THE S.L.A.B.: SCHEELS® National Championship of Barbecue®

Where Education Meets Fire, Food, and the Future

THE S.L.A.B.® (Students Learning About Barbecue) is the premier CTE national championship celebrating education, workforce readiness, and student excellence through live-fire cooking, teamwork, community engagement, and project based learning. Hosted by the National High School BBQ Association and presented in partnership with SCHEELS, this event brings together the nation’s top high school BBQ teams for a four-day experience that blends competition, learning, and pride—on campus and in the community.

More than a contest, THE S.L.A.B.® is a platform for purpose-driven learning. It transforms barbecue into a rigorous, standards-aligned vehicle for Career & Technical Education (CTE), leadership development, and real-world skill building—while igniting school spirit and strengthening local economies.

Why THE S.L.A.B.® Matters

The Future of Education

THE S.L.A.B.® reimagines learning by putting students at the center of authentic, project-based experiences. Teams plan, prepare, execute, and evaluate—mirroring real workplaces and reinforcing academic standards across culinary arts, agriculture, food science, business, marketing, and STEM. Students don’t just learn about careers; they practice them.

Workforce Development—Done Right

Employers seek graduates who can collaborate, communicate, problem-solve, and lead. THE S.L.A.B.® develops these competencies through hands-on challenges that demand accountability and excellence. Students earn micro-credentials, build portfolios, and engage directly with industry partners—creating a clear pathway from classroom to career.

Student Engagement That Sticks

Live-fire learning captivates. It gives students ownership, responsibility, and pride in their craft. By blending competition with mentorship, THE S.L.A.B.® motivates diverse learners, supports multiple learning styles, and keeps students invested—because the work is meaningful and the outcomes are real.

School & Community Pride

THE S.L.A.B.® is a celebration of schools and the communities behind them. Families, educators, local leaders, and sponsors rally around teams, creating a festival atmosphere that showcases student achievement and reinforces civic pride. When students succeed, communities rise with them.

A National Stage with Local Impact

From rural towns to major metros, THE S.L.A.B.® unites states and schools under shared standards, safety, and educational integrity—while preserving local control and culture. It’s a national championship that amplifies local stories, honors educators, and invites partners to invest in the next generation.

Built for Partners. Powered by Students.

With SCHEELS’ commitment to youth, sport, and community, THE S.L.A.B.® delivers a trusted, family-friendly environment where brands, colleges, and employers can connect authentically with future talent. Every activation supports learning outcomes, safety, and student success.

Scholarships & Postsecondary Pathways

One of the most powerful outcomes of THE S.L.A.B.: SCHEELS National Championship of Barbecue® is what happens after the awards are handed out.

Through strategic partnerships with respected culinary and hospitality institutions, THE S.L.A.B.® creates direct, tangible pathways from high school to higher education and careers—turning student passion into opportunity.

Opening Doors to College & Careers

Top-performing students and teams at THE S.L.A.B.® are eligible for scholarship consideration, advanced standing opportunities, and recruitment visibility through NHSBBQA® postsecondary partners. These partnerships validate barbecue and live-fire cooking as legitimate, rigorous entry points into culinary, hospitality, entrepreneurship, and food science careers.

Our Scholarship & Education Partners

Sullivan University
A national leader in career-focused higher education, Sullivan University offers degree pathways in culinary arts, hospitality management, and business. Through THE S.L.A.B.®, students gain early exposure to collegiate expectations, portfolio-driven admissions, and scholarship opportunities that reward hands-on skill, leadership, and professionalism.

Culinary Institute of Le Notre
Rooted in classical technique and modern innovation, the Culinary Institute of Le Notre provides students with access to elite culinary training, mentorship, and scholarship pathways. Le Notre’s partnership reinforces that live-fire cooking and barbecue are not extracurricular hobbies—but respected disciplines within the culinary profession.

Why This Matters

• Students see a future: Scholarships turn competition into possibility

• Schools gain legitimacy: Clear postsecondary pathways strengthen CTE programs

• Industry gains talent: Partners engage students earlier and more authentically

• Families gain confidence: Education leads to opportunity, not just trophies

By connecting competition → credentials → college → career, THE S.L.A.B.® ensures that student success doesn’t end at the awards stage—it continues into classrooms, kitchens, and careers across the country.

American's CTE Food Sport - WHERE DREAMS IGNITE!

COME EAT OUR HOMEWORK!®

Explore the program, meet the teams, and discover how THE S.L.A.B.® is shaping the future—one student, one skill, one community at a time.