05/27/2026
We are finally home and dried out from a roller coaster of a weekend in Lebanon Tennessee at the 8th annual KCBS World Invitational. The weekend started out with us having to move sites after a sudden rainstorm(that never seemed to stop) flooded out our cook site. We got settled into our new location and started prepping for the world chicken and rib finals on Friday. We finished a respectable 21st place in chicken which I was happy with in that stout field of teams. After awards, Uncle Dubby's Backyard BBQ and I started prepping to cook in the Wells Cup the next day. We thought that Leaning Dubby turned in some excellent food, but the judges did not agree. No matter how it turned out, I had a blast cooking with my BBQ Brother Eric Dub King and can’t wait to do it again!
Finally the big day had arrived. 47 incredible backyard teams came to battle it out until a new world champion had been crowned. I turned in what I thought was my best meat of the year so I went to awards cautiously optimistic. When the smoke cleared, we had done it! Leaning Jowler Competition BBQ Team is your new Kansas City Barbeque Society Backyard World Champions!
Teams: 47
chicken: 1st with a PERFECT PERFECT 180!
Ribs: 4th. Prairie Fresh
Overall: 1st place Grand/World Champions!
I still don’t think it has fully set in, but I could not be more proud of what we were able to accomplish! Huge congrats to Puddleduck BBQ for the RGC!
BBQ is most definitely a team sport, and I’m so grateful to have such an amazing support system that helped make this possible. I want to thank my parents Don Yagel and Theresa, my sons Cooper and Hudson, Jake Flook and Lisa, Dubby and Carrie, and the many others who made this weekend possible.
Most of all I want to thank the backbone of the team Sara Baier. She has supported me(reluctantly at times😂) through my journey into competition bbq and I can never thank her enough. I love you so much and am so happy that you were by my side so that we could be crowned world champions together!
Thank you so much to my sponsors! Without your continued support events like this would not be possible and I am truly grateful.
Storm & Park
Springer Mountain Farms
Country Valley Meats
UTZ works
Wolf Run Veterinary Clinic
I also want to shout out a few companies whose products play a key part in our success.
Bear Mountain BBQ
Fire Dancer BBQ
Kosmo's Q Competition BBQ Products
Blues Hog
Head Country
LC BBQ
We are now off until June 12th-14th when we will go to Delta PA for the York County BBQ Festival. We hope to see you there!