MN BBQ SOCIETY upcoming events

MN Team of the Year 2026 Points Chase Sign Up (18 Jan 2026)

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Please use this form to sign up for the MN Team of the Year Points Chase for 2026.

You must be a current MBS member to sign up for TOY.
You must be a current MBS member when points are tabulated at the end of the season.
Points will only be collected from one KCBS number. If you do not have a KCBS number, your MBS member number will be used for tracking.
Competitions under additional IDs will not be counted.
Points can not be combined from multiple KCBS IDs.
You cannot accrue points for both divisions...you must choose to compete in either Backyard or Masters.
We will use the list of registrants to pull scores and tabulate the Team of the Year standings.
Final registration deadline is May 9th at 11:00 AM. prior to turn ins at Minnesota in May.

The contests that qualify for TOY points for 2026 are listed at the following link:

MN TOY Contests

BACK TO BASICS – BBQ SPRING TRAINING 2026 (25 Apr 2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Minnesota Barbecue Society University of Minnesota

BACK TO BASICS – BBQ SPRING TRAINING

DATE CHANGE--- Saturday, April 25, 2026

University of Minnesota • Andrew Boss Meat Lab St Paul Campus
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: $199.00 per student

Real BBQ, Real Fun

New to BBQ? You're in the right place!

If you’ve always wanted to get into grilling but never knew where to start, this workshop is for you. We’ll walk you through the basics, help you feel comfortable around the grill, and make sure you’re having a good time while you learn.

Real BBQ, Real Fun

Learn From People Who Really Know Their BBQ

Our pitmasters will break it down in a simple, fun way:

How different grills and fuels work
Understanding rubs + seasoning
Keeping meat tender, juicy, and flavorful

No fancy jargon—just real tips that make BBQ easier (and way more delicious!).

Real BBQ, Real Fun

Try It Out + Friendly Competition

You’ll even get the chance to talk meat with Dr. Cox, professor of the meat lab, about how to pick a steak!

Once you’ve learned the basics, put your skills to the test in a relaxed steak-grilling and rib-smoking challenge. It’s all in good fun—and a great way to meet other BBQ lovers.

Real BBQ, Real Fun

Zero Experience Needed

Seriously—none.

We guide you step-by-step in a hands-on, super‑welcoming environment. You’ll go home confident and ready to fire up your own grill.

Real BBQ, Real Fun

Come Hang Out, Learn BBQ Basics, and Have a Great Time!

MN in May 2026 Volunteer (7 May 2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

MN in May 2026 Volunteer

For the Minnesota in May contest this year we are looking for volunteers to help make our event great! We have several jobs that need to be performed such as helping with the Kids-Q, single Meat contest, parking, setup of the grounds and rooms, trash, working in the Judge’s area, and more!. We have roles for all our events. It's a great opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes on BBQ events.

No experience necessary. Roles for all physical levels.

Openings for:

Thursday - Set up at the Fairgrounds, and evening event.
Friday - Help with set up, Load in/ Parking of competition teams, Help with evening competitions, General helping with supporting teams and contest.
Saturday - Helping with the contests, team parking, team support, and general contest duties.
Sunday - General clean up of the grounds

We have suggested times on the sign up form, but feel free to make any notes regarding availability in the Notes section (for example, if shift says 4pm, but you are able to arrive at 5pm). If you have role preferences, feel free to note that as well.

If you’d like to help, sign up for a shift or two. We will notify you on what job you have and confirm the time.

We look forward to you joining us!

MN in May 2026 - Contest Registration (8 May 2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT

KCBS Series Competition

Join us for MN in May 2026

A Master Series BWC World Cup Qualifier!

May 8 - 9

St. Peter, MN - Nicollet Co. Fairgrounds

MN TOY 2026 Qualifier

$14,000 Prize purse

ENTRY FEE-Masters: $325

ENTRY FEE-backyard: $175

Standard 4-meat format for the masters KCBS event on Saturday.

Standard 2-meat format for the backyard KCBS event on Saturday.

See below for Prize Payouts

KCBS_MASTER_RULES_2026_BOD_APPROVED.pdf

KCBS_BACKYARD_RULES_2026_BOD_APPROVED.pdf

Electric not Included in the registration fee, must select electric needs as an add-on to hook up to power Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Power is somewhat limited and will be assigned as first come/first serve.

Add-On Competitions:

KCBS Rib Challenge - $100

Kid's Que Challenge - $0 More details on proteins coming soon.

