BBQ Capital Cook-off
Come Sizzle Your Senses at the 
4th Annual BBQ Capital Cook-off
April 25-26, 2014
In a city renowned for its heritage of slow cooking pork shoulders over hickory wood that is known world wide as Lexington-style barbecue, it seems logical that a barbecue cook-off would take place on our streets!
Experience the excitement of international teams competing in Lexington’s acclaimed BBQ Capital Cook-off. The competition – with a prize purse of $15,900 – is fierce and fun for everyone. Our 2011 event brought 54 competing teams and over 75 judges from across the United States. The 2012 event brought 55 teams, over 25,000 people and taping of the season finalie of the national television show, Pitmasters. The 2013 competition brought 77 teams, the addition of the Smithfield Rib Series, and the Old North State Series.
Make plans to come Friday night at 6 pm to watch things get started, and stay over through Saturday to enjoy the final awards and all the entertainment.
While the teams serve up their best ribs, chicken, brisket and pork at this KCBS sanctioned event, you can sample all sorts of other treats from local and regional eateries.
Don’t forget you’ll be in the heart of Lexington, North Carolina and can visit our 19 barbecue restaurants, where the renowned heritage of slow-cooking pork shoulders over hickory is still alive and well.
Then, of course, there are the unique shops within walking distance that bring the best of the past into the present - you’ll love the charm of their individuality.
And just minutes away by car are the national treasures of Childress Vineyards, The Bob Timberlake Gallery and the RCR Racing Museum.
Join us for this fun farmily friendly free event!
Follow us on Facebook for all the details...BBQ Capital Cook-off!
What happened during the 2013 event?
Great Eats! Sample North Carolina's mouthwatering barbecue from vendors who are also competing!
Sample wine & beer at the Southern Gateway Wine Festival featuring Davidson County's wineries. Read more about the 2012 Wine Festival!
Music ...Friday at 7 pm: Dark Water Rising. Saturday at 10 am: Army Ground Forces Band: The Loose Cannons. At Noon: Town Mountain and at 3 pm: Sponsored by Q104.1 - Jon Pardi.
Kids activities including inflatables, snow cones, art activities, and much more!
Download the 2013 Event Schedule and Map of Activities!
Read all about the BBQ Capital Cook-off's participation in the Great American Barbecue Tour and the Smithfield Rib Super Series!
Places to visit, places to stay, and places to eat...including BBQ restaurants!
Join us in uptown Lexington on Friday and Saturday, April 25-26, 2014
for the 4th Annual BBQ Capital Cook-off!
2014 Contest Information and Forms
2013 Contest Information and Forms for Judges, Teams, Vendors, Sponsors and Volunteers
2013 Winners
2013 Judge's Application
2013 Competition Application
2013 Sponsor Application
2013 Vendor Application
2013 Judging Class Application
2013 Selected Judges
2013 Competing Teams
Old North State Series
Beginning in 2013, the BBQ Capital Cook-off is part of the new Old North State Series, which 
will consist of four KCBS-sanctioned BBQ competition events across North Carolina including Kings Mountain, Lexington, Kannapolis and Salisbury.
Championship BBQ teams competing in these events will be vying to accumulate points to earn the honor of the 2013 Old North State Series Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion. Winners will receive a prize purse of $3,500 and $1,500 respectively. The group is currently working to secure sponsorships for prizes for 3rd - 5th place.
There is No Fee to enter. We understand prior commitments or unexpected emergencies may prevent teams from participating in all four events, so while paticipation in all four events is advantageous and strongly encouraged, it is NOT required. The lowest event overall score will be thrown out. If you do not compete in an event your team score will be considered "0". The team with the highest three cummulative points total from the four events will be crowned the Old North State Series Grand Champion.
The Old North State Series Scoring:
Based on KCBS scoring from each event.
Overall scores totaled from the four aforementioned events.
Team with the highest overall score wins Grand Champion.
Team with second highest overall score wins Reserve Grand Champion.
Tiebreaker: The lowest event overall score will be used as the tiebreaker. In essence, whoever has the highest overall score that was dropped will win the tiebreaker.
Prize money and awards handout at the Biker, Blues and BBQ Classic in Salisbury, NC on September 20-21, 2013.
The four events in the 2013 Old North State Series are: Kings Mountain: April 19-20, 2013; Lexington: April 26-27, 2013; Kannapolis: May 10-11, 2013; Salisbury: September 20-21, 2013.
Information about the 2012 event!
Press Release: Cook-off Actitivites for 2012
2012 Team Application
2012 General Information for Teams
2012 List of competing teams
Congratulations to our 2012 Winning Teams
Photos of the 2011 Contest