The Format: Simple. Bold. Crowd-Powered.
- One dish
- Your best work
- Served directly to the crowd
- Guests vote
- Top five advance
- Champion crowned
No judges’ tables. No guessing games. Just real people, real flavor, and real stakes.
$5,000 Total Cash Purse + National Opportunity
Grand Champion
- $2,500 cash (Sponsored by Indiana Pork)
- World Food Championships Golden Ticket
- Outlaw Smokers Ringo Drum Smoker
- Custom metal trophy
- Bottle of Hard Truth Whiskey
Reserve Grand Champion
- $1,000 Cash
- Outlaw 30-gallon drum smoker
- Custom trophy
- Bottle of Hard Truth Whiskey
Third Place
- $750 cash
- Custom trophy
- Bottle of Hard Truth Whiskey
Fourth Place
- $500 cash
- Custom trophy
- Bottle of Hard Truth Whiskey
Fifth Place
- $250 cash
- Custom trophy
- Bottle of Hard Truth Whiskey
A Festival Experience Worth Competing For
Hosted at Hard Truth Distilling Co. in Nashville, Indiana, Bourbon & BBQ delivers:
- A high-energy crowd that loves great food
- A destination venue known for whiskey, hospitality, and atmosphere
- Serious prize support and national recognition
- A festival setting that’s as fun as it is competitive
If you’ve been looking for an event that respects the craft, rewards the teams, and brings the heat, this is it.
Powered by Incredible Partners
This event is made possible by partners who believe in competition barbecue and the teams who drive it:
- Hard Truth Distilling Co.
- Indiana Pork Farmers
- Outlaw BBQ Smokers
- World Food Championships
- Great White Smoke