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Saturday, 24 April 2027 · a KCBS-sanctioned BBQ competition

Humala BBQ-Master

The legendary Humala Ribimeister (Humala Rib Master) has been held four times. The fifth is an anniversary — and we're doing it big: the competition moves to the international KCBS rules and the results count internationally too.

Four rounds
When Sat, 24 April 2027
Rules KCBS · counts internationally
Categories Chicken · pork ribs · pork · brisket
Where Humala tee 16, Adra village
Put the date in your calendar — the details will follow later. The entry fee, the prize fund and the exact schedule are still being put together. Let us know you're interested and we'll send the information straight to your inbox, among the first.

Humala Ribimeister is Grillitalu's own competition and has been held four times already. The fifth time is a round number, so we're making it properly big: the competition moves to the international KCBS rules and the results count outside Estonia too.

As the competition changes, so does the name. Ribimeister becomes Humala BBQ-Master. The ribs stay, of course — but now all four required KCBS categories stand beside them.

You can count the BBQ competitions held under international rules in Estonia on the fingers of one hand. Now there's one more, and it takes place at Grillitalu.

What gets cooked

Four required rounds

At a KCBS competition you don't pick your categories — you cook all four. Each category has its own turn-in time and every entry goes to the judges' table on its own.

  • Chicken — the first round and often the trickiest. A small piece where the texture of the skin and the juiciness decide a lot.
  • Pork ribs — Humala's home category. The meat has to come off the bone with a clean bite: not dry, but not falling apart either.
  • Pork — pork shoulder, where both the long patient smoke and the way you present the meat count.
  • Brisket — the royal discipline of BBQ and the longest cook. This is where you see who really masters smoke.
What is KCBS

International rules

KCBS, the Kansas City Barbeque Society, is the world's largest BBQ organisation and its rulebook is the international standard. At a KCBS-sanctioned competition everything works the same way — in Kansas City, in Linz or in Adra village.

Judging is blind. A judge never knows whose entry is in front of them: every entry reaches the table in an identical, unmarked box. Six certified judges sit at each table, led by a table captain.

Every entry is scored on three measures — appearance, taste and texture — on a scale of 2–9, where 9 is excellent. In each category the lowest of the six scores is dropped, so one outlier doesn't spoil a whole round.

Judges are certified and trained in a real classroom. That is exactly what we do here the day before the competition.

Two ways to spend the weekend

For competitors and for judges

For teams

For competitors

If you've only competed at home so far, this is your springboard to the international stage — and on home ground.

  • The competition runs under KCBS rules and the results go into the international standings.
  • Four required rounds: chicken, pork ribs, pork and brisket.
  • Certified KCBS judges do the scoring and the judging is blind — only what's in the box counts.
  • Grillitalu accommodation is open from Friday, so you don't have to drive in on the morning of the competition.
  • The entry fee, the prize fund and the exact schedule are still to be confirmed. Tell us you're interested and we'll send you the information among the first.
For new judges

Become a judge

The day before, on Friday, 23 April, we train new KCBS judges at Grillitalu. Take the class on Friday — and on Saturday you're already at the judges' table.

  • Everyone who completes the class receives the KCBS Certified Barbeque Judge (CBJ) certificate.
  • The certificate is valid internationally — with it you can go and judge KCBS competitions anywhere in the world.
  • You don't have to be a professional cook to judge: you need interest, an honest palate and a willingness to follow the rules.
  • The class times, the fee and registration will be confirmed together with the competition details.
See the class
Two events, one weekend. The KCBS judging class on Friday, Humala BBQ-Master on Saturday. Anyone who gets their certificate on Friday can come and judge a real competition on Saturday.
Let us know

Want to take part?

As a competitor or as a judge?

Registration opens together with the details. Leave your contact today and you'll be among the first to know — whether you plan to fire up the grill or take a seat at the judges' table.

Judging class
Grillitalu

How to get here

Humala tee 16, Adra village, Harku parish, 76704 Harju County Waze Google Maps 59.386933, 24.328315