ATTENTION PITMASTERS & SMOKE HEROES!
Are you ready to prove your skills on the pit? Registration is officially OPEN for Baby Mac’s BBQ Smoker Challenge, an official NEBS Classic!
Bring your best fire, your sharpest knives, and your A-game to the asphalt. This is a true-blue, old-school battle of wood and charcoal. No pellets. No electricity. No propane. Just raw talent, pure smoke, and serious cash and glory on the line.
THE GAUNTLET: FOUR EPIC CATEGORIES
Master the NEBS Classic trio and dominate the mystery appetizer to claim the crown:
- CHICKEN: Wild or farm-raised, Cornish hens, or Kosher. (Standard Garnish)
- RIBS: Pork spare, St. Louis cut, or baby backs. Must include the bone! (Standard Garnish)
- PORK: Boston Butt, Picnic, or whole shoulder (4+ lbs). No loins or chops allowed. (Standard Garnish)
- ANCILLARY APPETIZER: Small dishes cooked onsite over your fuel source. Required ingredients will be revealed 2 weeks before the main event! (Open Garnish—anything goes!)
THE RULES OF THE ROAD
We play hard, but we play by the rules. This is a double-blind judged event.
- Pure Fuel Only: Charcoal or wood smokers and grills ONLY. Electric augers and forced drafts are permitted, but no pellet or gas cookers.
- Inspect Before You Inject: All meat must arrive raw. No pre-seasoning, brining, or pre-flavoring allowed before onsite inspection. Clean trimming at home is perfectly fine!
- Turn-In Essentials: You must present at least six (6) separate, identifiable portions in the official contest-provided 9x9 boxes.
- Standard Garnish Rule: Stick strictly to green leaf/romaine lettuce, parsley, or green kale. Sauces must be on the meat—no containers, and chunks must be diced under 1/8 inch!
YOUR SITE & AMENITIES
Every team gets a prime 20’ x 20’ asphalt site (2 parking spaces) to build their BBQ kingdom.
- Electricity provided (Bring your longest extension cords!)
- Water access onsite
- Trash & ash disposal provided
- Note: Every team must have access to 3-stage washing station and an approved ABC fire extinguisher.
THE GLORY & THE POINTS
Judges will score blindly on Appearance, Taste, and Texture.
- Hardware: Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in every single category.
- The Big Titles: Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion trophies are waiting.
- Team of the Year: Scores count directly toward the NEBS TOY points! (Chief cooks must be paid NEBS members at the time of the contest to qualify—no backdating!).
Reference the official NEBS Contest Rules on www.nebs.org for deeper detail. Remember: where the website and this cooks packet differ, this packet takes precedence!
Space is limited on the asphalt. Dust off the smoker, lock in your team, and let’s see who really rules the smoke.
Sign up today and secure your 20x20 spot!
For contest rules, details, check out the Cooks Packet
2026 Baby Macs A Wish Come True Cooks Packet
Teams and Judges register below
2026 Baby Macs A Wish Come True Team Registration
2026 Baby Macs A Wish Come True Judge Registration