STATE CENTER, IA (June 18, 2022) – The Rose Festival 21st Annual BBQ contest is the longest running KCBS BBQ contest in Iowa.. I have a long history of judging (and cooking) at this event and it was an honor to be back.
My first visit to the Rose Festival BBQ Contest in State Center, Iowa, was in June of 2009. Reminiscent of that little fictional town called Mayberry, BBQ teams parked all along the streets in a residential neighborhood, and the aroma of smoke filled the air. A loud train roared through town many times a day, yet it didn’t drown out the hollering and laughter coming from all the Pit Masters (poking fun at each other) while at the same time creating some of the best BBQ on earth.
That sunny day I shaded myself under the judge tent. I slipped off my sandals to feel the cool, green grass brush against the bottom of my feet. A warm breeze softly hit my face as I waited patiently for the first turn in to arrive. The Rose Festival BBQ Contest was beginning to bloom and it would for many years to come.
My first visit to the Rose Festival BBQ Contest in State Center, Iowa, was in June of 2009. Reminiscent of that little fictional town called Mayberry, BBQ teams parked all along the streets in a residential neighborhood, and the aroma of smoke filled the air. A loud train roared through town many times a day, yet it didn’t drown out the hollering and laughter coming from all the Pit Masters (poking fun at each other) while at the same time creating some of the best BBQ on earth.
That sunny day I shaded myself under the judge tent. I slipped off my sandals to feel the cool, green grass brush against the bottom of my feet. A warm breeze softly hit my face as I waited patiently for the first turn in to arrive. The Rose Festival BBQ Contest was beginning to bloom and it would for many years to come.
JUDGING BBQ
This year I did not have grass below my feet (the judge tent was planted right in the middle of a paved street), but all the familiar faces began to arrive and everyone was excited to see each other again. Francis Dutton filled us in on his recent surgery. The more he talked, the less hungry we got, but it was interesting. KCBS contest reps (Jonathan & Clara Williams) were busy at work getting things ready for the judge meeting. We watched contest organizer Megan Willier having fun on a parade float. Not long after, we found ourselves reciting the KCBS Judge Oath and the first turn-ins arrived at noon.
I would say in each category (chicken, ribs, pork and brisket) I had at least one or two excellent samples. One common theme among the judges: Too much sauce on the chicken. This generally does not affect me, but I have to admit some did look really heavy on the sauce. Perhaps something to consider as a team on future turn-ins. For the most part, the meats submitted to me were all pretty good. Overall I felt the teams did a great job on their boxes. My favorite was the pork boxes. Absolutely beautiful and tasty.
Congrats to Hot Daddy's BBQ (GRAND CHAMPION) and Hogline (Reserve Grand) and to all teams participating this weekend. You put smiles on the judges. Special shout out to my friends Matty Mack's for his 1st place in Chicken and 1st in People's Choice. Great job, Matt! Ray & Jay (Smokehouse72) for 3rd in Ribs, David Ellis (Machete Boys BBQ) for 2nd in Pork, Kyle Johnson (T-Rex BBQ) for 2nd in Brisket. You are nailing that Brisket, Kyle! I was pleased to see Darren Warth (Iowa's Smokey D's) finish strong with a 3rd in Brisket and 4th Overall. Lots of great calls by well-deserved teams.
I would say in each category (chicken, ribs, pork and brisket) I had at least one or two excellent samples. One common theme among the judges: Too much sauce on the chicken. This generally does not affect me, but I have to admit some did look really heavy on the sauce. Perhaps something to consider as a team on future turn-ins. For the most part, the meats submitted to me were all pretty good. Overall I felt the teams did a great job on their boxes. My favorite was the pork boxes. Absolutely beautiful and tasty.
