Kansas City Barbeque Society Judge Class on Washington Island

So you always wanted to be a BBQ judge. Well now is your chance as Deaths Door BBQ and KCBS will hold a certified judging class Sunday August 25th, 2024 at the Airport on Washington Island WI. The class is the day after Day Two of Deaths Door BBQ. The four hour class will start at 10am and end around 2pm. Sign in will be at 9:30 am. The class will be taught be veteran KCBS judging instructors Bill and Debby Gage.

The complete judging process will be presented including; types of meat, judging process, rules, duties and judging criteria. After the entire process is explained, students will get to judge all the meats as in a real contest. Students will judge chicken, ribs, pork and brisket. They will see how the meat is turned in by the teams and what happens before it gets to the judging table. Once the entries get to the table the Table Captain will start the judging process by showing the meat to the students. They will judge each entry on Appearance, Taste and Tenderness. Students will use official judging slips and judging plates.

After each meat is judged, the class will discuss each entry. Before the class ends the instructors will answer any and all questions the students have. Following the class there will be a Kid’s Que turn in that some of the class will be able to judge. This would be their first real event. This is the only scheduled KCBS Judging Class in Wisconsin this year. Class size is limited so sign up before the class is filled. After completion of the class judges will be able to apply for any KCBS Contest in the world. For more information and to SIGN UP ONLINE HERE or download a registration form on our REGSTRATION PAGE..

Minnesota, Missouri Teams Top Deaths Door BBQ

Despite a cool start to the day things heated up as 29 teams competed for the Grand Championship. The 11th annual event held Saturday August 26th at the Washington island Airport saw one repeat winner and a first time champion. Brad Leighninger current Kansas City Barbeque Society point leader bested the field on Day 1 with a record breaking score of 700.5256. His Gettin’ Basted team from Branson MO picked up his second Grand Champion title at DDBBQ. Finishing in the Reserve Grand Champion spot was Dustin Reeses and his Hogline BBQ team from Owatonna Minnesota. Third went to Can Country Outlaw from Windsor Wisconsin. Chief cook is Jason Halterman.

First place awards in the individual categories include; Chicken - Hogline BBQ, Pork Ribs - Can Country Outlaw, Pork - Shiggin & Grinnin from Delano MN, Brisket - Can Country Outlaw and the One Meat Rib Contest was won by Gettin’ Basted.

Day 1 Grand Champion - Bill Gage KCBS Rep. (left), Dick Jepsen DDBBQ Chairman (center), Grand Champion Brad Leighninger (right)

On Day 2 the top honor went to Jeff Vanderlinde and his Shiggin & Grinnin team. This was his first Grand Championship at DDBBQ. Finishing in the Reserve Grand Champion spot was Gettin’ Basted followed by Hogline in third. Individual category winners were; Chicken - Gettin’ Basted, Pork Ribs - Shiggin & Grinnin, Pork - Jankey Leg from Benton Illinois currently second in KCBS points and in Brisket - Nectar of the Hogs out of Minneapolis MN. Complete results can be found on our website deathsdoorbbq.com.

Day 2 Grand Champion - Dick Jepsen DDBBQ Chairman (left), Grand Champion Jeff Vanderlinde (right)

DDBBQ would like to give a big thank you to all of our volunteers who help make this event possible and of course all the people that attended. A special thank you to our major sponsors; Smokin’ with Smithfield, Green Bay Packers Give Back, Washington Island Electric Cooperative, W.I. Chamber of Commerce, Dancing Goat Distillery, Katyz Law LLC, Shipyard island Marina, Door County Medical Center, Nicolet National Bank, Quantum Technologies, Wisconsin Brewing, Flanigan Distributing, Seaquist Orchards and Wisconsin Building Supply of Sister Bay.

Make your calendars as plans have already started for the 12th Annual Deaths Door BBQ on Saturday August 24th, 2024 at the Washington Island Airport.

