Kansas City barbeque judges spent Saturday and Sunday inspecting, sampling and tasting slowly smoked chicken, ribs, pork and brisket at the Jiggy with the Piggy Festival in Kannapolis, N.C.

The annual event attracts barbecue teams from eleven states who compete over a two-day period. Among those competing this year was Gardner’s own, Fergolicious Barbecue, and pitmaster Richard Fergola.

This year, Kannapolis hosted a two-day Masters Series Competition and a Backyard Series Competition. Winners were selected in all categories on both days, in both the masters and backyard series contests.

Judges selected winners based on taste, appearance and tenderness.

During Saturday’s Master Series Competition, Fergolicious took first place in the chicken category as well reserve champion.