GRAND CHAMPION - Iowa's Smokey D's BBQ - The 2023 Rose Festival BBQ - State Center, Iowa
STATE CENTER, IA (BBQCRITIC.COM) - What a beautiful day for the 2023 Rose Festival BBQ contest in State Center, IA. This place is known as "The Rose Capital of Iowa." Well my appetite is in full bloom and I'm ready to judge BBQ!
I remember one time I drove by State Center on a bitter-cold winter day, and slowly made my way around the snow-covered roads. The Rose Garden was in it's dormancy stage. Streets were bare of BBQ teams, no judge tent in sight.
Yet memories flowed through my mind of warmer days when the aroma of BBQ filled the air. Now it's all back again and it's going to be another great year of making more BBQ memories.
I drove down here with my BBQ judge buddy Francis Dutton. We arrived very early, so we walked around and greeted all the teams.
On our way back to the judge tent, we ran into a gathering of cooks in the street about ready to do their traditional 9:22 shots. Wags Backwoods BBQ made the preparations and Machete Boys BBQ called up pitmaster Steve Lauer (Phoenix BBQ) to do a remote toast. Very fun!
I remember one time I drove by State Center on a bitter-cold winter day, and slowly made my way around the snow-covered roads. The Rose Garden was in it's dormancy stage. Streets were bare of BBQ teams, no judge tent in sight.
Yet memories flowed through my mind of warmer days when the aroma of BBQ filled the air. Now it's all back again and it's going to be another great year of making more BBQ memories.
I drove down here with my BBQ judge buddy Francis Dutton. We arrived very early, so we walked around and greeted all the teams.
On our way back to the judge tent, we ran into a gathering of cooks in the street about ready to do their traditional 9:22 shots. Wags Backwoods BBQ made the preparations and Machete Boys BBQ called up pitmaster Steve Lauer (Phoenix BBQ) to do a remote toast. Very fun!
VIDEO CLIP 9:22 Shots
 WAGS BACKWOODS BBQ PREPARING THE SHOTS |  BBQ TEAMS GATHER FOR THE 9;22 SHOTS |
We arrived back at the judge tent and sat at our assigned tables. BBQ judges Cindy and Craig Wells were volunteers today. They have been helping me judge BBQ restaurants for BBQ CRITIC (watch for forth coming reviews) and they are always excited to help. So I gave Craig a Leather Patch BBQ Critic hat today. Yes, Craig, you are an official BBQ CRITIC JUDGE!
Craig Wells (left) poses with BBQ Critic Herb Kane after receiving his new BBQ CRITIC hat.
It was great to be seated with John Parks (KCBS Master BBQ Judge and former Competition Cook) and Steve Carfrae (KCBS BBQ Judge and LTS BBQ pitmaster). John and Steve both execute their judging in a serious way. I was in good company, and so were all the cooks who would land on our table.
The BBQ CRITIC Judge Table at 2023 Rose Festival BBQ
Contest organizer Megan Willier stopped in the judge tent to say a few words to us. "God blessed us this weekend," said Megan. Then she paused with emotion. You could sense a love and concern regarding a situation she had to face with family that almost prevented her from being at the contest. I just knew everything was is in God's hands to help her out.
VIDEO CLIP
Wags Backwoods BBQ said in his Facebook post, "Megan Willier and her team do a fantastic job at this contest. She cares a TON about this contest and takes great care of us as competitors. Without her and people like her, we don't get to do this thing we love. There are simply not enough words of thanks to convey our gratitude!"
VIDEO CLIP- Judge's Oath
There is always a funny story to tell at a BBQ contest. Andy Fales (WHO 13 News reporter) talked about the Rose Festival BBQ in his TV news broadcast and commented on Darren Warth (Iowa's Smokey D's): "That guy could cook an old shoe and I would eat it guys. Oh, he can cook!" Darren, of course, received a lot of funny comments from fellow pitmasters on this.
The Smokey D's BBQ Facebook page even posted a photo and said, "Brisket and Pork is wrapped on this beautiful morning at the Iowa's Rose Festival BBQ Competition. Ribs just went on and Darren put a little something special on the pit in case Andy Fales (WHO 13 News) shows up for lunch."
The Smokey D's BBQ Facebook page even posted a photo and said, "Brisket and Pork is wrapped on this beautiful morning at the Iowa's Rose Festival BBQ Competition. Ribs just went on and Darren put a little something special on the pit in case Andy Fales (WHO 13 News) shows up for lunch."
