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. 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.
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 | Location |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | First Place Seafood Rub | National Barbecue & Grilling Association - Awards of Excellence | Orlando, FL |
2021 | First Place Brisket (perfect 180 score!) | BBQ Boogie & Blues | Calhoun, GA |
2017 | People's Choice | Sip & Swine BBQ Festival | Lawerenceville, 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 | The American Royal | Kansas City, MO |
1999 | Grand Champion | Mississippi State BBQ | Ashland, MS |
1999 | Grand Champion | Best Ribs The Memphis Flyer | Memphis, TN |
1998 | First Place Ribs | Primm Valley BBQ Championship | Primm Valley, NY |
1998 | First Place Whole Hog | The Jack Daniel's Invitational | Lynchberg, TN |
1998 | Grand Champion | Mississippi State BBQ | Ashland, MS |
1998 | Grand Champion | Blue Ridge BBQ Championship | Tryon, NC |
1998 | Grand Champion | Primm Valley BBQ Championship | Primm Valley, NY |
1997 | Grand Champion | Mississippi State BBQ | Ashland, MS |
1997 | People's Choice | Smithsonian July 4th BBQ Invitational | Washington, D.C. |
1996 | Best Sauce | Arkansas BBQ Championship, Batesville, AR | Batesville, AR |
1996 | First Place Ribs | St Jude - VFW BBQ Festival | Memphis, TN |
1996 | Grand Champion | St Jude - VFW BBQ Festival | Memphis, TN |
1996 | People's Choice | Memphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking Contest | Memphis, TN |
1995 | First Place Cajun Hot Sauce | The American Royal | Kansas City, MO |
1995 | First Place Hot Sauce | The American Royal | Kansas City, MO |
1995 | First Place Mild Vinegar Sauce | The American Royal | Kansas City, MO |
1995 | First Place Beef | Anything But Pork BBQ Contest | Southhaven, MS |
1995 | First Place Seafood Pasta | Anything But Pork BBQ Contest | Southhaven, MS |
1995 | Grand Champion | Anything But Pork BBQ Contest | Southhaven, MS |
1994 | First Place Brisket | Massachusetts State Championship | Lexington, MA |
1994 | First Place Chicken | Massachusetts State Championship | Lexington, MA |
1994 | People's Choice - Ribs | Massachusetts State Championship | Lexington, MA |
1994 | Grand Champion | Massachusetts State Championship | Lexington, MA |
1994 | First Place Shoulder | Blue Ridge BBQ Championship | Tryon, NC |
1994 | Grand Champion | Blue Ridge BBQ Championship | Tryon, NC |
1994 | First Place Brisket | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1994 | First Place Ribs | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1994 | World Grand Champion | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1993 | Grand Champion Chicken | American Pitmasters BBQ | Boston, MA |
1993 | First Place Hot Seasoning | The American Royal | Kansas City, MO |
1993 | First Place Pork | Jumer's Casino BBQ | Rock Island, IL |
1993 | First Place Brisket | Jumer's Casino BBQ | Rock Island, IL |
1993 | First Place Pork | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1993 | First Place Brisket | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1993 | First Place Ribs | Pig and Pepper Championship | Carlisle, MA |
1993 | First Place Pork | Pig and Pepper Championship | Carlisle, MA |
1992 | First Place Ribs | St Jude - VFW BBQ Festival | Memphis, TN |
1992 | First Place "Skinners Pasta" | Memphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking Contest | Memphis, TN |
1992 | First Place Anything But Pork | Memphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking Contest | Memphis, TN |
1992 | First Place Ribs | Star Tribune's Peoples Choice | Minneapolis, MN |
1992 | Grand Champion | Star Tribune's Peoples Choice | Minneapolis, MN |
1992 | First Place Ribs | People's Choice BBQ Festival | Norfolk, VA |
1992 | Grand Champion | People's Choice BBQ Festival | Norfolk, VA |
1992 | First Place Poultry | Great Yankee BBQ | Boston, MA |
1992 | First Place Ribs | Great Yankee BBQ | Boston, MA |
1992 | First Place Shoulder | Great Yankee BBQ | Boston, MA |
