A Little Bit About Our Journey

40 Years and Counting

Welcome to Willingham’s, a world-championship BBQ products company and competition team celebrating 40 years of excellence. Since 1983 we have been dedicated to bringing the finest in BBQ and BBQ products to the masses and are proud to be recognized as one of the leading names in the industry.

Founded in 1983 by BBQ Hall of Fame Pitmaster John Willingham and now under the leadership of championship Pitmaster Paul Holden. As a competition team, we have competed and won at some of the most prestigious BBQ and culinary events in the world, including Memphis in May, The American Royal, The Jack Daniels Invitational, and The World Food Championships, racking up numerous awards and accolades, including 5 World Grand Championships, 23 Category World Championships, over 25 Grand Championships, and 100s of top 10 finishes and notable awards and recognition. Our commitment to quality and dedication to the craft of BBQ has earned us a reputation as one of the world's top BBQ product companies and competition teams.

Our cooking techniques and award-winning seasonings and sauces drive our success on the competition circuit. Each seasoning and sauce is carefully crafted to enhance the flavors of virtually any culinary style in your backyard, kitchen, or restaurant. Our products are made with only the finest ingredients and are trusted by well over 50 restaurants, 1000s of individuals, and countless BBQ teams, including our W’ham Brand Ambassadors. Championship Pitmaster of Willingham's Paul Holden So whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster, chef, or a beginner just getting started, our seasonings and sauces are the perfect addition to your culinary creations.

At Willingham’s, we are passionate about BBQ and are dedicated to sharing our love of the craft with others. So whether you’re a fan of our competition team, a user of our products, or simply someone who loves good BBQ, we invite you to join us on our journey and become a part of the Willingham’s family.

So come on in and take a look around. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished in the past 40 years and are excited to continue bringing the best in BBQ to you for many years to come.

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Our Mission

A commitment to excellence and the integrity of every product we offer.  A pledge to help everyone to discover the thrill and realization of the joys of bbq and the Willingham vision that a family that cooks together (as they play together) stays together.

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Willingham Booth at Memphis in May
Willingham's 2010 to 2022 Cook trailer
Willingham's new competition trailer for 2023
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W'ham®! The Best. No Brag, Just Fact.