IOWA, MINNESOTA TEAMS TOP DEATHS DOOR BBQ

A record crowd was on hand Saturday August 27th to see Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ from Des Moines IA crowned Grand Champion of the 10th Annual Deaths Door BBQ. Darren Warth took first place in both the Chicken and Brisket categories and also finished 5th in Pork and 9th in Pork Ribs to help him clinch the title. The Reserve Grand Champion award went to the Delano MN team Shiggin & Grinnin. Jeff Vanderlinde finished in the top ten in three of the four categories and 11th in Pork Ribs to help secure his runner-up spot. Finishing third was last years Grand Champion Peter Golob and his Red rock Cafe team from Amasa MI. Fourth went to The BBQ Bus out of Elmhurst IL and Hudsons WI Que’s Yer Daddy.

Individual category winners include; in Chicken Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ, in Pork Ribs it was Que’s Yer Daddy, Pork went to Mud’s BBQ from Westmont IL and in Brisket it was Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ. Twenty six teams competed in the Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event for $8,000 in prize money. In the KCBS One Meat Rib Contest the first place award went to The BBQ Bus. Finishing in second was 270 Smokers from Lexington VA followed by Smokin Ghost BBQ out of Chillicothe IL. Running out the top five were two Wisconsin teams; CC2 and Cheese Curd Cartel from Hortonville.

On Sunday four Steak Cookoff Association events were held at the DDBBQ site. The first event was the Deaths Door Gin Cocktail Contest won by Steve Tanck. Runner-up was Stephanie West with third going to Melissa McDevitt. Scott Tank took fourth and Joe Raschke fifth.The Dessert category went to Stephanie West. Finishing second was Annette Hallman with Sara Tank third, Melissa McDevitt fourth and rounding out the top five Scott Tank.

Two steak contests are held between the two ancillary events. Steak A was won by Jay Kassara. Second was Dan Dicke with SCA World Champion Scott Nardi third. Jessica Barnes-Nardi and Jeff Hiers finished fourth and fifth respectively.In Steak B Stephanie West taking home the top spot with Wendy Kassara finishing second. Third went to Jay Kassara fourth went to Terry West and fifth to Melissa McDevitt.A Golden Ticket was given to a cook in each category which gives them an invitation to the SCA World Championships this fall in Texas.

DDBBQ would like to thank our major sponsors; Smithfield, W.I. Chamber of Commerce, W.I. Electric Cooperative, Door County Medical Center, Nicolet National Bank, Quantum Technology, Electrical Synergies, Summer Place Resort, Dancing Goat Distillery and Snake River Farms.

We would also like to thank all are there sponsors for their support. Special thanks to my committee; Mary Lynn Andersen, Cathy Meader, E’lise Haller, Tom Nikolai and Jake Farm. We like to thank the teams, judges and visitors for making this our best event to date!

Mark your calendar for the 11th Annual Deaths Door BBQ on August 26th, 2023.

Cook Steak, Ribs or Make Cocktails and Dessert at Deaths Door BBQ

Calling all cooks to the 10th Annual Deaths Door BBQ event on Washington Island. There will be five chances for someone to win the top prize. Compete in one or all categories as you challenge some of the top pro teams. On Saturday August 27th there will be a Kansas City Barbecue Society One Meat Rib Contest. Individuals or teams will have a chance to show off their skills as they compete against some of the KCBS regulars. KCBS rules apply and entries will be judged by certified judges. Entries will be judged on three criteria; appearance, taste and tenderness. The winner will receive $500, a nice trophy and bragging rights. Complete rules are on the KCBS website. Registration forms are on the Deaths Door BBQ website deathsdoorbbq.

On Sunday August 28th there will be a double SCA (Steak Cookoff Association ) steak contest and two ancillary events, dessert and Deaths Door Gin Cocktail contests. In the two steak events each contestant will receive two steaks for Steak A and two for Steak B. The steaks can be cooked on any heat source; charcoal, gas, LP or electric. Only one steak is turned in for each round. That steak will be judged by certified SCA judges on the required criteria. Scott Nardi the reigning SCA champion will be competing in this event so this your chance to take down the champ. Go to the SCA website for the complete rules and registration.

