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.