Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q pitmaster named National BBQ Hall of Fame finalist 

The American Royal Barbeque Hall of Fame® has named Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q pitmaster Van Sykes one of its ten finalists for the 2024 Hall of Fame class.

The Kansas City-based American Royal Association will choose four finalists from the list of ten to be inducted on May 22nd.  

Founded in 1899, the national organization is dedicated to recognizing, documenting and preserving the heritage of barbecue. The induction ceremony occurs annually during the American Royal World Series of Barbeque® in November.

About Van Sykes + Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q

Van Sykes grew up in Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q restaurant which his parents Bob and Maxine Sykes founded in 1957. At eight years old, he started taking orders and helping out in the kitchen. When he turned 12, he began working the BBQ pits. 

Along with running the highly acclaimed restaurant in Bessemer for decades, Sykes is also a founding member of the Southern Foodways Alliance.

The restaurant has received numerous accolades over the years, including making Alabama Tourism’s “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” list for its barbeque sandwich. The restaurant is also an inductee in the Alabama Barbeque Hall of Fame.

In addition to his culinary excellence, since 2010, Sykes and his family restaurant have supported the Bessemer community hosting the annual Bob Sykes BBQ & BLUES Festival at DeBardeleben Park.

Alabama-connected Hall of Famers

If Sykes is chosen this year to enter the Hall of Fame, he will become the fourth Alabama-connected honoree.

Past inductees include:

• Chris Lily, Big Bob Gibson (Class of 2016)
• John “Big Daddy” Bishop, Dreamland Bar-B-Que (Class of 2019)
• Rodney Scott, Rodney Scott’s BBQ (Class of 2021)

Will Van Sykes receive the call to the BBQ Hall of Fame this year? We are rooting for him! In the meantime, tell us your favorite Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q memory on Instagram by tagging us @bhamnow!