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.
Next year’s featured meats will be announced in 2027. Teams will also be judged on their best chef’s choice.
Blind judging kicks off at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 16 in Downtown Effingham, with a panel made up of community reps, Hometown Throwdown sponsors, and even some local celebrities!
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.
- Set-up begins at 6:00 AM on Friday, July 16.
For a full list of competition rules click here.
- BradBQ
- Jewett Tavern
- Koerner Distributor, Inc.
- Loose Screw BBQ
- Royal Smoke
- Smoke'd Backyard BBQ
- Smokin' Goats
- Table for Twelve
- Taylor Law Offices
- Wonkey Donkey
2026 Hometown Throwdown Winners
- Grand Champion - Jewett Tavern
- Top Hog Amateur - Wonkey Donkey
- Top Hog Corporate - Jewett Tavern
- Pork Butt - 1st Place - Brad BQ; 2nd Place - Koerner Distributor, Inc.
- Pork Belly - 1st Place - Loose Screw BBQ; 2nd Place - Koerner Distributor, Inc.
- Chicken - 1st Place - Jewett Tavern; 2nd Place - Wonkey Donkey
- Chef's Choice - 1st Place - Jewett Tavern; 2nd Place - Wonkey Donkey
Past Event Winners
2026 Winner
Grand Champion: Jewett Tavern
- Top Hog Amateur - Wonkey Donkey
- Top Hog Corporate - Jewett Tavern
- Pork Butt - 1st Place - Brad BQ; 2nd Place - Koerner Distributor, Inc.
- Pork Belly - 1st Place - Loose Screw BBQ; 2nd Place - Koerner Distributor, Inc.
- Chicken - 1st Place - Jewett Tavern; 2nd Place - Wonkey Donkey
- Chef's Choice - 1st Place - Jewett Tavern; 2nd Place - Wonkey Donkey
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
