Twenty-eight of the top whole hog barbecue cooks filled South Street in downtown Raleigh this weekend to compete for more than $7,000 in cash prizes and to be crowned the 2019 State Champion.
After more than 24 hours of preparation, cooking and serving in unseasonably high temperatures, Kevin Peterson of Benson took home the top trophy and won the Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship. This is the second time that Kevin and his wife Dana, known on the competition circuit as Showtime’s Legit BBQ, won. They won the championship in 2017. Peterson beat out the defending champion, Chris Fineran of Myrtle Beach, S.C., who took second and Billy Narron of Middlesex took home third place.
In addition to the top culinary category, winners were also announced for best sauce, crispiest skin, blind taste and People’s Choice, which was voted on by attendees to the event. Winners are announced below:
NC Pork representatives: (l-r) Chad Herring, Brandon Warren, Andy Curliss, James Lamb
2019 Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship (pictured L to R):
1st Place: Kevin Peterson, Showtime’s Legit BBQ
2nd Place: Chris Fineran, Beach Boys BBQ
3rd Place: Billy Narron, Wicked Pig
Crispy Skin: Chris Fineran, Beach Boys BBQ
Blind Taste Judging:
1st Place: Kevin Peterson, Showtime’s Legit BBQ
2nd Place: Jason Baker, Baker Boys BBQ
3rd Place: David Grandy, Lazy Days
Best Sauce:
1st Place: Ashley Wheeler, Smokin’ Black Jack BBQ
2nd Place: Mark Copeland & Billy Perry, Pocosin Boys
3rd Place: Brooke South, South in Your Mouth Cookin’ Team
People’s Choice Award, sponsored by BQ Grills:
1st Place: Brooke South, South in Your Mouth Cookin’ Team
2nd Place: Justin Boswell, Busted Grills
3rd Place: Kacey Field, KC-Que
