05/18/2026
Huge congratulations to Prairie Fresh Pit Crew powerhouse Heath Riles BBQ on capturing Overall Grand Champion at the Memphis in May International Festival World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest— again!
This marks Heath’s second world championship, going back-to-back (2025 and 2026) — something that hasn’t been done in 42 years at this prestigious competition. That’s not just winning, that’s making BBQ history. 👏🔥
And to make it even sweeter, it was done with Prairie Fresh USA Prime backribs. Championship pork for a championship run. 💪🐖
🎉 Big cheers to BBQBugsy and Prairie Fresh Pit Crew member and head pitmaster 13-year-old Jacey for taking top honors in the Patio Porkers division — competing and winning against adult teams using Prairie Fresh USA Prime backribs. That’s an incredible accomplishment and proof the next generation is already making its mark in a big way!
🙌 And that momentum carries right into the next wave of talent — shoutout to the Prairie Fresh Pit Crew next generation: Bernie and Cooper of 360 BBQ 2.0 for winning overall Junior Contest honors, and Dakoda with First Class BBQ 2.0 for winning pork chop in the MIM WCBCC Junior Contest. We love cheering on and supporting the next generation while helping teach life skills through BBQ.
👏 Congratulations to Prairie Fresh brand ambassadors The Shed BBQ and Blues Joint for earning second place in the Kingsford Tour of Champions along with a Top 10 call in whole hog. Prairie Fresh was proud to provide Prairie Fresh USA Prime pork butts to all teams competing on the Kingsford Tour.
👏 A special thank you to Heath Riles BBQ and team for serving up samples to BBQ fans, giving them a true taste of championship BBQ with Prairie Fresh. That’s how you build barbecue fans for life. And thank you, Heath and your incredibly hard-working team, for making Prairie Fresh proud.
🔥 And shoutout to our friends at Weber Grills for highlighting Prairie Fresh USA Prime during the Open Fire Experience on Saturday — an awesome celebration of fire, flavor and community.
Moments like this remind us how proud we are to stand alongside this incredible community — from champions to the next generation — all united by a passion for great BBQ. That’s why we love BBQ.
Champions choose Prairie Fresh. 🏆🐖🔥