SmokeSlam: Meet the winners of Memphis' new barbecue contest

SmokeMasters BBQ was named the Grand Champion of the inaugural SmokeSlam barbecue festival.

The Memphis team was announced as Grand Champion and winner in the Ribs division during Saturday's awards ceremony at Tom Lee Park in Downtown Memphis.

It was the perfect birthday present for chief cook of SmokeMasters Will Hair, who turned 50 on Saturday. The SmokeSlam Players band played "Happy Birthday" for Hair as he held up his trophy. "Nobody ever wins these things with a rib," Hair said. "I couldn't be more excited."

The pitmaster couldn't stop thanking his fellow team members for their contributions this competition, but struggled to find the words for what this win meant for him.

"I'm exhausted," he said laughing. "12 on-site presentations is a lot. I couldn't have done it without my team, and I'm thrilled, I'm absolutely thrilled. Not only just being a great contest, but being the first one... I'm at a loss for words, and I'm never at a loss for words."

57 teams competed in the first edition of SmokeSlam, which kicked off Thursday at the riverfront park and wrapped up Saturday. The grand total up for grabs amounted to $250,000, with the Grand Champion receiving $50,000 of that.

At the beginning of Saturday's ceremony, Rylee Wright (aka Steak Princess) was named the World Junior BBQ League Grand Champion. Wright received a $5,000 prize.

Here is a look all the SmokeSlam winners.

Grand Champion

SmokeMasters BBQ

Ribs

1. SmokeMasters BBQ

2. Grind City Smokers

3. Grind City BBQ Company

Pulled Pork

1. Poker Porkers

2. SmokeMasters BBQ

3. Fat Head BBQ

Whole Hog

1. Hog Addiction

2. SmokeMasters BBQ

3. Rescue Smokers

Seafood

1. Swineantology

2. Pancho & Lefty

3. Hog Wild Competition Team

4. Hog Addiction

5. Rescue Smokers

Poultry

1. Team Croix Valley

2. Phil the Grill

3. I Only Smoke When I Drink

4. Rescue Smokers

5. DLC Smokers

Wings

1. Phil the Grill

2. Hog Addiction

3. Swineantology

4. Pancho & Lefty

5. Rescue Smokers

Memphis barbecue fests: Memphis' BBQ contests face off hog-to-hog. We visited both to see who brought the smoke.

Duck

1. Shotgun House Smokers

2. Chi-Town Cookers

3. Hog Wild Competition Team

4. Fire Dancer BBQ

5. Pancho & Lefty

Bacon

1. Rebel Roaster Revue

2. Pancho & Lefty

3. Ole Booger Bears BBQ

4. Team Croix Valley

5. Swineantology

Dessert

1. Fire Dancer BBQ

2. The Pit Crew of Faith & Fires Ministry

3. Smokin n the Bandits

4. SmokeMasters BBQ

5. Team Croix Valley

Beef

1. SmokeMasters BBQ

2. Firehouse 5

3. The Pit Crew of Faith & Fires Ministry

4. Swineantology

5. Phil the Grill

Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: SmokeSlam in Memphis: Here are the winners at new barbecue contest