Billy John Narron Wins NC Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship
Top pitmasters from across North Carolina competed during Got To Be NC Festival in Raleigh
RALEIGH, NC — Billy John Narron of Wicked Pig in Middlesex captured the 2026 Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship on Saturday at the NC State Fairgrounds, earning top honors in one of North Carolina’s premier barbecue competitions.
Held in conjunction with the Got to Be NC Festival hosted by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the championship featured 24 of the state’s top whole hog barbecue pitmasters, all of whom qualified through competitions held across North Carolina during the past year.
Narron and veteran pitmaster Andy Harrison of Mr. Curley’s Cue Crew in Louisburg tied for first place in the onsite culinary competition before Narron won the tiebreaker to secure his first state championship title. David Murray finished third.
“Feels good to finally get it right,” Narron said following the awards ceremony. “I had a good pig. Perfect score on skin — always a good start. The pig cooked good. I cooked it low and slow.”
Narron previously finished third in the state championship in 2018 and has been a longtime competitor on the barbecue circuit. Earlier this year, he won the BBQ on the Neuse Festival in Kinston.
Sanctioned judges evaluated each whole hog based on a combination of culinary technique and flavor. Judging criteria included appearance, moisture, skin color and crispiness, meat quality, and sauce taste. More than $7,000 in prize money and trophies were awarded across multiple categories, including Whole Hog Champion, People’s Choice, Blind Taste, Crispiest Skin, and Best Sauce.
The Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship is considered one of the top events in North Carolina barbecue and highlights a tradition deeply rooted in the state’s culture and agricultural heritage. The Whole Hog Barbecue Series includes dozens of sanctioned competitions held across North Carolina throughout the year.
Competitors began cooking Friday night and worked through the overnight hours preparing whole hog barbecue for judging Saturday morning. Whether cooking on charcoal or gas, pitmasters agreed that managing heat and cooking temperatures remains one of the keys to success.
The championship highlighted the strong camaraderie within North Carolina’s barbecue community. Contestants shared advice, encouraged one another throughout, and celebrated each other’s success despite the fierce competition.
Additional category winners included:
· People’s Choice: Ryan Murphy, Ring of Fire
· Best Sauce: Chris Fineran, Beach Boys BBQ
· Blind Taste: Mark Copeland & Billy Perry, Poccosin Boys
Perfect crispy skin scores were awarded to Chris Fineran, Andy Harrison, Ralph LeGrand, David
Murray, Billy John Narvor, and Tim Wallers.
Following the competition, the barbecue was chopped and sold as sandwiches during the Got To Be NC Festival, with proceeds supporting local charities.
The NC Pork Council has organized and sanctioned the Whole Hog Barbecue Championship since 1985 as the culmination of the Whole Hog Barbecue Series local competitions statewide. Since 2019, Whole Hog Barbecue Series events have helped raise more than $1.2 million for local charitable causes. The Whole Hog Barbecue Series and championship is one of the many ways the NC Pork Council supports local communities and events throughout our region.
About the NC Pork Council
The NC Pork Council is the voice of North Carolina’s pork industry, advocating for the family farmers and industry partners who work hard every day to produce quality pork safely, responsibly, and sustainably. North Carolina is one of the top pork-producing states in the country, ranking third nationwide and contributing $10.8 billion to our state’s economy each year. Whether through advocacy, education, or community outreach, the NC Pork Council works to support responsible, smart farming practices and to ensure the continued success of the industry. Learn more at www.ncpork.org.
About the Whole Hog Barbecue Series
Since 1985, the Whole Hog Barbecue Series, organized and sanctioned by the NC Pork Council, has celebrated and preserved North Carolina’s rich whole hog barbecue tradition through sanctioned competitions held across the state. The series includes dozens of annual events that bring together pitmasters, communities, and barbecue fans while supporting local charities and showcasing one of North Carolina’s most iconic culinary traditions. Since 2019, Whole Hog Barbecue Series events have helped raise more than $1.2 million for local charitable causes. Learn more at wholehogbarbecue.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram.
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2026 Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship
May 16-17, 2026 | Raleigh, NC
Full List of Winners
Onsite/Culinary
1. Billy John Narron, Wicked Pig
2. Andy Harrison, Mr. Curley’s Cue Crew
3. David Murray
People’s Choice
1. Ryan Murphy, Ring of Fire
2. Mark Copeland & Billy Perry, Poccosin Boys
3. James Scott, Here Piggie Piggie
Best Sauce
1. Chris Fineran, Beach Boys BBQ
2. Alex Belonduich, Triple B BBQ
3. James Scott, Here Piggie Piggie
Blind Taste
Mark Copeland & Billy Perry, Poccosin Boys
Crispy Skin (perfect score)
Chris Fineran
Andy Harrison
Ralph LeGrand
David Murray
Billy John Narron
Tim Walters