North Carolina cook-offs
North Carolina's BBQ tradition splits east/west — Eastern NC is whole-hog territory with a thin vinegar sauce, while Western NC favors pork shoulder with a tomato-based sauce. KCBS-sanctioned events run across the state April through October, alongside the regional whole-hog calendar centered around Goldsboro and Wilson.
Event · EVT-0084
Battle of the Blue Ridge
Aug 7 – Aug 8, 2026
Asheville East KOA Holiday
Swannanoa, NC
Event · EVT-0131
★ Champ
Pigmaster's BBQ Challenge
Sep 18 – Sep 19, 2026
Rutherford College Town Hall
College, NC
Event · EVT-0183
★ Champ
Foothills Smoke-Off Challenge
Oct 23 – Oct 24, 2026
Lenoir BBQ Grounds
Lenoir, NC
Event · EVT-0456
The Johnny Wells Smokehouse Steak Spectacular
Fri, Oct 30, 2026
Mount Olive Steak Grounds
Mount Olive, NC
Event · EVT-0458
The Johnny Wells Smokehouse Steak Spectacular @ Mount Olive, NC
Sat, Oct 31, 2026
Mount Olive Steak Grounds
Mount Olive, NC
Event · EVT-0529
Newport VFW 8986 Chili Cook-off
Sat, May 1, 2027
Newport VFW 8986
Newport, NC
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Upcoming months in North Carolina
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