Welcome to the 5th American Royal Backyard BBQ Contest and Steak Cook-Off!
March 21-22, 2025
American Royal Complex
1701 American Royal Court | KCMO 64102
Please review the following information before proceeding to the registration form to ensure you meet the requirements of the contest.
BACKYARD BBQ & STEAK COOK-OFF INFORMATION SHEET
Entry Fees
Backyard BBQ 20’ x 20’ team space: $250.00 – includes entry into chicken and pork ribs
Backyard BBQ 20’ x 40’ team space: $400.00 – includes entry into chicken and pork ribs
Steak Cook-Off 10’ x 10’ team space: $125.00 – includes entry into steak
- Backyard teams are responsible for providing their protein (Chicken & Pork Ribs)
- Additional details about the steak will be provided to registered teams
Schedule
Steak Cook-Off - Steak Turn-in 1:00 PM Saturday 3/22
Backyard BBQ - Chicken Turn-in 1:30 PM Saturday 3/22
Backyard BBQ - Pork Ribs Turn-in 2:00 PM Saturday 3/22
Note: Schedule subject to change - if updated, all teams will be notified.
Backyard BBQ Contest:
Entry Deadline: 3/14/2025
- All teams competing in the Backyard BBQ Contest are REQUIRED to meet the following KCBS definition of a "Backyard Cook Team" - Note: Teams may compete in the Steak Contest that do not qualify to compete in the Backyard Contest.
Backyard BBQ Contest Rules: KCBS BACKYARD CONTEST RULES 2025
A. Any member of the team who has not entered in and competed in more than twelve (12) sanctioned “Master Series” BBQ competitions (Click here for 2025 KCBS Master Series Info & Rules ) in the past and;
B. Any person who has been a member of a team who has not been awarded a combined two Grand Champion and/or Reserve Champion statuses in any KCBS Sanctioned "Master Series" competitions, and;
C. Any member of the team who has competed in three (3) or fewer “Master Series" BBQ competitions within the current competition year.
If any member of the team has entered in and competed in more than twelve (12) sanctioned “Master Series” BBQ competitions in the past, they are ineligible to participate in the Backyard competition. Any person who was a member of a team who has competed in three (3) or fewer “Master Series” BBQ competitions within one (1) competition year may be considered a backyard cook and may declare or revert to such status. This includes the Chief Cook and/or Assistant Cooks. The only exclusion to this rule would be those judges cooking with a team to qualify for master judge status. Individuals who feel they have extenuating circumstances may appeal to the KCBS Sanctioning committee or their designee for reconsideration as a backyard cook. Those requests must be made in writing within 90 days of the competition in question.
Steak Cook-Off Contest:
Entry Deadline: 3/14/2025
- Steak Cook-Off is NOT limited to amateur competition teams and is open to all contestants. Contestants are NOT required to enter the Backyard BBQ to compete in the Steak Contest.
- Each team will be provided 2 steaks onsite at the contest.
- We will be following the Kansas City Barbeque Society Ancillary Steak Contest Rules.
Steak Contest Rules: KCBS STEAK CONTEST RULES
