RALEIGH – The Whole Hog Barbecue Series State Championship may have looked a little different this year, but it was just as competitive as ever. Twenty-four of the top whole hog barbecue cook teams traveled to Raleigh to go head-to-head for cash prizes, trophies and the title of 2021 Whole Hog Barbecue State Champion.
In the end, Wesley Bowers of Washington took home the top prize and a spot in the Whole Hog Barbecue Hall of Fame. Bowers and his Gettin’ Piggy With It cook team earned $2,000 in cash and a championship ring.
Kevin Wooten of Raleigh took second place, earning him $1,000 and a trophy. Wooten also won the sauce competition which also earned him $500.
David Grandy of Morehead City had the third-place pig, earning him $500 and a trophy. Grandy also earned $500 for having the crispiest skin.
This event was closed to the public due to COVID-19, so 797 pounds of pork was donated to the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle to be used in their feeding programs.
“The North Carolina Pork Council and pig farmers across the state take our mission to feed our neighbors seriously,” said Jen Kendrick, NCPC director of communications. “We are grateful for our partnership with Inter-Faith Food Shuttle and we’re excited that all the barbecue is going to help feed people in need across the region.”
Cooks qualified to compete in the championship by placing in a local, sanctioned competition. Chefs arrived on Friday afternoon to set up their cooking stations and camps. They received their whole hogs off the truck at 8 p.m. They quickly got to work prepping their pig for an entire night of cooking before judging began at 8 a.m. sharp on Saturday morning.
In addition to the Culinary judging category, chefs also competed for the title of Best Sauce, Crispiest Skin, Blind Taste and People’s Choice, which was voted on by a panel of celebrity judges.
Winners are announced below:
2021 Whole Hog Barbecue Series State Championship:
1st Place: Wesley Bowers – Getting’ Piggy with It – Washington $2,000 + choice of a trophy or a championship ring
2nd Place: Kevin Wooten – Pickin’ and Grillin’ – Raleigh $1,000 + a trophy
3rd Place: David Grandy – Lazy Days BBQ – Morehead City $500 + a trophy
Blind Taste Test:
1st Place: Chris Fineran – Beach Boys BBQ – Little River, SC $1,000 + a trophy
2nd Place: Dana Peterson – Yabotit ‘Cue – Benson $500
3rd Place (tie): Jason Baker – Baker Boys BBQ – Goldsboro and Kevin Wooten – Pickin’ and Grillin’ – Raleigh $300 each
People’s Choice:
1st Place: DJ Stox – Bull Pen BBQ – Kenly $500 + a trophy
2nd Place: Jeffrey Parkhurst – J-3 Cooking Team – Goldsboro $300
3rd Place: Andy Harrison – Mr. Curley’s Cue Crew – Louisburg $100
Sauce:
1st Place: Kevin Wooten – Pickin’ and Grillin’ – Raleigh $500 + a trophy
2nd Place: Chris Fineran – Beach Boys BBQ – Little River, SC $300
3rd Place: Dana Peterson – Yabotit ‘Cue – Benson $100
Crispy Skin:
David Grandy – Lazy Days BBQ – Morehead City $500 + a trophy
Learn more about the competition series at wholehogbarbecue.com.
