2026 — From Reps Back to Competition
The World Championship Experience

2026 started with an unforgettable experience:
our first RCOA World Championship in Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA.

We were invited to join the RCOA Reps team, helping coordinate the event and support the judging process.

With 150 teams and around 90 judges, it was an incredible event,
and an invaluable learning experience that we can now bring back to RCOA competitions in Europe.
 

But what impressed us most was the legendary Southern Hospitality.
The warmth and friendliness we experienced in Oklahoma were truly overwhelming.
 

Back in Tielt
 

We organized the Mill’s Country Rib Cookoff for the second time in our hometown of Tielt.

Once again, it was a great success, with happy teams, judges, volunteers and a fantastic crowd.
The event also attracted the attention of VRT, Belgium’s national broadcaster,
who came to film a report about our BBQ journey.
From competitors, to judges, organisers and finally RCOA Representatives.

The broadcast reached an incredible 850,000 viewers.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5TleCLkOiM)
 

Back to Competition!
 

With additional support from a Dutch judging couple,
we were able to take on around six RCOA competitions as Reps during 2026.

This finally gave us the opportunity to compete again ourselves.

In September, we entered an RCOA competition in Someren, The Netherlands.

And apparently, we hadn't forgotten how to do it...
 

🏆 1st Place — Steak

The taste of victory is still sweet!

 

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See you at the RCOA World Championship in 2027! 🔥🏆