The Deaths Door Gin Cocktail Contest kicks off the day with an 11:00 AM turn in time. Each contestant will receive a bottle of Deaths Door Gin to make the cocktail. Dancing Goat Distillery will donate the bottles. As the day winds up with the dessert category. Like the Cocktail contest desserts will be judged on the four criteria for the entry including appearance and taste. The dessert must be assembled at the event. The winners in each of four contests; Steak A, Steak B, Dessert and Deaths Door Gin Cocktail besides winning money and awards will receive a Golden Ticket. This Ticket is an invitation to the SCA World Championship held in Texas this fall. Top prize for that event is $10,000. You do not have to be an SCA member to compete. Complete rules and registration is on the SCA website steakcookoffs.com.

The schedule is set up to allow cooks from off the Island to compete. The day starts off at 9:00 AM will the cooks meeting and steak selection. The day ends at 4:00 PM with the awards ceremony. This will allow off Island cooks to compete and still make it off the Island the same day.

New Teams Top Deaths Door BBQ

Two new teams Red Rock BBQ and Can Country Outlaw BBQ making their first appearance at Death’s Door BBQ took home the top honors among the 25 teams entered. The Friday and Saturday event was held at the Washington Island Airport. A large crowd was on hand despite the warm and humid weather.

On Friday Red Rock BBQ from Amasa Michigan took home the Grand Championship. Peter Golob and his team dominated the Day 1 competition with finishes of 10th in Chicken, 8th in Pork Ribs, 3rd  in Pork and finished with a 1st place in Brisket. The Reserve Grand Champion Award went to Let’s Get Tanck’d of Green Bay WI. Steve Tanck and his team finished 15th in Chicken, 2nd in Pork Ribs, 4th in Pork and 3rd in Brisket. They were less than two points behind the Red Rock BBQ team. Red Rock BBQ totaled 690.8572 while Let’s Get Tanck’d had 687.9998. Rounding out the top five were Shiggin and Grinnin from Delano Minnesota in third, The BBQ Bus of Elmhurst Illinois fourth and rounding out the top five was the Texas Smoke Whisperer team from Midland Texas.

On Saturday in front of a large crowd another first time team to DDBBQ Can Country Outlaw BBQ garnered the Grand Championship. Jason Halterman and his team from St. Louis Missouri came back from a fifteenth place on Friday to claim the top prize. Taking home the Reserve Grand Championship awards was The BBQ Bus. Brian Dwyer cooking with his son stepped up their game from Friday to finish in the runner-up spot. Finishing in third was Porkrastinators out of Woodstock IL followed by the Machete Boys BBQ of Fridley MN and routing the top five was Big E BBQ cooking out of Huntley IL. Thirteen teams from eight states made their first trip to DDBBQ. Topping the list are; The BBQ Bus-Elmhurst IL, Texas Smoke Whisperer- Midland TX,High On The Hawg-Fayetteville Tennessee, Uncle Kenny’s BBQ and Hot Coles BBQ-Clermont Florida, Sloshkosh BBQ-Trinity FL, Can Country Outlaw BBQ-St. Louis MO, Home Farm BBQ-Dyersville-Iowa, Red Rock Cafe- Amasa Michigan, Machete Boys BBQ- Fridley MN, and Hogline-Owatonna MN. Three Wisconsin teams included; Let’s Get Tanck’d-Green Bay WI, Shank-N-Shig BBQ-Rice Lake and Up-N-Smoke Bar-B-Que-Juda WI.

