Johnston County BBQ Team Wins Mountain State Fair Cookoff

FLETCHER, N.C. – A Benson barbecue team has taken top honors in the 2026 Got to Be NC Whole Hog Cookoff at the N.C. Mountain State Fair.

Showtime’s Legit BBQ, captained by Kevin Peterson of Benson, won first place and the $2,000 grand prize in the competition held in Fletcher.

Grate Sauces & Rubs of Goldsboro, captained by Ralph LeGrand, finished second and received $1,500. Killing Time Grilling Crew of Clinton, captained by Tim Walters, placed third and received $1,000.

For Peterson, the competition was about more than the prize money.

“It’s a beautiful atmosphere for this competition here at the Mountain State Fair and to be allowed to be part of this competition that gives back to the local FFA is just awesome,” Peterson said. “I do want to give a special shout out to the sponsors, judges and event coordinators who worked so hard. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible.”

The Got to Be NC Whole Hog Cookoff celebrates North Carolina barbecue while connecting hog farmers, pitmasters and agricultural organizations.

The barbecue prepared during the competition will also benefit students.

Meat from the cookoff was donated to the Pisgah and Tuscola high school FFA chapters, which will sell the barbecue to help raise money to send students to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this October.

The event is designed to highlight North Carolina agriculture from hog farmers and barbecue teams to FFA students preparing for careers in agriculture.