Top Calls

YearAwardEventLocation
2023First Place Seafood RubNational Barbecue & Grilling Association - Awards of ExcellenceOrlando, FL
2021First Place Brisket (perfect 180 score!)BBQ Boogie & BluesCalhoun, GA
2017People's ChoiceSip & Swine BBQ FestivalLawerenceville, GA
2014First Place SauceCornelia Apple Blossom FestivalCornelia, GA
2013First Place ChickenPigs and PeachesKennesaw, GA
2013First Place RibsAtlanta BBQ FestivalAtlanta, GA
2011People's Choice Best Butt in TownCanton PignicCanton, GA
2001First Place ChickenBig Brother, Big Sister Charity BBQLafayette, LA
2000Best Sauce on the PlanetThe American RoyalKansas City, MO
1999Grand ChampionMississippi State BBQAshland, MS
1999Grand ChampionBest Ribs The Memphis FlyerMemphis, TN
1998First Place RibsPrimm Valley BBQ ChampionshipPrimm Valley, NY
1998First Place Whole HogThe Jack Daniel's InvitationalLynchberg, TN
1998Grand ChampionMississippi State BBQAshland, MS
1998Grand ChampionBlue Ridge BBQ ChampionshipTryon, NC
1998Grand ChampionPrimm Valley BBQ ChampionshipPrimm Valley, NY
1997Grand ChampionMississippi State BBQAshland, MS
1997People's ChoiceSmithsonian July 4th BBQ InvitationalWashington, D.C.
1996Best SauceArkansas BBQ Championship, Batesville, ARBatesville, AR
1996First Place RibsSt Jude - VFW BBQ FestivalMemphis, TN
1996Grand ChampionSt Jude - VFW BBQ FestivalMemphis, TN
1996People's ChoiceMemphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking ContestMemphis, TN
1995First Place Cajun Hot SauceThe American RoyalKansas City, MO
1995First Place Hot SauceThe American RoyalKansas City, MO
1995First Place Mild Vinegar SauceThe American RoyalKansas City, MO
1995First Place BeefAnything But Pork BBQ ContestSouthhaven, MS
1995First Place Seafood PastaAnything But Pork BBQ ContestSouthhaven, MS
1995Grand ChampionAnything But Pork BBQ ContestSouthhaven, MS
1994First Place BrisketMassachusetts State ChampionshipLexington, MA
1994First Place ChickenMassachusetts State ChampionshipLexington, MA
1994People's Choice - RibsMassachusetts State ChampionshipLexington, MA
1994Grand ChampionMassachusetts State ChampionshipLexington, MA
1994First Place ShoulderBlue Ridge BBQ ChampionshipTryon, NC
1994Grand ChampionBlue Ridge BBQ ChampionshipTryon, NC
1994First Place BrisketThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1994First Place RibsThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1994World Grand ChampionThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1993Grand Champion ChickenAmerican Pitmasters BBQBoston, MA
1993First Place Hot SeasoningThe American RoyalKansas City, MO
1993First Place PorkJumer's Casino BBQRock Island, IL
1993First Place BrisketJumer's Casino BBQRock Island, IL
1993First Place PorkThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1993First Place BrisketThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1993First Place RibsPig and Pepper ChampionshipCarlisle, MA
1993First Place PorkPig and Pepper ChampionshipCarlisle, MA
1992First Place RibsSt Jude - VFW BBQ FestivalMemphis, TN
1992First Place "Skinners Pasta"Memphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking ContestMemphis, TN
1992First Place Anything But PorkMemphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking ContestMemphis, TN
1992First Place RibsStar Tribune's Peoples ChoiceMinneapolis, MN
1992Grand ChampionStar Tribune's Peoples ChoiceMinneapolis, MN
1992First Place RibsPeople's Choice BBQ FestivalNorfolk, VA
1992Grand ChampionPeople's Choice BBQ FestivalNorfolk, VA
1992First Place PoultryGreat Yankee BBQBoston, MA
1992First Place RibsGreat Yankee BBQBoston, MA
1992First Place ShoulderGreat Yankee BBQBoston, MA
1992Grand ChampionGreat Yankee BBQBoston, MA
1992People's ChoiceGreat Yankee BBQBoston, MA
1992First Place BrisketThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1992First Place LambThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1992Best Sauce on the PlanetThe American RoyalKansas City, MO
1992World Reserve Grand ChampionThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1991First Place Whole HogArkansas State ChampionshipBlythville, AR
1991First Place BrisketThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1991First Place ShoulderThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1991 World Grand ChampionThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1991First Place Whole HogArkansas State ChampionshipBlythville, AR
1991First Place Whole HogCovington Jaycee BBQCovington, TN
1991First Place RibsCovington Jaycee BBQCovington, TN
1991First Place Whole HogCity FestTuscaloosa, AL
1991First Place ShoulderCity FestTuscaloosa, AL
1991First Place Whole HogChristmas on the RiverDemoposis, AL
1991First Place RibsChristmas on the RiverDemoposis, AL
1991Grand ChampionChristmas on the RiverDemoposis, AL
1991First Place BrisketPine Castle BBQ FestivalOrlando, FL
1991First Place ShoulderPine Castle BBQ FestivalOrlando, FL
1991First Place Whole HogPine Castle BBQ FestivalOrlando, FL
1991First Place RibsNational Rib CookoffCleveland, OH
1991Grand ChampionNational Rib CookoffCleveland, OH
1990First Place Whole HogMemphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking ContestMemphis, TN
1990First Place BrisketThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1990First Place ShoulderThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1990First Place WingsThe American RoyalKansas City, MO
1990First Place RibsNational Rib CookoffCleveland, OH
1990Grand ChampionNational Rib CookoffCleveland, OH
1989First Place RibsIowa State FairDes Moines, IA
1989First Place BeefIowa State FairDes Moines, IA
1989First Place RibsMississippi Valley BBQ FestivalDavenport, IA
1989First Place BeefMississippi Valley BBQ FestivalDavenport, IA
1989First Place LambAmerican Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1987First Place Spare RibsWorld's Best RibsRichmond, VA
1987Grand ChampionWorld's Best RibsRichmond, VA
1986First Place BrisketSouth Fork Ranch BBQDallas, TX
1986First Place ChickenSouth Fork Ranch BBQDallas, TX
1986First Place RibsSouth Fork Ranch BBQDallas, TX
1986Grand ChampionSouth Fork Ranch BBQDallas, TX
1984First Place BeefThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1984First Place LambThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1984First Place PorkThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1984World Grand ChampionThe American Royal InvitationalKansas City, MO
1984First Place RibsMemphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking ContestMemphis, TN
1984World Grand ChampionMemphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking ContestMemphis, TN
1983First Place RibsMemphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking ContestMemphis, TN
1983 World Grand ChampionMemphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking ContestMemphis, TN

Other Notable Apperances/Recognition

YearAwardEventLink
2021Featured on Martynas Starkus' Pasaulio Puodai (Pots of the World) on LRT.LT TVMemphis In May, Memphis, TNClick To View
2013Featured on Adam Richman's "Fandemonium"Memphis In May, Memphis, TNClick To View
2001Featured as "Best BBQ in Memphis, TN"Chili Pepper Magazine
2001Featured on Food Nation with Bobby Flay S2 Ep17 - Memphis, TNNew York, NY
2000Frito Lay's / Cross Creek RanchBBQ & Barn Dance, McKinney, TX
1999Featured on Food Network's with Al RokerNew York, NY
1998Best Cooker in the WorldMemphis In May, Memphis, TN
1998Featured on "Home Cooking with Amy Coleman"Vancouver, B.C.
1998Featured on NBC Today Show's BBQ SpecialNew York, NY
1997Best Cooker in the WorldMemphis In May, Memphis, TN
1997Featured on "At Home on the Grill" PBS SpecialMemphis, TN
1997Featured on "Prime Time Live" at Memphis in MayMemphis, TN
1996Best Que OffshoreFreeport McMoran Invitational, Gulf of Mexico
1995The "Sony's" Best Barbeque in AmericaLong Island, NY
1995The Quinn Award for Bar-B-Que ExcellenceJonesboro, AR
1994Best Cooker in the WorldMemphis In May, Memphis, TN
1993Best Cooker in the WorldMemphis In May, Memphis, TN
1992Cook Team of the YearMemphis In May, Memphis, TN
1991Cook Team of the YearMemphis In May, Memphis, TN

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