1992 | Grand Champion | Great Yankee BBQ | Boston, MA |
1992 | People's Choice | Great Yankee BBQ | Boston, MA |
1992 | First Place Brisket | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1992 | First Place Lamb | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1992 | Best Sauce on the Planet | The American Royal | Kansas City, MO |
1992 | World Reserve Grand Champion | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1991 | First Place Whole Hog | Arkansas State Championship | Blythville, AR |
1991 | First Place Brisket | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1991 | First Place Shoulder | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1991 | World Grand Champion | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1991 | First Place Whole Hog | Arkansas State Championship | Blythville, AR |
1991 | First Place Whole Hog | Covington Jaycee BBQ | Covington, TN |
1991 | First Place Ribs | Covington Jaycee BBQ | Covington, TN |
1991 | First Place Whole Hog | City Fest | Tuscaloosa, AL |
1991 | First Place Shoulder | City Fest | Tuscaloosa, AL |
1991 | First Place Whole Hog | Christmas on the River | Demoposis, AL |
1991 | First Place Ribs | Christmas on the River | Demoposis, AL |
1991 | Grand Champion | Christmas on the River | Demoposis, AL |
1991 | First Place Brisket | Pine Castle BBQ Festival | Orlando, FL |
1991 | First Place Shoulder | Pine Castle BBQ Festival | Orlando, FL |
1991 | First Place Whole Hog | Pine Castle BBQ Festival | Orlando, FL |
1991 | First Place Ribs | National Rib Cookoff | Cleveland, OH |
1991 | Grand Champion | National Rib Cookoff | Cleveland, OH |
1990 | First Place Whole Hog | Memphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking Contest | Memphis, TN |
1990 | First Place Brisket | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1990 | First Place Shoulder | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1990 | First Place Wings | The American Royal | Kansas City, MO |
1990 | First Place Ribs | National Rib Cookoff | Cleveland, OH |
1990 | Grand Champion | National Rib Cookoff | Cleveland, OH |
1989 | First Place Ribs | Iowa State Fair | Des Moines, IA |
1989 | First Place Beef | Iowa State Fair | Des Moines, IA |
1989 | First Place Ribs | Mississippi Valley BBQ Festival | Davenport, IA |
1989 | First Place Beef | Mississippi Valley BBQ Festival | Davenport, IA |
1989 | First Place Lamb | American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1987 | First Place Spare Ribs | World's Best Ribs | Richmond, VA |
1987 | Grand Champion | World's Best Ribs | Richmond, VA |
1986 | First Place Brisket | South Fork Ranch BBQ | Dallas, TX |
1986 | First Place Chicken | South Fork Ranch BBQ | Dallas, TX |
1986 | First Place Ribs | South Fork Ranch BBQ | Dallas, TX |
1986 | Grand Champion | South Fork Ranch BBQ | Dallas, TX |
1984 | First Place Beef | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1984 | First Place Lamb | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1984 | First Place Pork | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1984 | World Grand Champion | The American Royal Invitational | Kansas City, MO |
1984 | First Place Ribs | Memphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking Contest | Memphis, TN |
1984 | World Grand Champion | Memphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking Contest | Memphis, TN |
1983 | First Place Ribs | Memphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking Contest | Memphis, TN |
1983 | World Grand Champion | Memphis in May World Champion BBQ Cooking Contest | Memphis, TN |
Other Notable Apperances/Recognition
Year | Award | Event | Link |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | Featured on Martynas Starkus' Pasaulio Puodai (Pots of the World) on LRT.LT TV | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN | Click To View |
2013 | Featured on Adam Richman's "Fandemonium" | Memphis In May, Memphis, TN | Click To View |
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 |