The Contest:
The “Kings of Q” BBQ Cook-off is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). KCBS representatives will be onsite. Judging starts at noon on Saturday, May 20, 2023, using the blind judging system. The contest consists of four categories (chicken, pork ribs, pork, and beef brisket).
All four categories are required for Grand Champion.
The contest is named in honor of the two local “Kings of Q”, Latham “Bum” Dennis and the late Pete Jones. Both families run a successful BBQ restaurant and share a family history as being decedents of Skilton Dennis. The Dennis family history stakes claim to the nation’s first commercial barbecue establishment. In 1830, Skilton Dennis is said to have started selling pit cooked hog meat and cornbread out of a wagon in a community named Otter Town, the present town of Ayden.
The Dennis clan is said to pass “that ‘gift’ with barbecue” from generation to generation.
Festival Location:
The contest and festival will be in the downtown area of the Town of Ayden, North Carolina (www.ayden.com). Ayden is a small town of about 5,100 people located about 8 miles south of Greenville. Ayden is best known for its long history in whole hog “Eastern Style” BBQ and home of “The Official Collard Festival of North Carolina” held every year the week
after Labor Day, now in its 44th year (www.AydenCollardFestival.com). The BBQ Cook-off will be held in the BBQ Village centered around Ayden Christian Church (DOC), 462 Second Street.
The festival will be held 2 blocks east along West Avenue. The festival will include amusement rides, Arts and Crafts, food vendors, shows by local enthusiasts, and live music on Friday and Saturday nights until 10:00pm. Visit our website for updates on the events at the festival.
