American Royal Crowns Winners of World Series of Barbecue Sauce and Rub Contests

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American Royal Crowns Winners of World Series of Barbecue Sauce and Rub Contests
Rob’s Smokin Rub Frog Sauce and Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ Rib Rub bring home top prizes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 14, 2025) – The American Royal has named the top barbecue sauce and rub of 2025 in the World Series of Barbecue® Sauce and Rub contests: Frog Sauce by Rob’s Smokin Rub and Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ Rib Rub by Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ.

The American Royal World Series of Barbecue Sauce Contest and World Series of Barbecue Rub Contest are the largest and most prestigious competitions of their kind in the world. Every year, barbecue teams enter hundreds of custom recipes—all commercially produced and available—in five sauce categories and two rub categories.

This year, the American Royal received 387 sauce entries and 333 rub entries, which ties for the most rub entries ever received in the competition. Each sauce entry is tasted blind by the judging committee on unseasoned pulled pork, while rubs are cooked onto a pork tenderloin. Overall champions are chosen from category winners.

“This year’s World Series of Barbecue Sauce Contest and World Series of Barbecue Rub Contest were true showcases of the international barbecue cuisine,” said Kayci Vincent, World Series of Barbecue manager at the American Royal. “We congratulate the winners and thank all of the contenders for yet another impressive year in the sauce and rub competitions.”

Awards and cash prizes are presented to the sauces and rubs that receive the top three highest scores from the judging committee. The winners for each category are:

World Series of Barbecue Sauce Contest
• Overall winner and first place vinegar sauce: Frog Sauce entered by Rob’s Smokin Rub of Manteca, California
• First place mild tomato sauce: Tillman’s Competition Brew entered by Tillman’s Barbecue of Margate, Florida
• First place hot tomato sauce: Smoke ‘n Magic Spicy Sauce, entered by Smoke ‘n Magic of Grain Valley, Missouri
• First place mustard sauce: Blues Hog Honey Mustard entered by Blues Hog LLC of Washington, Missouri
• First place specialty sauce: Haunted Heat, entered by SmokinGhost BBQ of Chillicothe, Illinois

World Series of Barbecue Rub Contest
• Overall winner and first place mild rub: Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ Rib Rub entered by Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ of Middleborough, Massachusetts
• First place hot rub: O.G. Bandits Cattle Rustler entered by O.G. Bandits BBQ of Oak Grove, Missouri

To view the full list of top sauces and rubs and to learn more about the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, visit americanroyal.com/bbq.

#

About the American Royal Association
A Kansas City tradition since 1899, the American Royal is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to be the nation’s leader for food and agriculture education, events, and engagement. The American Royal provides opportunities for nearly half a million youth and adults from around the world to engage in high-quality events and experiences, including nationally competitive livestock shows, the world’s largest barbecue competition, regional and national equine shows, youth and professional rodeos, and elementary and secondary education outreach. Support from partners, members, and volunteers help the American Royal achieve its vision of a world where food and agriculture are celebrated, and all generations are committed to its future.

Media Contact:
Julie Warner
AdFarm
[email protected]