In the dessert category the winner was Wicked Smoke out of Fort Atkinson WI. Finishing in seconds place was High On The Hawg from Fayetteville TN. Third place went to 270 Smokers Lexington VA, fourth was Smokin’ Highwaymen-Sobieski, WI and rounding out the top five finishing fifth was Second Hand Smoke-Appleton WI.

In the Kid’s Que 7-12 year old class the winner was Mara Schilling form Sobieski WI. Second place went to Jaylyn Nikchen of Washington island WI. Contestants in this group cooked hot dogs. Winner of the 13-18 year old group went to William Peters from Rice Lake WI. The runner-up spot went to Nathan Schilling of Sobieski WI. This group cooked hamburger meat.

This great event could not take place without the support of our major sponsors: Smokin with Smithfield, Washington Island Chamber of Commerce, W.I. Electric Cooperative, W.I. Ferry Line, von Steihl Winery, Dancing Goat Distillery, Gordon’s North Star Realty, Lamperts of Sister Bay, Snake River Farms, Mann’s Grocery Store, Door County Medical Center, Quantum PC Services, Grizzly Coolers, Nicolet National Bank, 4 Imprint and Shipyard Island Marina. DDBBQ would also like to thank the rest of our sponsors, teams, judges, volunteers, visitors and especially our committee; Richard Jepsen Chairman, Mary Lynn Anderson, Cathy Meader, Tom Nikolai, Jenny Nickell, Jake Farm and E’lise Haller.

Plans are already underway for the 10th Annual Deaths Door BBQ August 27th, 2022. 

Deaths Door BDQ For 2020 Has Been Cancelled

The 9th Annual Deaths Door BBQ will be August 28th, 2021. More updated information will be available after the first of the tear. Thank you everyone for your support of Deaths Door BBQ!

Dick Jepsen, Chairman DDBBQ

MICHIGAN, IOWA TEAMS TOP DEATHS DOOR BBQ

A large crowd enjoyed great weather as they witnessed a Michigan and Iowa team take home the top honors at the 8th Annual Deaths Door BBQ on Washington Island. They competed against some of the best teams in the country to claim the title of Grand Champion. The event was sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

On Friday (Day One) of the contest Richard Parker of the IBQ’N@ THE BBQ SUPERSTORE.COM team was crowned the Grand Champion. Parker of Lowell MI beat out a field of 30 teams to claim the title. He won two of the four KCBS categories on his way to victory. Richard won both the chicken and pork categories and finished seventh in pork ribs and sixth in brisket. Finishing in the runner-up spot was last years KCBS Team of the Year winner Gettin’ Basted. Head cook Brad Leighninger out of Saddlebrooke Mo took home the Reserve Grand Champion honors. Brad finished second in chicken, fourth in pork ribs, tenth in pork and fifth in brisket. Finishing third was Eric Ferguson of Big “E” BBQ out of Huntley IL. Fourth went to Brian and Ann Neale of Smoke Freaks from Chicago IL. Rounding out the top five was last years DDBBQ champion Tom and Becky McIntosh of Sturgeon Bay WI. Their T-Mac Smokin team is the Wisconsin team picked to cook in the Jack Daniels World Championship in Lynchburg TN this year.

On Saturday (Day Two) Darren and Sherry Warth of Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ took home the Grand Champion honors. The Des Moines, IA team had two first place finishes in pork ribs and brisket. They also placed twelfth in chicken and eighth in pork on the way to winning the title. The Reserve Grand Champion award went to Jermaine Little of Turnin' Up The Heat. He hails from Brown Deer WI. His team was the highest finishing Wisconsin team in the two day event. Third place went to the Smoke Freaks. They were followed in fourth by Getting Basted and rounding out the top five was Tim Maloy of Backyard Bro’s from Oldster FL.

Three Wisconsin teams finished in the top ten on Day One. Coming in fifth was T-Mac Smokin’ from Sturgeon Bay. Tim’s Full Belli Deli from Oshkosh came in seventh and Casey’s BBQ & Smokehouse of Sister Bay came in eighth. Day Two also had three Wisconsin teams represented in the top ten. Turning Up The Heat was Reserve Grand Champion, Tim’s Full Belli Deli was seventh and Legends of Smoke- Team Red Arrow out of Manitowoc came in eighth.