Congrats to Hot Daddy's BBQ (GRAND CHAMPION) and Hogline (Reserve Grand) and to all teams participating this weekend. You put smiles on the judges. Special shout out to my friends Matty Mack's for his 1st place in Chicken and 1st in People's Choice. Great job, Matt! Ray & Jay (Smokehouse72) for 3rd in Ribs, David Ellis (Machete Boys BBQ) for 2nd in Pork, Kyle Johnson (T-Rex BBQ) for 2nd in Brisket. You are nailing that Brisket, Kyle! I was pleased to see Darren Warth (Iowa's Smokey D's) finish strong with a 3rd in Brisket and 4th Overall. Lots of great calls by well-deserved teams.
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
TOP FIVE OVERALL WINNERS
GRAND CHAMPION: Hot Daddy's BBQ
 RESERVE GRAND: Hogline |  3RD: Shiggin & Grinnin |
 4TH: Iowa's Smokey D's BBQ |  5TH: Phoenix BBQ |
FRIDAY NIGHT
Instead of arriving on Saturday morning to judge, I came one day early to hang out with friends Friday night. There is always something interesting happening, especially at the T-Rex BBQ camp. Kyle Johnson and his teammate Sean McDermott were all decked out in their Friday night attire: Hawaiian shirts and sandals (a tradition that keeps them in a festive spirit). Great idea! Boy was Sean and Kyle excited.
Their young daughters (Kylee Johnson and Carlee McDermott, aka Bestie-Q) entered ribs in the People’s Choice category. David Ellis (Machete Boys BBQ) even gave the girls a quick lesson in trimming ribs, knife skills and applying rubs evenly. The girls competed against all the adult teams and landed 2nd Place (out of 9 teams)! Matty Mack’s nailed 1st and BAMBQ 3rd. Holy Cow excitement broke out. Kyle and Sean were the proudest dads on the planet earth. Like I said, there is always excitement going on at the T-Rex camp and this was a very special family moment.
Congratulations Bestie-Q!
Their young daughters (Kylee Johnson and Carlee McDermott, aka Bestie-Q) entered ribs in the People’s Choice category. David Ellis (Machete Boys BBQ) even gave the girls a quick lesson in trimming ribs, knife skills and applying rubs evenly. The girls competed against all the adult teams and landed 2nd Place (out of 9 teams)! Matty Mack’s nailed 1st and BAMBQ 3rd. Holy Cow excitement broke out. Kyle and Sean were the proudest dads on the planet earth. Like I said, there is always excitement going on at the T-Rex camp and this was a very special family moment.
Congratulations Bestie-Q!
TOP THREE PEOPLE'S CHOICE (Ribs)
1ST PLACE: MATTY MACK'S
 2ND PLACE: BESTIE-Q |  3RD PLACE: BAMBQ |
BESTIE-Q PHOTOS
 Sean McDermott and Kyle Johnson with their "People's Choice" daughters Carlee McDermott and Kylee Johnson (Bestie-Q) |  People's Choice: Matt (Matty Mack's) 1st place posing with 2nd place finishers Kylee Johnson and Carlee Mcdermott (Bestie-Q) |  Carlee McDermott and Kylee Johnson displaying their really cool Bestie-Q team logo shirts. Pure style! |  David Ellis (Machete Boys BBQ) giving the Bestie-Q girls a quick lesson in cutting ribs and other hot tips. |
BBQ CRITIC BONUS VIDEO CLIP: Kyle Johnson and Sean McDermott just watched both their young daughters (Kylee Johnson & Carlee McDermott, aka "Bestie-Q") win 2nd place People's Choice beating out seven grown adult teams. What a thrill! Moments like this is what BBQ contests are all about. Family and friends coming together for the love of BBQ and fun.
Congrats to BAMBQ - took 1st in Kid's Choice and 3rd in People's Choice.
GRUMPY OLD FARTS BBQ
Speaking of family, Darren Warth (Iowa's Smokey D's) was on a fishing trip this week in honor of his father-in-law who years-ago had a BBQ competition team called "Grumpy Old Farts BBQ." I remember them from back in the day when I first became a judge.
