Smokers from across the Midwest sought glory in the pursuit of barbecue perfection at the 22nd Annual Laurie Hillbilly BBQ Festival this weekend.
This year's title of grand champion went to Sleepy Hollow BBQ. Helmed by Marc Oakes and Matt Townsend, Sleepy Hollow won $1,500 and a banner for their overall contest win, took top billing in the ribs category, and placed in the top three in both the pork and brisket categories as well.
As grand champion, the team is invited to go to the American Royal and is entered in the Jack Daniels contest as part of the Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned event.
Gilly's BBQ placed second and Shake-N-Bake BBQ, which specializes in drum smoking, placed third.
Half-Sauced Barbecue, an Osage Beach restaurant, placed fourth overall, and won the prize of the top scoring local team.
Team Doghouse BBQ won the pork category and the Epic BBQ Crew won chicken.
In the Kids-Q competition, Jonathan Rauert took first in the 5- to 10-year-old division, while Kyle Cunningham won the 11- to 15-year-old competition.
The two-day festival consisted of more than just the cook-off. Friday night, the Osage Outlaws Band played a small concert while the competitors prepared and served chicken wing samples.
Each team earning a first place prize took home $250, and second place winners got $100.