On Friday twelve teams competed in the KCBS ancillary category for dessert. Taking home the first place honors with a perfect score was Tamara Ferguson of Big “E” BBQ. Finishing a close second was Legends of Smoke - Team Red Arrow. Third went to Tim’s Full Belli Deli, fourth to 10-76 Smoke from Sister Bay WI and rounding out the top five was Wicked Smoke from Fort Atkinson WI.

Fridays Steak Cookooff Association contest was won by Paul Perpich of Hortonville WI. Second went to Sherry Warth of Des Moines IA, third to Seth Mcallister from Woodstock IL, fourth to Jeff Vanderlinde of Delano MN and rounding out the top five was Jeff Hiers.

Saturdays Kid’s Que had two winners. The hot dog contest was won by Nathan Schilling of Sobieski WI and the hamburger event was won by Molly Leighninger of Saddlebrooke MO.

US Representative Mike Gallager attended Deaths Door BBQ on Saturday and read off the winners. He was presented a plaque from the Washington Island Electric Co-Op for his help in getting funding for the new electrical cable from the mainland to the Island. Co-Op manager Robert Cornell made the presentation.

Deaths Door BBQ would like to thank all our sponsors, teams, judges, volunteers, visitors and especially the committee; Richard Jepsen Chairman, Tom Nikolai, Mary Lynn Anderson, Cathy Meader and Jenny Hansen. Plans are already underway for the 9th Annual Deaths Door BBQ on August 29th, 2020.

Door County Team Wins Death's Door BBQ

T-Mac Smokin’ from Sturgeon Bay took home the top honors at the 7th Annual Death’s Door BBQ competition held on Washington Island. The two day event was held at the airport on Friday and Saturday August 24th & 25th.

A large crowd was on hand to witness Tom and Becky Macintosh claim the honor of Grand Champion. Not only did they win the Friday Day One title but they backed it up with another Grand Championship award on Day Two. They have claimed four championships at DDBBQ over the years.

Another team on a hot streak was Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ out of Des Moines IA. Darren and Sherry Warth finished in the runner up spot for Reserve Grand Champion. Just like T-Mac Smokin’ they won the award both Day One and Day Two.

Finishing third overall on Day One was Second Hand Smoke from Appleton WI. Fourth went to Shiggin & Grinnin of Delano MN and fifth to Smoke Freaks out of Chicago IL.

On Day Two Tim’s Full Belli Deli from Oshkosh was third followed by Smoke Freaks in fourth and rounding the top five was 270 Smokers from Lexington VA.

Casey’s BBQ & Smokehouse another Door County team also had a good weekend. Matt Peterson of Egg Harbor finished eleventh overall on Day One with an eighth place in brisket. He also finished fourth in the Smithfield pork loin category and was runner up in the dessert category. On Day Two they were the number one team in the pork category and were fifth in brisket and eighth in pork ribs.

This was the first year for the Kid’s Que. Two age groups competed in the event 7-12 and 13-18. They cooked pork loin provided by Smithfield. The grills were donated by Lamperts of Sister Bay and charcoal by Robert and Patricia Cornell. Winners in the 7-12 group were Addison Petrasko in first, Dakota Voight in second and Maddy Little third. In the 13-18 group the winner was Krista Lasee. second went to Ryan Hallam with Titus Werner third.

