Smoking & Grilling World
2022 American Royal World Series of BBQ
Known to most as “The American Royal” it is officially titled the “World Series of Barbecue” and is the fall BBQ contest hosted by the American Royal, a Kansas City based series of exhibitions featuring high level competitions in livestock, rodeo, equestrian and of course Barbecue.
Click here to learn more about the American Royal’s history and traditions. To competition BBQ smokers it is most likely the biggest event on their competition schedule. And it is a big one! With 535 teams competing this year including 23 international teams representing Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Japan to name a few. Scroll down for a photo essay of the weekend’s events.
FireBoard Labs Party
The American Royal is a significant event for FireBoard Labs, proving to be a great opportunity to examine this use of their products in a high pressure competition setting, and ultimately to socialize with friends new and old. Not to mention the company party. 
Leslie and Byron assembling a truss to hang banners on, and yours truly unpacking chafing dishes.
Steven mixing the rib rub
Ted and Steven prepping ribs, and Ted smoking brisket on a FireBoard Drive equipped kamado.
Pork butts on FireBoard’s Yoder 640. “The pit temp dropped significantly after we loaded up the 70 plus pounds of pork” noted FireBoard co-founder and co-pitmaster Steven Briggeman.
FireBoard party tent: Friday night at the American Royal is the when competing teams and local businesses throw parties as an event kick-off.
FireBoard family members enjoying the Royal. Buddy, Courtney (left) and Henry showing off his new favorite sticker (right).
The Ambience of the Royal
Some site seeing at the World Series of Barbeque
Clear skies by day: A view of the competition on Saturday afternoon. The American Royal is held in the infield of the Kansas Speedway.
The View of the American Royal at night: a cloud of fragrant smoke billowing over the the competition grounds.
The American Royal has historically been an international event. This year 23 teams from outside the U.S. joined the competition.
Pitmaster Jared Williams leads team Spit Fire Q and their monster smoker.
Long time FireBoard user Ed Jenkins at right, and Smoke on Wheels’ Andy Groneman checking out some of the high end equipment on display at the American Royal.
Pitmaster JP of team Lift, Tilt, Stagger BBQ tracks his cook with a FireBoard.
Slap Yo Daddy BBQ Pitmaster and avid YouTube-er Harry Soo covering the dessert entry turn in on Saturday afternoon.
Pitmaster Tuffy Stone with team Cool Smoke and the FireBoard Crew.
Being a top food competition naturally attracts media coverage such as Food Network’s Chef Michael Symon, as seen here at the Kids Que competition. Could season two of BBQ USA be in the works? Time will tell.
Pitmaster Matt Frampton of Urban Slicer and Ted Conrad sharing American Royal stories.
Big Congrats go to team Que U, led by Pitmaster Grant Basiliere. The first time in the history of the contest that the same team is awarded Grand Champion of BOTH the Open and Invitational contests. Congrats Grant and Que U!!
Burnt Finger BBQ
FireBoard proudly sponsors Pitmaster Jason Day and Burnt Finger BBQ. Congratulations to Jason and Megan for their 2nd place win in the Beans category this year. Way to go guys!!
2nd Place Beans! Team Burnt Finger BBQ from left: Mat Leo, Jason, Megan, Hank and Meredith Day
Megan Day of Burnt Finger BBQ prepping their pork butt. Note the FireBoard Spark in Sync mode giving team members inside the trailer a clear view of temperatures on their smokers.
Megan, Jason and Mat working on the Burnt Finger BBQ entry in the Sausage category.
Hank and Meredith Day at play, and a great example of Burnt Finger’s immaculate presentation skills.
Kids Que
A competition for future competitors. This year 75 entrants competed in two categories Steak or Hamburger.
Courtney and her brother Buddy competed in the 2022 American Royal Kids Que competition.
Kids Que build table.
Ted Conrad with his children Courtney and Buddy working on their Kids Que Hamburger entries. (spoiler alert Courtney took 2nd Place!!)
KC pride at work, and a nod to the Royals. A closer look at the selective toasting on the Conrads’ entries.
FireBoard Kids: Buddy and Courtney Conrad left and Meredith and Hank Day right. Congratulations to Courtney for her 2nd place win for her Hamburger!
The Kids Que awards. Congrats to Courtney Conrad for winning 2nd place in the Hamburger category.
About Author
Jeff Nichols
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2 Comments
Ed J.
Great Blog Post! Loved seeing everybody and promoting Fireboard! It’s the best, and I wouldn’t use anything else! Congrats to all!
Jeff Nichols
Thanks Ed! I think we all had a good time. I’m looking forward to doing it again next year!