’s name announced.

The Spirit of the American Royal

Of course, the trophies and ribbons are nice, but what makes the American Royal special is the people. Whether it was competing against the best, sharing food and stories with fellow pitmasters, or raising a glass with our friends from Kurvball, the weekend was about more than just BBQ—it was about community.

Being part of the Great White Smoke team at such a legendary event is something I’ll never forget. Winning Party of the Year and grabbing a top-ten finish in sausage were icing on the cake.

Wrapping It Up

The 2023 American Royal World Series of BBQ at the Kansas City Motor Speedway was a whirlwind of smoke, flavor, and good times. From catering and winning Party of the Year, to battling it out in KCBS categories and celebrating a top-ten finish in sausage, our team left it all on the table.

If you’ve never been, put the American Royal on your BBQ bucket list—it’s the perfect mix of serious competition and laid-back celebration. We’ll definitely be back, chasing even bigger results and making even more memories.