Door prize winners included Aubrey Freeman of Verona WI. He won the Traeger Smoker donated by Traeger Smokers and and a half hog provided by Robert and Patricia Cornell.The 4 hp Yamaha Outboard Motor provided by Shipyard Island Marina went to Willy Clayton from Egg Harbor. The 40 quart Grizzly cooler courtesy of Grizzly Coolers was won by Kim Marcotte of Racine WI. Make plans now for the 8th Annual Death’s Door BBQ the weekend before Labor Day weekend 2019. More information will be on our website deathsdoorbbq.com or on Death’s Door BBQ Facebook page. I would like to thank my committee, volunteers, sponsors all those who attended to make our event successful. Proceeds from the event will be going to HELP of Door County and the Washington Island Community Health Program/ Food Pantry.

Missouri Teams Top Deaths Door BBQ

A large crowd was on hand Saturday to witness two Missouri teams take home the top honors at the 6th Annual Deaths Door BBQ on Washington Island. Competing against some of the best teams in the country they cooked their best to claim the top spots.

On Day One Tim Scheer of Shake N’ Bake BBQ took home the honor of Grand Champion. Scheer of New Haven MO beat out a field of forty teams to claim the title. He started off the day by having a perfect score of 180 in his chicken entry. Scheer was a repeat winner as he claimed the Grand Championship title last year. Finishing in the runner-up spot was Darren Warth of Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ. Warth cooking out of Des Moines, Iowa claimed the Reserve Grand Champion honors. Finishing third was Brad Leighninger of Getting’ Basted from Saddlebrooke MO. Fourth went to Eric Ferguson of Big “E” BBQ out of Woodstock, IL. Rounding out the top five was Blane Hunter of Valley, Nebraska. Hunters team Porky Butts BBQ was the number one team in the country in the Kansas City Barbeque Societies Team of the Year standings.

Day Two saw  Brad Leighninger of Getting’ Basted take home the Grand Champion honors. The Saddlebrooke, MO team finished third in the Day One contest. The Reserve Grand Champion award went to Jermaine Little and his Turnin Up The Heat team. Cooking out of Brown Deer, WI they were the highest finishing Wisconsin team in the two day event. Third place went to Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ. He was followed in fourth by IBQ’n@the bbqsuperstore.com team with Richard Parker as chief cook. They are based out of Lowell, Michigan. Rounding out the top five was Rod Gray and his Pellet Envy team. Gray resides in Leawood, Kansas.

Two Wisconsin teams finished in the top ten on Friday Day One. Finishing in seventh place was Tim’s Full Belli Deli out of Oshkosh. Tim Schopp and his team finished tenth in the country last year in brisket. Ninth place went to T-Mac Smokin’ from Sturgeon Bay. Tom and Becky McIntosh won Deaths Door BBQ in 2012 and 2015.

The Day Two standings also had two WI teams listed. Turnin Up The Heat was the Reserve Grand Champion and T-Mac Smokin’ finished eighth.

A team just missing the top ten on Day One Chefs Gone Grillin from Appleton ending up eleventh. Three WI teams just missed the top ten on Day Two. Buckaroo BBQ of Waukesha finished eleventh, Tim’s Full Belli Deli fourteenth and in fifteenth was Chefs Gone Grillin.

In the dessert contest held on Day One Legends of Smoke from Manitowoc had a perfect score of 180 to claim the win. Finishing in a tie for second place was Big ‘E’ BBQ and T-Mac Smokin’. In the tie breaker Big “E” BBQ was awarded second with T-Mac Smokin’ placing third. Rounding out the top five were Wicked Smoke of Fort Atkinson fourth and Buckaroo BBQ fifth.

Winner of the Wisconsin Trifecta (Big Bad Triad) sponsored by www.thebbqsuperstore.com was Iowa’s Smokey D’s with Darren Warth. Finishing second was Tim Scheer with Shake N Bake BBQ. Darren was presented a custom Gateway Smoker from Annella Kelso of Snake River Farms. The top ten teams that competed in at least two of the three two day events were eligible. The events were Masters In May and The Classic held at the Stoneyard in Appleton, Gold Ribbin BBQ Fest at the Brown County Fairgrounds and Day One and Day Two at Deaths Door BBQ held at the W.I. Airport.