Darren posted about his trip on Facebook, "Today we made the trek out to Mick’s Hump, the father in laws favorite place to fish. When he passed away, we took his tackle box which had about $700 worth of lures in it and filled the pockets with rocks and sunk it to the bottom of the lake. Every year we stop by and celebrate Mick, have a drink and share some great stories. Sure do miss the grumpy old fart."
What a heart touching story. Thanks for letting me share this, Darren. I can think of another tradition involving Darren Warth.
Darren posted about his trip on Facebook, "Today we made the trek out to Mick’s Hump, the father in laws favorite place to fish. When he passed away, we took his tackle box which had about $700 worth of lures in it and filled the pockets with rocks and sunk it to the bottom of the lake. Every year we stop by and celebrate Mick, have a drink and share some great stories. Sure do miss the grumpy old fart."
What a heart touching story. Thanks for letting me share this, Darren. I can think of another tradition involving Darren Warth.
POTATO SALAD
In July (2011) I drove up to Whiting, Iowa at the “Whiting Fourth of July BBQ Competition” to hang out with Bubba & Sabrina Knapp (Bubba-Q’s). We decided to host a potluck for all the competitons teams and I made potato salad. It was this day Darren Warth (Iowa’s Smokey D’s) took his first bite of my potato salad and he has been bragging it up ever since. So it has become tradition for me to bring potato salad to Darren at contests when possible.
Friday night I left a few containers with his wife Sherry since Darren was not around. The next morning he posted a photo and wrote this on Facebook, “When the potato salad God drops off his special potato salad after you go to bed you have it for breakfast. So simple, so good. By far the best potato salad I’ve ever eaten. Only thing that could have made it better is eating it freshly made at room temp, that’s when the flavors really fly. Thanks for thinking of me Herb.”
You are very welcome, Darren. You have made this a really fun tradition. So thank you.
Friday night I left a few containers with his wife Sherry since Darren was not around. The next morning he posted a photo and wrote this on Facebook, “When the potato salad God drops off his special potato salad after you go to bed you have it for breakfast. So simple, so good. By far the best potato salad I’ve ever eaten. Only thing that could have made it better is eating it freshly made at room temp, that’s when the flavors really fly. Thanks for thinking of me Herb.”
You are very welcome, Darren. You have made this a really fun tradition. So thank you.
 Darren Warth (Iowa's Smokey D's) at the 2022 Rose Festival BBQ Contest in State Center, IA. |  Darren's photo of his breakfast. |
UNEXPECTED GOODIES
I am now getting requests from other BBQ teams who want to try my potato salad, so I made up a double batch for State Center and handed it out to various teams. A few teams gave me some parting gifts.
David Ellis (Machete Boys BBQ) let me try a sample of his brisket (magnificent!) and he sent me home with a vacuum packed assortment of competition meat. Going to have it for dinner this week, David. Can't wait! LTS BBQ’s Steve Carfrae (who judged with me this weekend) brought me a pile of the most tender and flavorful burnt ends. Absolutely delicious, especially over mashed potatoes and gravy.
Kyle Johnson (T-Rex BBQ) brought me bag of my favorite pastries from Jaarsma Bakery – Puff Pillows. Love it! I purchased a bottle of Smokehouse72’s new Sweet & Savory rub and look forward to cooking with it. This rub needs to be on the shelf at The Grill Works in Marion, IA. Ray & Jay even gave me a Smokehouse72 T-shirt. Very nice. I appreciate Dusty Ware for bringing me a case of Jealous Devil JAX BBQ Pellets to buy. I had a hard time finding it anywhere and glad the Iowa BBQ Store had it in stock. Thanks to Jason Wagner (Wags Backwoods BBQ) for giving me his team sticker. .
This was like getting my dream goodie bag at a BBQ contest. Thank you everyone!
