Ken Schneider, BBQ organizer; Jeff Krotke and BJ Walls; and Masayuki Hirako, president of Arvin Sango, Inc., and sponsor of the Indiana State Championship Barbeque Cookoff. Photo provided by organizers.

News Release

MADISON — Jeff Krotke and BJ Walls, of the barbecue competition team Bleacher Bums BBQ, of Akron, were the grand champions at the Madison Ribberfest Indiana State Championship Barbeque Cookoff in Madison.

The team finished 13th in chicken, fifth in ribs, 10th in pork and third in brisket on their way to the championship over 43 teams from six states. 

The Madison Ribberfest is a barbecue and blues festival held on the third weekend of August along the Ohio River.  The BBQ Master Series competition is sanctioned by Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbecue worldwide.