"That guy could cook an old shoe and I would eat it guys. Oh, he can cook!" Andy Fales (WHO 13 News
Hilarious! I don't know how that shoe turned out, but I can tell you this. Darren Warth did not need that shoe to walk to his Grand Champion win today. It was adorable to watch his grandchild help Grandpa accept the awards. Precious moments right there!
Darren is a very down to earth kind of guy, yet he is legendary in the world of BBQ. I got involved in judging BBQ back in 2008 and always attend the awards. I have watched Darren win a ton of Grand Champions since then; and many other top awards and accolades. He owns the popular Smokey D's BBQ in Des Moines, IA and his trophies are everywhere there.
This coming fall, Darren will be inducted into the BBQ HALL OF FAME. I am excited for him, and his wife Sherry who has been by his side the whole time. This is very exciting and I will tell you this recognition is well-deserved.
Congratulations, Darren and Sherry!
Kyle Johnson is a "Memphis in May" Turkey Smoke World Champion, and has won a Grand Champion in the KCBS Pro Series and other top placing wins. Another down to earth guy who is starting to rise up in BBQ, and his wife Tara is usually with him, but today it was all Kyle.
This coming fall, Darren will be inducted into the BBQ HALL OF FAME. I am excited for him, and his wife Sherry who has been by his side the whole time. This is very exciting and I will tell you this recognition is well-deserved.
Congratulations, Darren and Sherry!
Kyle Johnson is a "Memphis in May" Turkey Smoke World Champion, and has won a Grand Champion in the KCBS Pro Series and other top placing wins. Another down to earth guy who is starting to rise up in BBQ, and his wife Tara is usually with him, but today it was all Kyle.
Kyle Johnson (T-REX BBQ) working on his Reserve Grand Champion
I always enjoy those moments when friends win a contest and this was one of those moments. Darren Warth and Kyle Johnson, especially this weekend, made this contest a very fun experience for me. So it was really a privilege and honor to stand with them in this photo right after the awards.
Left to right: Darren Warth (Iowa's Smokey D's), Herb Kane (BBQCRITIC.COM) and Kyle Johnson (T-REX BBQ)
Prior to the contest, Kyle and I agreed to bring each other care packages. I received a T-REX BBQ hat and t-shirts. I gave Kyle a BBQ CRITIC hat, stickers, magnet and a container of potato salad. Oh, and he also surprised me with a bag of Puff Pillows from Jaarsma Bakery.
 Herb and Kyle |  PUFF PILLOW from Jaarsma Bakery |
T-REX Swag for the BBQ CRITC! Thanks, Kyle!
I love Puff Pillow pastries! Kyle bought these for me last year, too. Puff Pillows are becoming a tradition in the same way I bring Darren Warth (Iowa's Smokey D's) potato salad at BBQ contests.
Darren posted this photo on Facebook and said, "It’s a great day when Herb Kane shows up with homemade potato salad at a comp. Best potato salad I’ve ever tasted. $10 says the container doesn’t make it past turn ins. Thanks for thinking of me Herb."
Darren posted this photo on Facebook and said, "It’s a great day when Herb Kane shows up with homemade potato salad at a comp. Best potato salad I’ve ever tasted. $10 says the container doesn’t make it past turn ins. Thanks for thinking of me Herb."
Darren and Herb
I am having a blast with all this potato salad stuff and it really is fun to share it with others. I've learned, though, there are some shinnanigans going on in attempt to get a hold of Darren's potato salad.
A few days before the contest, Kyle texted me, "Don't forget my potato salad this weekend. Darren said he didn't want any."
I think Kyle wanted Darren's share. Nice try, Kyle! I gave Jeff Vanderlinde (Shiggin' & Grinnin') some potato salad so he wouldn't snatch up Darren's container. I think it worked!
A few days before the contest, Kyle texted me, "Don't forget my potato salad this weekend. Darren said he didn't want any."
I think Kyle wanted Darren's share. Nice try, Kyle! I gave Jeff Vanderlinde (Shiggin' & Grinnin') some potato salad so he wouldn't snatch up Darren's container. I think it worked!
