2022 Memphis In May BBQ Festival

Last week barbecue enthusiasts gathered for the Memphis in May BBQ.  Officially named the “Memphis in May International Festival 2022 World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest,”  this contest is certainly deserving of that big name.  It is a massive contest allowing professionals and amateurs to compete in a variety of categories from the expected: shoulder, ribs, and sauce, to lesser seen whole hog, hot wings, and turkey.  To round it out there are also seafood and exotic categories, and even a sauce wrestling competition.  For lovers of BBQ, activities are many.  FireBoard was there to meet up with old friends and make some new ones. Click here for complete 2022 festival results.

Truly an international competition, Memphis in May attracts BBQ competition teams representing Japan, Mexico and Norway.

PitMaster Noelle and her new Spark.  Her team, I Only Smoke When I Drink, used a FireBoard to help smoke Earl, which is the name of their entry into the Whole Hog competition.

Burnt Finger’s Cook Shack smoker with a FireBoard Spark and external probe hooked up.

Custom made smokers were everywhere to be seen at Memphis in May.

FireBoard sponsored team, Burnt Finger BBQ and their award winning Spicy KC.

FireBoard sponsored team Burnt Finger BBQ, brought home a first place trophy for their delicious Spicy KC.  Led by husband and wife team Jason and Megan Day, this was not their first Memphis victory.  In 2018 their ribs earned a 2nd place trophy and in 2019 their and Honey Mustard BBQ sauce took first.  “We designed Spicy KC to bring the same great flavors of our Smokey KC sauce to the people who want a spicier barbecue sauce” says Pitmaster Megan Day.  “It’s a true condiment sauce [that] works beautifully on brisket and is perfect for French fries and nuggets.” Megan continues,”no Bloody Mary is complete without stirring in a couple of tablespoons of Spicy KC!” Apparently the judges in Memphis agree.

Jason and Megan Day using their FireBoard Spark with an external probe to track the cook of their lamb used for their Gyro entry.

Burnt Finger has been competing since 2008 and show not sign of slowing down, focusing both on competitions and building their line of barbecue products.  What is next for the Days? Megan mentions “we’d love to bottle our 2019 Memphis in May World Champion winning Honey Mustard Barbecue Sauce.  It’s amazing on chicken and pork.”

Burnt Finger team after presenting to their ribs. These timed presentations are done individually to three different judges. Burnt finger always puts on an impressive presentation.

Jason Day telling the team that their Spicy KC was finalist for the top three sauces in the tomato based category.

Burn Finger BBQ’s impressive Memphis trophy collection: 2022 1st place for Spicy KC, 2018 2nd place in Ribs, and 2019 1st place for their Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce.