Three-Time Champions: Heath Riles BBQ Makes History at the 2025 Memphis in May World Championship
Heath Riles BBQ claimed the Grand Champion title at the 2025 Memphis in May World Championship — their third crown in four years — cementing their place among the all-time greats of competition BBQ.
The smoke has cleared over Liberty Park, and when the judges’ scores were tallied at the 2025 Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, one name stood above all others — again. Heath Riles BBQ walked away with the Grand Champion title for the third time in four years, delivering a performance that left the competition BBQ world buzzing and cemented their legacy as one of the most dominant teams in the history of the sport.
What Is Memphis in May?
For the uninitiated, Memphis in May is not just a BBQ contest — it’s the Super Bowl of smoke. Held annually since 1978 at Liberty Park in Midtown Memphis, Tennessee, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest draws hundreds of teams from across the globe, all competing for the most coveted titles in competition BBQ. With categories spanning ribs, shoulder, and whole hog, plus the ultimate Grand Champion designation, Memphis in May is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and demanding BBQ competitions on the planet. Winning once is a career achievement. Winning three times in four years is the stuff of legend.
2025 Results: The Leaderboard
Here’s how the top honors shook out at this year’s championship:
- Grand Champion: Heath Riles BBQ
- 1st Place Ribs: Heath Riles BBQ
- 1st Place Whole Hog: Will-Be-Que
- 1st Place Shoulder: Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Que
- Reserve Grand Champion: Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Que
It was a strong showing across the board, with Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Que — a legendary name in Alabama BBQ — earning both the Shoulder title and Reserve Grand Champion honors. Will-Be-Que’s whole hog victory is a testament to the depth of talent that shows up every year in Memphis. But make no mistake: this was Heath Riles BBQ’s day.
Inside the Win: How Heath Riles BBQ Did It
Grand Champion titles at Memphis in May aren’t handed out — they’re earned through obsessive preparation, relentless attention to detail, and a deep understanding of what makes BBQ transcend the ordinary. Heath Riles BBQ’s 2025 run was a masterclass in all three.
The Rib Selection Process
The team hand-trimmed an extraordinary 92 racks of ribs just to identify the best 24 to put on the smoker. That’s not a typo. Ninety-two racks, carefully evaluated for consistency, marbling, and structure, whittled down to the two dozen that met their exacting standards. In competition BBQ, the cook starts long before the fire is lit — and this level of prep is exactly what separates champions from contenders.
The Flavor Profile
Heath Riles BBQ deployed a carefully layered combination of rubs, sauces, and glazes to build the complex, competition-worthy flavor profile that wowed the judges. The team’s approach to seasoning is both an art and a science — building depth in stages, balancing sweet, savory, and heat in a way that reads as effortless even when it’s anything but.
The Equipment
For the cook itself, the team fired up an Outlaw BFO Smoker fueled by Royal Oak Charcoal — a setup that delivers the consistent heat and clean smoke that competition BBQ demands. The right equipment in the right hands makes all the difference, and Heath Riles BBQ knows how to get the most out of their rig.
The Bigger Picture: Competition BBQ Is on the Rise
Heath Riles BBQ’s dominance at Memphis in May is more than a great story — it’s a signal of where competition BBQ is headed. The sport is growing, the talent pool is deepening, and the stakes are getting higher. Teams that once competed regionally are now building national and international profiles, and events like Memphis in May are the proving grounds where reputations are made.
For Heath Riles and his team, this third Grand Champion title isn’t just a trophy — it’s a qualifying credential on the road to something even bigger.
Eyes on Las Vegas: The BBQ World Cup in 2027
The competition BBQ world is already looking ahead to April 2027, when the BBQ World Cup — a $1 million global championship — comes to Las Vegas. The event promises to bring together the best pitmasters from around the world for the ultimate test of skill, fire, and flavor. Performances like Heath Riles BBQ’s run at Memphis in May are exactly the kind of résumé-builders that will define who earns a spot on that stage.
The road to Las Vegas runs through events like Memphis in May, and the teams putting in the work now are the ones who will be competing for that $1M purse when the time comes.
Follow the Circuit
If the 2025 Memphis in May results have you fired up — and they should — now is the perfect time to plug into the competition BBQ circuit. From regional contests to national championships, there’s incredible BBQ happening all year long, and BBQ United is your home base for results, team profiles, and everything happening in the world of competitive 'cue.
Follow along, cheer on your favorite teams, and keep your eyes on the pitmasters who are pushing the craft forward. The next chapter is already being written.
Sources & Further Reading
For more on Heath Riles BBQ’s championship run, read the team’s own account of their 2025 Memphis in May Grand Champion win straight from the source. For official results coverage, see the Memphis Commercial Appeal’s full report on the 2025 contest winners.