Iowa Pork Barbecue Competition Calls on Backyard Grill Masters to Show Their Skills

Mar 17, 2025

Are you the king or queen of backyard barbecue? It’s time to put your skills to the test! Amateur grillers from across Iowa are invited to showcase their talent at the backyard BBQ competition, part of the BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark event this summer in Des Moines.

Presented by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and the Iowa Cubs, the third-annual BBQ & Brew is a fun-filled, charitable event happening Saturday, June 21 at Principal Park. Open to the public, attendees will enjoy mouthwatering Iowa pork, locally brewed craft beers, live music, and expert cooking demonstrations—all while supporting food pantries across the state.

A Chance to Win Big & Earn Bragging Rights

“This event is all about celebrating Iowa’s love for pork and barbecue,” said Aaron Juergens, IPPA president and a pig farmer from Carroll. “It’s a great opportunity for backyard pitmasters to step up, show off their barbeque techniques, and compete for top honors—and some serious cash.”

The all-pork BBQ & Brew Contest will award nearly $12,000 in total prizes, with competitors vying for top spots in three categories: pork loin, pork butt, and St. Louis-style ribs. Cash prizes will go to the top 10 overall competitors, as well as the top 10 finishers in each category. Certified judges will evaluate entries based on appearance, taste, and tenderness.

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Video: Food Inflation and Pork Demand - Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Professor and Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, discusses how food inflation is reshaping Canadian protein demand. He explains why pork remains competitively priced, consumer behavior, and why transparency, AI-assisted shopping, and protein demand will matter in the years ahead. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The potential of pork is there. We just need to see the product assume that role and take it away because all the elements are there."

Meet the guest: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in Dalhousie University's Faculty of Management and Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab. His research focuses on food distribution, food policy, food safety, food security, and traceability. Dr. Charlebois has written four books and more than 500 peer-reviewed and scientific articles. He holds a BComm from the Royal Military College, an MBA from UQAM, and a DBA from the University of Sherbrooke. Learn more from Dr. Sylvain Charlebois on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.