Burkhart and Aaron Salem, who make up the Smokeaholics team from Hays, traveled four hours to compete June 11 in the final day of the two-day event.

The duo won a competition the day before in Hays and then won the overall championship in Tonganoxie.

The Smoekaholics’ score 702.82 was the best among the 29-team competition that took place just east of the Tonganoxie City Fire Station.

Winners were announced inside the station June 11.

Burkhart said it was gratifying to win at home and then make the long trek to Tonganoxie and win a second championship.

He said the barbecue competitions are a hobby, though it of course gets competitive.

He’s also traveled for competitions in states such as California, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi.

“Good barbecue is good barbecue,” he said.

The overall score is a cumulative of four categories: chicken, pork ribs, pork and brisket.

Following Smokeaholics in the top 10 overall were Burnt at Both Endz from Kearney, Mo., (697.68), Porky Butts BBQ from Valley, Neb., (697.17), Chop Quey from Kansas City, Mo., (687.98), 913 BBQ from Olathe (687.92), Dirt Road BBQ from KCMO (687.47), Slaughterhouse BBQ from De Soto, (685.69), Jaestar BBQ from Smithville, Mo., (685.06), Caveman Cuisine (684.51) and Boxer Q BBQ from Topeka, (681.18).

A perfect score in barbecue contests is a 180 and Porky Butts BBQ hit that number in the pork competition. Smokeahlics was second (178.86), Chop Quey third (176), Dirt Road BBQ fourth (174.32) and Boxer Q BBQ fifth (172.56).

Chicken winners were Lazy Bacon BBQ (178.3), Porky Butts BBQ (176.59), 777 BBQ (176.58), Smokeaholics (176.56) and Sublime BBQ (176.56).

In the pork ribs category, Slaughterhouse Five had the top distinction with a score of 177.18. Rounding out the top 5 were 913 BBQ (176.56), Jaestar BBQ (175.4), This Is How We Que It from Kansas City, Mo., (173.71) and Smokeaholics (173.7).

Finally, in the brisket competition, Burnt at Both Endz won top billing with a 177.71 score. Porky Butts again placed second (174.32), Three Brothers Different Mothers from Kearney, Mo., third (174.26), Smokeaholics fourth (173.7) and 777 BBQ fifth (173.12).

Tonganoxie teams Ain’t Jo Mama’s BBQ, Hobbit Ranch, Rock’s Famous BBQa nd the SmokETeersall competed, as did Basehor team Wildhouse BBQ.