Hometown
Throwdown
Think you’ve got what it takes to rule the grill?
The EffingHAM-JAM Hometown Throwdown is calling all amateur pitmasters to fire up their smokers and compete for bragging rights (and prizes!) in multiple BBQ categories. Whether you’re a backyard BBQ hero or a team of coworkers with a secret rub recipe, this is your time to shine.
This year’s featured meats are boneless skinless chicken thighs & pork butt—with a special bonus round of pork belly (YUM!!!) exclusively for our judges. And don’t forget the flavor-packed extras—teams will also be judged on their best chef’s choice.
Blind judging kicks off at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17 in Downtown Effingham, with a panel made up of community reps, Hometown Throwdown sponsors, and even certified KCBS judges.
Then at 5:00 p.m., the real showdown begins—community tastings open to the public until samples are gone.
Ready to compete? We’d love to have you on board!
Contest Rules and Information
- The Hometown Throwdown is open to local/amateur entrants only.
- There is a $150.00 entry fee to participate.
- One member of each team is to be trained and certified as an Illinois Food Handler.
- A Mandatory 'Cooks' Meeting will be help prior to the competition on Tuesday, June 30 at 5:00pm.
- Set-up begins at 6:00 AM on Friday, July 17.
For a full list of competition rules click here.
- John Boos & Co.
- Loose Screw BBQ
- Southridge Smokers
- Wonkey Donkey
2025 Hometown Throwdown Winners
- Grand Champion - Wonkey Donkey
- Top Hog Amateur - Wonkey Donkey
- Top Hog Corporate - Table for Twleve
- Chicken Wings - 1st Place - Southridge Smokers; 2nd Place - Table for Twelve
- Pork - 1st Place - Wonkey Donkey; 2nd Place - John Boos & Co.
- Turkey - 1st Place - Table for Twelve; 2nd Place - Smoked Backyard BBQ
- Chef's Choice - 1st Place - Wonkey Donkey; 2nd Place - Gabby Goat
Past Event Winners
2025 Winner
Grand Champion: Wonkey Donkey
- Top Hog Amateur - Wonkey Donkey
- Top Hog Corporate - Table for Twelve
- Chicken Wings - 1st Place - Southridge Smokers; 2nd Place - Table for Twelve
- Pork - 1st Place - Wonkey Donkey; 2nd Place - John Boos & Co.
- Turkey Breast - 1st Place - Table for Twelve; 2nd Place - Smoked Backyard BBQ
- Chef's Choice - 1st Place - Wonkey Donkey; 2nd Place - Gabby Goat
2024 Winner
Grand Champion: John Boos & Co
- Top Hog Amateur - Wonkey Donkey
- Top Hog Corporate - John Boos & Co
- Side Dish - 1st Place - PearHead BBQ; 2nd Place - Holy Smokers Rub Co.
- Chicken - 1st Place - Porking Lot Smokers; 2nd Place - John Boos & Co.
- Ribs - 1st Place - The Saucy Dudes; 2nd Place - Holy Smokers Rub Co.
- Pork - 1st Place - The Saucy Dudes; 2nd Place - Holy Smokers Rub Co.
2023 Winner
Grand Champion: Wonkey Donkey
- Top Hog Amateur - Wonkey Donkey
- Top Hog Corporate - Holy Smokers Rub Co.
- Chicken - 1st Place - Porking Lot Smokers, 2nd Place - Wonkey Donkey
- Pork - 1st Place - Wonkey Donkey, 2nd Place - PearHead BBQ
- Side Dish - 1st Place - Dan Hecht Chevrolet-Toyota, 2nd Place - PearHead BBQ
- Sauce/Rub - 1st Place - John Boos & Co, 2nd Place - Wonkey Donkey
2022 Winner
Grand Champion: Porking Lot Smokers
- Top Hop Amateur – Porking Lot Smokers
- Top Hog Corporate – John Boos & Co.
- Chicken – 1st John Boos & Co., 2nd Wonkey Donkey
- Pork – 1st Porking Lot Smokers, 2nd Pearhead BBQ
- Side Dish – 1st John Boos & Co., 2nd Porking Lot Smokers
- Sauce/Rub – 1st Dan Hecht Chevrolet-Toyota, 2nd Poe’d Smoked BBQ
2021 Winner
Grand Champion: John Boos & Co.
- Top Hog Amateur: Jackass BBQ
- Top Hog Corporate: Weis Insurance
- Chicken: 1st Porking Lot Smokers, 2nd John Boos & Co.
- Pork: 1st John Boos & Co., 2nd Porking Lot Smokers
- Sauce/Rub: 1st John Boos & Co., 2nd Porking Lot Smokers
- Theme: 1st John Boos & Co, 2nd Porking Lot Smokers
2019 Winner
Grand Champion: Porking Lot Smokers
- Top Hog Amateur: Porking Lot Smokers
- Top Hog Corporate: Al’s Tire Mart
- Chicken: 1st Porking Lot Smokers, 2nd Bethlehem Lutheran
- Pork: 1st Al’s Tire Mart, 2nd Bethlehem Lutheran
- Presentation: 1st Al’s Tire Mart, 2nd Porking Lot Smokers
- Sauce/Rub: 1st Al’s Tire Mart, 2nd Drunkie Dougees BBQ Team
- Theme: 1st Al’s Tire Mart, 2nd Porking Lot Smokers
2018 Winner
Grand Champion: Porking Lot Smokers
- Chicken: 1st Porking Lot Smokers, 2nd Rubbed Raw BBQ
- Pork: 1st Porking Lot Smokers, 2nd Koerner Distributor, Inc.
- Sauce/Rub: 1st Porking Lot Smokers, 2nd Farmweld
- Theme: 1st Farmweld, 2nd Porking Lot Smokers
2017 Winner
Grand Champion: Kick Addis BBQ
- People’s Choice: Kick Addis BBQ
- Theme: Porking Lot Smokers