Jeff Vanderlinde (Shiggin' & Grinnin')
I felt bad I was short on potato salad for Luscious Loins BBQ (I missed out on their delicious stuffed mushrooms!) and Machete Boys BBQ. Sorry I ran short, guys. You are at the top of on my list! Well, right under Darren.
It was great giving out my new BBQ CRITIC APPROVED stickers to teams. It is a fun way for me to thank them for what they do for us judges: Cooking up some of the most delicious competition BBQ on earth!
For those teams who did not get a sticker, just hit me up at a contest. and I will give you one and take your photo for the BBQ CRITIC site.
It was great giving out my new BBQ CRITIC APPROVED stickers to teams. It is a fun way for me to thank them for what they do for us judges: Cooking up some of the most delicious competition BBQ on earth!
For those teams who did not get a sticker, just hit me up at a contest. and I will give you one and take your photo for the BBQ CRITIC site.
BBQ CRITIC APPROVED TEAMS
MACHETE BOYS BBQ
SHIGGIN' & GRINNIN"
CHILLIN 'N' GRILLIN 'N' IOWA BBQ
DARTY-Q
LTS BBQ
GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS
IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S
WAGS BACKWOODS BBQ
T-REX BBQ
LUSCIOUS LOINS
SMOKIN' GRUMPS BBQ
I got a sense Francis had a heavy heart remembering last year when he judged this contest with his wife Christine. She passed away in late 2022 and I know this was affecting him. He told me the memories were all good ones, and Christine would have enjoyed this contest immensely.
The SMOKHOUSE 72 BBQ team (brother's Ray & Jay Ringgenberg) named their new gravity smoker "Christine" in honor of her. So cool!
By the way, check out SMOKEHOUSE 72's "Sweet & Savory" BBQ rub. It is the first BBQ CRITIC APPROVED product. Read the review here.
The SMOKHOUSE 72 BBQ team (brother's Ray & Jay Ringgenberg) named their new gravity smoker "Christine" in honor of her. So cool!
By the way, check out SMOKEHOUSE 72's "Sweet & Savory" BBQ rub. It is the first BBQ CRITIC APPROVED product. Read the review here.
BBQ CRITIC photo from "KING OF THE CORN" BBQ contest 2023
JUDGING THE BOXES
KCBS Reps Jonathan and Clara Williams did a great job in the judge tent. I don't know what is happening, but the turn ins at contests these days are all fantastic.
CHICKEN: I looked around the tables and saw everything from wings, breasts. legs and thighs. It all looked so delicious! Our chicken table was amazing. Oh my, all the 9's!
RIBS: Probably my least favorite category of the day, but the two I liked were a 999.
PORK: Oh, man! So delicious and so many creative ways the boxes were laid out. Cooks, please make sure if you want to include two or more different types of pork such as money muscle, chunks, pulled, etc., to ONLY ADD THE GOOD MEATS in the box. If one did not turn out that great, scrap it.
BRISKET: I noticed today how the texture of the meat can really help enhance the flavor of the brisket.
Slices can be solid-like (hard/dry) or can stretch out nicely like an accordion (moist/tender). When it has just the right amount of smoke, tenderness and rendered fat (marbling) in that slice, it is music to my taste buds! There were a couple of boxes that nailed it.
Competitions are becoming more difficult to win because the overall quality of boxes are so high. Way different compared to when I started judging back in 2008. The scores will be very close, indeed.
The awards ceremony at the Rose Festival BBQ is always exciting to watch; and I have witnessed many over the years. Congrats to all the teams competing and those who got calls.
While taking photos of the TOP 3 winners in each category, strangely I heard someone say, "Bubba-Q's" from the crowd of cooks. It immediately reminded me of all the good times I had cooking with Bubba & Sabrina Knapp (who own Bubba-Q's restaurant in Ottumwa, IA). They now live in Cody, WY and I wish they could be here today. They won Grand Champion here at the Rose Festival BBQ in 2011. What a great memory!
CHICKEN: I looked around the tables and saw everything from wings, breasts. legs and thighs. It all looked so delicious! Our chicken table was amazing. Oh my, all the 9's!
RIBS: Probably my least favorite category of the day, but the two I liked were a 999.
PORK: Oh, man! So delicious and so many creative ways the boxes were laid out. Cooks, please make sure if you want to include two or more different types of pork such as money muscle, chunks, pulled, etc., to ONLY ADD THE GOOD MEATS in the box. If one did not turn out that great, scrap it.
