<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1XP0kv_1Ef7r8vN00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1XP0kv_1Ef7r8vN00" width="332" height="500" ><figcaption>The 2026 pitmaster classic concludes at 4pm on Saturday, August 29 th . Those interested in seeing the competition can visit the Kenyon Noble location in Bozeman at 1243 West Oak Street. Michael Teeple NonStop Local Multimedia Journalist</figcaption></figure>Bozeman, Mont. — The ninth annual Pitmaster Classic has returned to the Gallatin Valley for another weekend of barbecue competition, with the 2026 event taking place on Friday and Saturday, August 28th and 29th.The event judges pitmasters in four categories: pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken. For competitor Casey Sivers, the path into competition barbecue began nearly a decade ago."I signed up with another guy, enjoyed it, next thing I know I'm buying a smoker and we're cooking meat," Sivers said. "That started in 2017 so, nine years later, here we are." Sivers explained that his routine within competition barbecue stays steady as he prepares for each category. "So, I get my sauces and everything ready on a Monday night. My injections I make the night before, or the day of," Sivers said. "We can prep all of our meat ahead of time, so we can do all of our trimming, and have it all done, so all I got to do is wait on a meat inspection." The competition's top finisher will be named grandmaster and state champion. That winner also receives an invite to the Kansas City Royal, one of the biggest barbecue contests in the world. For a champion to be crowned, they must receive the highest score in each of the four categories.However, organizers of the pitmaster classic say judging barbecue goes beyond flavor alone. Troy Heusel, assistant retail manager for Kenyon Noble, explained the point system."Appearance is a part of that score, it's actually 30 percent of the score; and then the taste is 50 percent and then rest is the texture," Heusel said. As the contest gets underway in Bozeman, Sivers says he's staying focused on the details of the contest he can control. "I can only control what I can do, and that's cook and put it in the box. If the judges don't like it, that's just the way it is," Sivers said. "I stick to the same program on everything. If it works in one spot, I'll do it again."The 2026 pitmaster classic concludes at 4pm on Saturday, August 29th. Those interested in seeing the competition can visit the Kenyon Noble location in Bozeman at 1243 West Oak Street.</div></body>

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Bozeman, Mont. — The ninth annual Pitmaster Classic has returned to the Gallatin Valley for another weekend of barbecue competition, with the 2026 event taking place on Friday and Saturday, August 28th and 29th. The event judges pitmasters in four categories: pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken. For competitor Casey...

'Every Bite Counts': 2026 Pitmaster Classic opens ninth year of competition

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Bozeman, Mont. — The ninth annual Pitmaster Classic has returned to the Gallatin Valley for another weekend of barbecue competition, with the 2026 event ta

'Every Bite Counts': 2026 Pitmaster Classic opens ninth year of competition

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