The Chapter Hosted Its First Annual Alamo City BBQ Cookoff
By NKBA Staff
The sweet smell of mesquite smoke and the spirit of community filled the air at Good Bull Ranch in Spring Branch, Texas, as the NKBA Texas South Plains Chapter hosted its 1st Annual Alamo City BBQ Cookoff on October 24–25, 2025.
This inaugural event brought together designers, builders, manufacturers, and BBQ enthusiasts from across the region for two unforgettable days of friendly competition, live music, and good old-fashioned Texas hospitality—all in support of NKBA’s Scholarship Fund for trade and design students.
Organized by Glenn McNamara, Programs Chair for the Texas South Plains Chapter, the Cookoff wasn’t just about great BBQ—it was about building the future of the industry. “Our goal was to do more than just host a competition,” said McNamara. “We wanted to create a meaningful event that brings people together and gives back. Every dollar raised helps a student pursue a career in the trades or interior design. That’s something worth celebrating.”
Smoke, Spice, and Scholarship
Over the course of two days, teams competed for over $4,000 in prizes across ten categories, including Brisket, Spare Ribs, and Chicken—plus a lineup of crowd-pleasing “Jackpot” contests featuring Chili, Queso, Margaritas, Desserts, Beans, Salsa, Bloody Marys, and Cook’s Choice entries.
Competition was fierce but friendly, with judges using a double-masked system to ensure fairness. The Grand Champion and Reserve Champion were crowned Saturday afternoon, with 50% of all Jackpot winnings donated directly back to the NKBA Scholarship Fund.
In true Texas fashion, Friday night turned into a lively community gathering as guests enjoyed live music, BBQ tastings, and a BYOB social that ran late into the evening. Attendees were encouraged to “bring plenty of food and drink to share,” creating an atmosphere that was equal parts competition and family reunion.
A Community of Support
The event’s success was made possible by the generous support of sponsors, including Dacor, Ferguson Home, JennAir, Fisher & Paykel, Moen, Samsung, and TOTO, as well as numerous local partners and NKBA members.
Sponsorship levels ranged from Event and Awards Sponsors to Gold and Silver Raffle Partners, ensuring companies of all sizes could participate in supporting education and workforce development.
“Every brand that contributed helped make this vision a reality,” McNamara added. “This was a true team effort from our industry, and we’re incredibly grateful.”
A Tradition in the Making
With dozens of competitors, hundreds of attendees, and thousands of dollars raised for education, the first-ever NKBA Alamo City BBQ Cookoff set a high bar for future years.
The chapter has already begun planning next year’s event, with even more opportunities for local businesses, students, and community members to get involved.
“This was just the beginning,” said McNamara. “We proved that when our industry comes together, we can have a great time—and make a real impact.”
