World Food Championships Ignite New Era in Barbecue with Launch of WFC Ring of Fire World BBQ Championship

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Posted Jun 10, 2025

World Food Championships Ignite New Era in Barbecue with Launch of WFC Ring of Fire World BBQ Championship

Indianapolis, IN (June 10, 2025) --The World Food Championships (WFC) is thrilled to announce the formation of an all-new, elite barbecue competition format: the WFC Ring of Fire World BBQ Championship, which will debut during WFC’s 2025 Main Event, taking place October 16-19 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in Indianapolis.

Designed to galvanize the barbecue industry and delight fans of live fire and slow-smoked perfection, the WFC Ring of Fire World BBQ Championship will bring together ten (10) of the world’s top pitmaster teams in a one-of-a-kind showdown. Five (5) of these teams will come from the top-scoring finalists in WFC’s traditional two-day Barbecue Category competition. The remaining five (5) teams will consist of champions from some of the most prestigious and well-recognized BBQ events in the world, including:

Grand Champion of Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
Team of the Year from Champions Barbecue Alliance (CBA)
Grand Champion of The American Royal World Series of Barbecue® Invitational Contest
Grand Champion of The KCBS World Invitational
Grand Champion of The Jack Daniel’s World BBQ Invitational

This newly renamed and reimagined “final round” of WFC’s barbecue division aims to elevate the competition industry by showcasing the most accomplished and decorated pitmasters in an engaging, fan-friendly environment.

“The WFC Ring of Fire World BBQ Championship is a celebration of excellence in barbecue,” said Mike McCloud, Founder of the World Food Championships. “We wanted to build something bold that not only recognizes the best pitmasters from the world’s top barbecue events, but also brings them together in a way that entertains and educates BBQ fans. This is a true ‘Super Bowl’ moment for competition barbecue and WFC is proud to light the flame.”

The WFC Ring of Fire World BBQ Championship will not only test the culinary mettle of these elite teams but also serve as a spectator-friendly experience where fans can meet, learn from, and sample the work of the world’s top BBQ talent. Designed for both die-hard aficionados and curious newcomers, the “Ring of Fire” will bring together the most respected names in barbecue and offer an unforgettable live fire experience that honors tradition while igniting innovation.

Format details, judging criteria, additional prizing, and special programming elements for the WFC Ring of Fire World BBQ Championship will be distributed this summer. The list of participating champions will also be released as the major champions are crowned.

To stay up to date on all things related to the World Food Championships visit worldfoodchampionships.com or follow World Food Championships on Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships), Twitter (X) (@WorldFoodChamp), and LinkedIn (@WorldFoodChampionshipsHoldings).

About World Food Championships
The World Food Championships (WFC) is the premier food sport competition globally. This multi-day, live culinary event showcases some of the world's best cooks competing for food, fame, and fortune across multiple categories. Each year, thousands of teams vie for a coveted Golden Ticket at official qualifiers to earn their spot at WFC. Since its debut in 2012, the event has attracted participants from nearly 40 countries and every state in the U.S. The 2025 World Food Championships will take place October 16-19 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in Indianapolis. For more information, visit WorldFoodChampionships.com.

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World Food Championships Ignite New Era in Barbecue with Launch of WFC Ring of Fire World BBQ Championship

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