Iowa Barbecue Society Special Events

KCBS Certified Barbeque Judge Class

This one-day class will certify you as a KCBS Barbeque Judge. Being a certified judge allows you to judge at any KCBS sanctioned BBQ contest. There are over 250 contests held through out the United States every year.

Cooking Demos & Cook's Spring Training Camp

In conjunction with the ISU Meat Lab, we also hold a Cook’s Spring Training Camp for people that want to get started in competing in BBQ contests or further refine their backyard BBQ skills. Top competition cooks from around the stateshare all their secrets in cooking Championship BBQ.

Iowa State BBQ Championship

The IBS organizes the annual Iowa State BBQ Championship that is held in Marshalltown Iowa. Over 60 competition BBQ teams participate, trying to win over $16,000 in cash and prizes. In addition to the contest, there is live music, a car show, and lots of good BBQ to eat.

Kids Q

The IBS sponsors a “Kids Q” competition during the Iowa State Championship. Kids ages 8 and older can compete by barbequing or grilling an entry. They are judged on showmanship and taste.

Senior Q

In 2005 the Iowa BBQ Society designated the month of October as "Senior Q" month to recognize the importance of
our elderly, and their continued value to our society. This program has become a national event, with thousands of Senior Citizens across the nation being treated to delicious barbeque, as well as companionship.

R.I.B.S. (Refining Individual Barbeque Skills) for Kids

This is a program gives Des Moines Inner City Youth a chance to experience BBQ in a controlled environment. On a given
day in November, these excited BBQ'ers (usually 50) are transported by commercial Charter Bus to Cookies BBQ Plant, and given the royal treatment. Experts from the ISU Meat Lab instruct on food handling, the State’s Top Competition BBQ cooks talk about meat preparation and cooking techniques, and then a professional Chef discusses techniques for creative dessert preparation. After that, its hands on in a real BBQ/dessert competition, complete with awards. The kids are fed a hearty breakfast and lunch, plus their creations. They are even allowed to keep their own grill and utensils so they can impress their family with their new BBQ skills.

Cooks that Care

The IBS organizes several charitable Cooks that Care events each year in which we cook barbeque to giveaway to the less fortunate. We also hold various fundraisers for charitable organizations. Since its inception, IBS members have donated over 1,100 Christmas trees and an estimated 11,000 pounds of meat.