Farming couple celebrate BBQ win

The pair are the first international team to win the BBQ event

A Kent couple are celebrating after beating the Americans at their own game to become world barbecue champions.

Jackie and Rick Weight, from Maidstone, beat off competition from more than 60 other teams to become the first international side to take the title.

They competed at the World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Tennessee under the name of Mad Cows BBQ.

They were awarded a total of $3,500 (£1,900) in prize money and two trophies at the event held last month.

This is the 16th year of the competition and we are the first international team to win it Jackie Weight

The couple run a smoked foods and preserves business at their cattle farm, under the name Maid of Kent.

To win, they had to cook and present set meats including brisket, pork shoulder, chicken and pork ribs.

They also produced a smoked six-rib of prime beef and a traditional English trifle as an example of "home cooking".

Jackie Weight said they were thrilled at winning the competition, after coming 36th out of 64 entrants last year.

Prize-winning cattle

"This is the 16th year of the competition and we are the first international team to win it.

"We couldn't believe it," she said.

Up until last year, the couple had run a herd of around 200 pedigree French Limousin cattle and pedigree Sussex cattle.

However, they said they were forced to diversify into American style barbecue cooking and spit-roasting, smoked meats, chutneys and pickles because there was no money in farming.

They still have 50 pedigree cattle and this year won the title of Best Small Herd in the South East with the Limousin Cattle Club.