BRISKET: I noticed today how the texture of the meat can really help enhance the flavor of the brisket.
Slices can be solid-like (hard/dry) or can stretch out nicely like an accordion (moist/tender). When it has just the right amount of smoke, tenderness and rendered fat (marbling) in that slice, it is music to my taste buds! There were a couple of boxes that nailed it.
Competitions are becoming more difficult to win because the overall quality of boxes are so high. Way different compared to when I started judging back in 2008. The scores will be very close, indeed.
The awards ceremony at the Rose Festival BBQ is always exciting to watch; and I have witnessed many over the years. Congrats to all the teams competing and those who got calls.
While taking photos of the TOP 3 winners in each category, strangely I heard someone say, "Bubba-Q's" from the crowd of cooks. It immediately reminded me of all the good times I had cooking with Bubba & Sabrina Knapp (who own Bubba-Q's restaurant in Ottumwa, IA). They now live in Cody, WY and I wish they could be here today. They won Grand Champion here at the Rose Festival BBQ in 2011. What a great memory!
I have many great memories cooking with Bubba-Q's over the years at the Rose Festival BBQ in State Center, IA. This is their GRAND CHAMPION win in 2011
FINAL THOUGHTS
Well it won't be too long and winter will return to State Center. The community will be layered in snow and the beautiful Rose Garden will once again go dormant.
Thinking of roses, I remember singer Bette Midler once said in her song THE ROSE, "I say love, it is a flower, and you, it's only seed."
Well if we are the seeds of love, I saw a lot of it planted and growing at the Rose Festival BBQ this year.
Moments like when Megan Willier was going through a stressful time and cooks showing appreciation for everything she does to make this event successful, or watching Darren and Sherry Warth loving up their grandchild, or Francis Dutton reflecting on the love of his life who passed on to be with God. Even the simple act of sharing food and stories and memories with each other, and experiencing all the fun that can be had at a BBQ competition.
The seeds have been planted!
Like the Rose Garden in State Center, we will all bloom again and come back next year to see our BBQ family. Bette Midler describes this best at the very end of her song THE ROSE:
Just remember
in the Winter
Far beneath
the bitter snows
Lies the Seed
that with the sun's love
In the Spring
becomes the rose.
- BBQ CRITIC
Thinking of roses, I remember singer Bette Midler once said in her song THE ROSE, "I say love, it is a flower, and you, it's only seed."
Well if we are the seeds of love, I saw a lot of it planted and growing at the Rose Festival BBQ this year.
Moments like when Megan Willier was going through a stressful time and cooks showing appreciation for everything she does to make this event successful, or watching Darren and Sherry Warth loving up their grandchild, or Francis Dutton reflecting on the love of his life who passed on to be with God. Even the simple act of sharing food and stories and memories with each other, and experiencing all the fun that can be had at a BBQ competition.
The seeds have been planted!
Like the Rose Garden in State Center, we will all bloom again and come back next year to see our BBQ family. Bette Midler describes this best at the very end of her song THE ROSE:
Just remember
in the Winter
Far beneath
the bitter snows
Lies the Seed
that with the sun's love
In the Spring
becomes the rose.
- BBQ CRITIC
VIDEO - THE ROSE
KCBS PRO-SERIES AWARDS
Congratulations to all the BBQ teams who competed at the Rose Festival BBQ contest in State Center, Iowa. The BBQ judges appreciate everything you do! - BBQ CRITIC
TOP 3 OVERALL WINNERS
| GRAND CHAMPION - IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ |  RESERVE GRAND - T-REX BBQ |  3RD OVERALL - WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ |
TOP 3 CHICKEN
 1ST CHICKEN - SON OF A BOAR BBQ |  2ND CHICKEN - Matty Macks |  3RD CHICKEN - IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ |
TOP 3 PORK RIBS
 1ST RIBS - HOT DADDY'S BBQ |  2ND RIBS - DIRT CRUE BBQ |  3RD RIBS - LUSCIOUS LOINS BBQ |
TOP 3 PORK
 1ST PORK - GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS |  2ND PORK - SMOKEHOUSE 72 |  3RD PORK - SON OF A BOAR BBQ |
TOP 3 BRISKET
 1ST BRISKET - Chillin N Grillin N Iowa BBQ |  2ND BRISKET - Parrothead Smokers |  3RD BRISKET - T-Rex BBQ |
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