David Ellis (Machete Boys BBQ) let me try a sample of his brisket (magnificent!) and he sent me home with a vacuum packed assortment of competition meat. Going to have it for dinner this week, David. Can't wait! LTS BBQ’s Steve Carfrae (who judged with me this weekend) brought me a pile of the most tender and flavorful burnt ends. Absolutely delicious, especially over mashed potatoes and gravy.
Kyle Johnson (T-Rex BBQ) brought me bag of my favorite pastries from Jaarsma Bakery – Puff Pillows. Love it! I purchased a bottle of Smokehouse72’s new Sweet & Savory rub and look forward to cooking with it. This rub needs to be on the shelf at The Grill Works in Marion, IA. Ray & Jay even gave me a Smokehouse72 T-shirt. Very nice. I appreciate Dusty Ware for bringing me a case of Jealous Devil JAX BBQ Pellets to buy. I had a hard time finding it anywhere and glad the Iowa BBQ Store had it in stock. Thanks to Jason Wagner (Wags Backwoods BBQ) for giving me his team sticker. .
This was like getting my dream goodie bag at a BBQ contest. Thank you everyone!
 Thank you for the burnt ends, Steve Carfrae (LTS BBQ) |  Thanks for the shirt, Smokehouse72! |  Thanks Wags Backwoods BBQ! |  Thank you David Ellis (Machete Boys BBQ) for this assortment of competition meat! |
 Get yourself a bottle of Smokehouse72's new Sweet & Savory rub! |  Puff Pillows and Potato Salad. The perfect trade. Thanks Kyle! |
SAVE THE DAY BBQ
I have a really great memory to share when I competed at State Center in June of 2014. The contest fell short of teams to be a qualifier event, so the cooks wanted me to come out and compete so they would reach the required amount of teams. Bubba Knapp (Bubba-Q's) called me and said cooks are going to donate all the meats and even gave me a team name: SAVE THE DAY BBQ. Hilarious! I was a BBQ judge, and this was my first time cooking solo at a pro contest.
There were lots of talented cooks here, but I managed to survive and placed 13th in chicken, 15th in ribs, 8th in pork (yep, I got a call!) and 19th in Brisket. Ended up 14th overall (out of 25 teams). Not bad for a BBQ Judge. Getting a call that day was a thrill. Everyone erupted in applause and thought it was cool I actually got a call. What a day for SAVE THE DAY BBQ.
There were lots of talented cooks here, but I managed to survive and placed 13th in chicken, 15th in ribs, 8th in pork (yep, I got a call!) and 19th in Brisket. Ended up 14th overall (out of 25 teams). Not bad for a BBQ Judge. Getting a call that day was a thrill. Everyone erupted in applause and thought it was cool I actually got a call. What a day for SAVE THE DAY BBQ.
FINAL THOUGHT
I invite BBQ teams to come out next year to State Center, Iowa and compete in the Rose Festival BBQ Contest. Organizer Megan Willier runs a great contest. .The loud train will catch your attention when you arrive, but when the train finally fades off into the distance, a peace arrives. The kind you only find in a small town like State Center. This BBQ contest (with all the fun, friends and food) is a slice of Heaven, and its history runs deep with me.
That’s why I come back and you should, too.
BBQ CRITIC
That’s why I come back and you should, too.
BBQ CRITIC
TOP THREE CHICKEN
1ST CHICKEN: Matty Mack's
 2ND CHICKEN: Luscious Loins |  3RD CHICKEN: Shiggin & Grinnin |
TOP THREE RIBS
1ST RIBS Phoenix BBQ
 2ND RIBS Hot Daddy's BBQ |  3RD RIBS Smokehouse72 |
TOP THREE PORK
1ST PORK Bergey Boys Blazing
 2ND PORK Machete Boys |  3RD PORK Hot Daddy's |
TOP THREE BRISKET
1ST BRISKET Hogline
 2ND BRISKET T-Rex BBQ |  3RD BRISKET Iowa's Smokey D's |
RSS Feed
