The best competition barbecue cooking teams on the planet gathered in Memphis, Tennessee at the 46th Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest to determine the best of the best. Memphis in May officials announced the winners of the organization’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest on Saturday, May 18th.
The Shed BBQ from Ocean Springs, MS was named GRAND CHAMPION for the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest by taking the top honor with their championship entry in the Whole Hog category. This is the third Memphis in May Grand Champion win for the team lead by Brad Orrison and his sister Brooke Lewis. The team is named after their restaurant, and they are a seventeen-year competitor. They took the top prize in a fiercely competitive year that included all of the biggest and most respected names in barbecue.
First place in shoulder went to Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, first place in Ribs went to Heath Riles BBQ Team, and first place in Whole Hog went to The Shed BBQ.
129 competition cooking teams from four foreign countries, twenty-two states vied for the priceless bragging rights from winning the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and $150,000 in cash prizes.
In addition, officials announced next year’s festival dates. The 2025 Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest will be held May 14-17, 2025, at Liberty Park in Memphis, TN. The Great American River Run will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025, in downtown Memphis, TN.
“We are excited to partner with Memphis in May to continue to grow this iconic event here at Liberty Park. Its tradition of celebrating great barbecue makes it a summer staple here in Memphis and because of our space and team here at Liberty Park we believe it is the perfect venue to host the WCBCC and represent our community.” Said Brian Hoffman, General Manager of Simmons Bank Stadium & Liberty Park.