Add-on Electricity:

$55 for the event

Prize Payout for KCBS Master's Series

$11,500 in prize money to pay 1^st through 10^th place.

Masters Series

Grand Champion: $1,300

Reserve Champion: $650

3^rd place Overall $350

4^th place Overall $275

5^th place Overall $200

6^th - 10^th place $125

Chicken, ribs, pork and brisket :

1^st place: $500

2^nd place: $400

3^rd place: $300

4^th place: $200

5^th place: $125

6^th - 10^th place: $100

Prize Payout for KCBS backyard Series

$2,500 in prize money to pay 1^st through 10^th place.

backyard Series

Grand Champion: $500

Reserve Champion: $300

3^rd place Overall $175

4^th place Overall $125

5^th place Overall $100

Chicken, ribs:

1^st place: $100

2^nd place: $90

3^rd place: $80

4^th place: $70

5^th place: $60

6^th - 10^th place: $50

Rib Challenge

$1,000 in prize money to pay 1^st through 5^th place.

1^st: $425

2^nd: $200

3^rd: $150

4^th: $125

5^th: $100

MN in May 2026 - Kid's Que Challenge (8 May 2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Kid's Que Challenge

Let's see your kids Que up something great!

Cost $0

All kids under the age of 16 are invited to join the Kid's Que Challenge. There will be two age groups set up for this competition; 10 and under (KidsQ) and 11 -16 (JuniorQ).

The younger kids will prepare, cook, and box their entries from their sponsor teams' site. Parents should let the kids do as much as they are capable of, given age and abilities.

JuniorQ contestants will prepare, cook, and box their entries from their sponsor teams' site. Parents can encourage their children, but cannot help/do any of the cooking. Each entry shall be cooked by one child only. The JuniorQ contestant must do the preparation, cooking, and presentation. Volunteers will be available to help as necessary.

Multiple kids from the same family may enter the contest.

KCBS_Youth_BBQ_Rules_2026_FINAL.pdf

KidsQ Prize Pay Out

(prizes in both age groups)

1st Place - $50

2nd Place - $25

3rd Place - Certificate

Contest Judging & Volunteer Sign Up - MN in May 2026 (8 May 2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 21:00:00 GMT

MN in May 2026

Judging

Judge's Tent Volunteers

Please use this registration form if you would like to be a:

Judge
Judge Tent Volunteer

We are looking for volunteer judges and table captains for both the KCBS Masters Series competition and the KCBS Sanctioned Backyard competition on Saturday. We are also looking for judges for the Friday night add-on contests.

We are committed to seating as many people as possible. As with all contests, the total number of judges needed will fluctuate based on the number of teams competing. Sign up does not guarantee placement. We will not be assigning judges until we have the majority of the teams registered.

2 weeks prior to the event, you will be receiving further instructions on arrival time and participation information.

If you need to cancel prior to the event, you may return to this event page and cancel your registration or contact us.

There are limited camper sites available for non-competitors. These sites are without electricity or water. Please contact the coordinator if you would like to camp at the event.

We hope you will join us!

MN in May 2026 - Friday One Meat - Ribs (8 May 2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join us for MN in May 2026

MN TOY 2026 Qualifier - One Meat Contest

Use this form to register for the add-on Rib contest. This is not a entry for the full contest on saturday.

Add On Competitions - Friday evening May 8th, 2026:

Rules for the One Meat Rib contest will follow the same guidelines found in the attached document regarding Pork Ribs.

KCBS_BACKYARD_RULES_2026_BOD_APPROVED.pdf

One-Meat (Ribs) Competition - $100

*If only cooking the One Meat Rib contest or Turkey Smoke power is not provided. If you need power, please reach out to us and we will do our best to accommodate.

Prize Payout for One Meat - Ribs

$1,000 in prize money to pay 1^st through 5^th place.

1^st: $425

2^nd: $200

3^rd: $150

4^th: $125

5^th: $100

MN in May 2026 - Beans (8 May 2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join us at MN in May 2026

Beans, Beans and more Beans!

Use this form to register for the add-on bean contest. This is not a entry for the full contest on saturday.

Add On Competitions - Friday evening:

Rules for the NBGA People's Choice Bean contest will follow the guidelines found here. People's Choice Bean Rules

People's Choice

Bean Competition Entry Fee - $0

*If only cooking the Bean contest power is not provided. If you need power, please reach out to us and we will do our best to accommodate.

Prize Payout for People's Choice

1st - $750

2nd - $500

3rd - $250