Since it's beginnings the PNWBA has been putting on BBQ contests from as far north as Whistler, British Columbia and south to Oregon and east to Calgary, Alberta. Included among these events are several state and provincial championships. The winners/grand champions of these BBQ contests are qualify to be invited to cook at national and world championship events. Among these are the American Royal, the Jack Daniels World Championship Barbecue Contest and Memphis in May. At these contests our cooks have gone head to head and grill to grill with the world best cooks and brought home the gold. The ranks of the PNWBA include the finest cooks in the world bar none. These events have been widely attended by the public in the upwards of 20,000 people. Also it has raised money for charitable events and good causes all around the Northwest.

Each year the Association hosts BBQ cooking and competition judging classes to educate the public and pass on the culinary art of barbecue cooking. Some of the teachers of these classes include BBQ Guru's Smoky Hale, Paul Kirk the Kansas City Baron of BBQ, Ray Lampe AKA Dr. BBQ, Myron Mixon of Jack's old South fame, Tony Stone and Merle Ellis. For more than ten years Paul Kirk has given his world famous pit master class. This class covers the cooking of chicken, rib, beef brisket and pork butt as well as BBQ theory. Graduates of the baron's class have gone on to be national and world champs or just darn good backyard BBQ chefs.

As the PNWBA has evolved and grown so has the world of competition BBQ. It is now seen on national TV, in news papers, magazines and many cook books. It is championed by BBQ evangelists like Rick Browne and Steve Raichlen. Contests are growing into huge multimedia events with the prize money up to $20,000. The Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association is also rising to the challenge by putting on bigger and better public friendly events with the focus being on the cooks (the back bone of the association). The future is now, so let's cook!!!