Turkey Smoke Series



Turkey Smoke Series 2023

To further inspire Pitmasters about the versatility of turkey on the smoker, the National Turkey Federation is continuing its partnership with the Kansas City Barbeque Society for the Turkey Smoke Series. The Turkey Smoke Series will incorporate a turkey category into select KCBS-sanctioned contests across the U.S. during the 2023 barbeque season. Thousands of dollars in extra prize money and bragging rights will be up for grabs! Winning recipes will also be featured across National Turkey Federation and KCBS websites and social channels.    Teams love this category.  The 2023 contests have been selected, and we're excited to get this season underway.

Email turkeysmoke@kcbs.us with any questions.

                      DATE                           EVENT NAME                                                                                                  CITY/STATE
  • March 17               Smoke on the Shores                                                                                    Lebanon, TN
  • March 24               BBQ Gives Back                                                                                               Urbanna, VA
  • April 7                      Smoke in the Spring                                                                                       Osage City, KS
  • April 27                   Smoke on the Water BBQ Festival                                                       Florence, AL
  • May 12                    Minnesota in May                                                                                           St. Peter, MN
  • May 20                    King of the Corn                                                                                               Ottumwa, IA
  • June 3                      Original South Dakota BBQ Championship                                    Huron, SD
  • June 9                      Hoosier BBQ Classic                                                                                     Franklin, IN
  • June 17                   Almost Heaven  BBQ Bash                                                                         Buckhannon, WV
  • June 24                   Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle                                            Washington, DC
  • July 15                     Smokin' Gobbler Cook-Off                                                                        Worthington, MN
  • July 15                     Central Illinois BBQ Throwdown                                                           Eureka, IL
  • July 28 & 29          Smoke On The Rail BBQ Festival                                                           New Freedom, PA
  • August 4                 All American BBQ Throwdown                                                               Westland, MI
  • August 11-13      KCBS World Invitational                                                                              Mayetta, KS
  • August 19              BBQ & Fly-In on the River                                                                           Excelsior Springs, MO
  • September 22     Pigmaster's BBQ Challange                                                                       Rutherford College, NC
  • October 1              American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open Contest      Kansas City, KS
  • October 20           Red White & Q                                                                                                   Jackson, NJ
  • October 27           Zom-B-Que Risen from the Dead                                                           Galax, VA
*Turkey Smoke series events subject to change based on any changes to the main contest.


Turkey Smoke series Team of the Year

KCBS member pitmasters will receive points for their performance at each of the Turkey Smoke series . KCBS will track pitmasters' points across contests Turkey Smoke series using the Team of the Year points system. Participating pitmasters must be active members of KCBS to receive points in the Turkey Smoke series.

To join KCBS, or make sure you are an active member, click HERE