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 is now under the direction 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 and will bring the taste of competition-style BBQ to your backyard, kitchen, or restaurant. Our products are made with only the finest ingredients and are trusted by over 50 restaurants, 1000s of individuals, and countless BBQ teams, including our W’ham Brand Ambassadors. They are design
ed to enhance the natural flavors in whatever dish you may be preparing. So whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster, chef, or a beginner just getting started, our seasonings and sauces are the perfect addition to any culinary style.
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.
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.
W'ham®! The Best. No Brag, Just Fact.
Top Calls
| Year | Award | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | First Place Seafood Rub | National Barbecue & Grilling Association - Awards of Excellence |
| 2021 | First Place Brisket (perfect 180 score!) | BBQ Boogie & Blues, Calhoun, GA |
| 2017 | People's Choice | Sip & Swine, Lawrenceville, GA |
| 2014 | First Place Sauce | Cornelia Apple Blossom Festival, Cornelia, GA |
| 2013 | First Place Chicken | Pigs and Peaches, Kennesaw, GA |
| 2013 | First Place Ribs | Atlanta BBQ Festival, Atlanta, GA |
| 2011 | People's Choice Best Butt in Town | Canton Pignic, Canton, GA |
| 2001 | First Place Chicken | Big Brother, Big Sister Charity BBQ, Lafayette, La. |
| 2000 | Best Sauce on the Planet | American Royal, Kansas City, Missouri |
| 1999 | Grand Champion | Mississippi State BBQ, Ashland, Miss. |
| 1999 | Grand Champion, Best Ribs Overall | Memphis Flyer, Memphis, TN |
| 1998 | First Place Ribs | Prim Valley BBQ Championship, Prim, NY |
| 1998 | First Place Whole Hog | Jack Daniel's Invitational, Lynchberg, TN |
| 1998 | Grand Champion | Mississippi State BBQ, Ashland, MS |
| 1998 | Grand Champion | North Carolina State Championship, Tryon, N.C. |
| 1998 | Grand Champion | Prim Valley BBQ Championship, Prim, NY |
| 1997 | Grand Champion | Mississippi State BBQ, Ashland, Miss. |
| 1997 | People's Choice | Smithsonian July 4th Invitational, Washington, D.C. |
| 1996 | Best Sauce | Arkansas BBQ Championship, Batesville, AR |
| 1996 | First Place Ribs | St. Jude/VFW BBQ Festival, Whitehaven, TN |
| 1996 | Grand Champion | St. Jude/VFW BBQ Festival, Whitehaven, TN |
| 1996 | People's Choice | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 1995 | First Place Beef | Anything But Pork, Southhaven, MS |
| 1995 | First Place Cajun Hot Sauce | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1995 | First Place Hot Sauce | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1995 | First Place Mild Vinegar Sauce | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1995 | First Place Seafood Pasta | Anything But Pork, Southhaven, MS |
| 1995 | Grand Champion | Anything But Pork, Southhaven, MS |
| 1994 | Grand Champion | American Royal-Invitational, Kansas City, MO |
| 1994 | First Place Beef Brisket | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1994 | First Place Farmland Ribs | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1994 | Grand Champion | Miss. State Championship, Lexington, Miss. |
| 1994 | Reserve Grand Champion | North Carolina State Championship, Tryon, N.C. |
| 1992 | Best Sauce on the Planet | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1992 | First Piace Poultry | Great Yankee BBQ, Boston, MA |
| 1992 | First Piace Ribs | Great Yankee BBQ, Boston, MA |
| 1992 | First Piace Shoulder | Great Yankee BBQ, Boston, MA |
| 1992 | First Place "Skinner's Pasta" | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 1992 | First Place Anything But Pork | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 1992 | First Place Brisket | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1992 | First Place Lamb | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1992 | Grand Champion | Great Yankee BBQ, Boston, MA |
| 1992 | Grand Champion Chicken | American Pitmasters BBQ, Boston, Mass. |
| 1992 | Grand Champion People's Choice Ribs | Star Trib, Magis, MS |
| 1992 | Grand Champion Ribs | People's Choice, BBQ Festival, Norfolk, VA |
| 1992 | People's Choice | Great Yankee BBQ, Boston, MA |
| 1992 | Reserve Grand Champion | American Royal-Open, Kansas City, MO |
| 1991 | First Place Brisket | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1991 | First Place Brisket | Castle BBQ Fest, Orlando, FL |
| 1991 | First Place Ribs | Christmas on the River, Demopolis, AL |
| 1991 | First Place Shoulder | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1991 | First Place Shoulder | Castle BBQ Fest, Orlando, FL |
| 1991 | First Place Shoulder | City Fest, Tuscaloosa, AL |
| 1991 | First Place Whole Hog | Castle BBQ Fest, Orlando, FL |
| 1991 | First Place Whole Hog | Christmas on the River, Demopolis, AL |
| 1991 | First Place Whole Hog | City Fest, Tuscaloosa, AL |
| 1991 | Grand Champion | American Royal-Invitational, Kansas City, MO |
| 1991 | Grand Champion | Christmas on the River, Demopolis, AL |
| 1991 | Grand Champion | National Rib Cookoff, Cleveland, OH |
| 1990 | First Place Brisket | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1990 | First Place Shoulder | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1990 | First Place Whole Hog | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 1990 | First Place Wings | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1990 | Grand Champion | National Rib Cookoff, Cleveland, OH |
| 1989 | First Place Lamb | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1989 | The Hickory Switch Award | Best "Que" in Memphis, TN |
| 1987 | First Place Spare Ribs | World's Best Ribs, Richmond, VA |
| 1987 | Grand Champion | World's Best Ribs, Richmond, VA |
| 1984 | First Place Beef | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1984 | First Place Lamb | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1984 | First Place Pork | American Royal, Kansas City, MO |
| 1984 | First Place Ribs | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 1984 | Grand Champion | American Royal-Invitational, Kansas City, MO |
| 1984 | Grand Champion | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 1983 | First Place Ribs | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 1983 | Grand Champion | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
Other Notable Appearances/Recognition
| Year | Award | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Featured on Martynas Starkus' Pasaulio Puodai (Pots of the World) on LRT.LT TV | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 2013 | Featured on Adam Richman's "Fandemonium" | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 2001 | Featured as "Best BBQ in Memphis, TN" | Chili Pepper Magazine |
| 2001 | Featured on Food Nation with Bobby Flay S2 Ep17 - Memphis, TN | New York, NY |
| 2000 | Frito Lay's / Cross Creek Ranch | BBQ & Barn Dance, McKinney, TX |
| 1999 | Featured on Food Network's with Al Roker | New York, NY |
| 1998 | Best Cooker in the World | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 1998 | Featured on "Home Cooking with Amy Coleman" | Vancouver, B.C. |
| 1998 | Featured on NBC Today Show's BBQ Special | New York, NY |
| 1997 | Best Cooker in the World | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 1997 | Featured on "At Home on the Grill" PBS Special | Memphis, TN |
| 1997 | Featured on "Prime Time Live" at Memphis in May | Memphis, TN |
| 1996 | Best Que Offshore | Freeport McMoran Invitational, Gulf of Mexico |
| 1995 | The "Sony's" Best Barbeque in America | Long Island, NY |
| 1995 | The Quinn Award for Bar-B-Que Excellence | Jonesboro, AR |
| 1994 | Best Cooker in the World | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 1993 | Best Cooker in the World | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 1992 | Cook Team of the Year | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
| 1991 | Cook Team of the Year | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN |
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