Riverbend Ranch Helps the Next Generation of Grillers Fire Up Their Skills
Small hands, big burgers and plenty of imagination were on display at the Smoke-N-Wings Kids-Q competition.
Riverbend Ranch sponsored both divisions of the Smoke-N-Wings Kids-Q competition in June 2026 by providing the high-quality ground beef used by the young competitors. The donation gave each child the same starting point and plenty of room to use their imagination, test new flavors and enjoy a little friendly competition.
Riverbend Ranch, a division of Melaleuca founded by Frank and Belinda VanderSloot, has spent more than 30 years raising premium Black Angus cattle with an emphasis on quality, responsible care and American ranching traditions. The Kids-Q took place alongside a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned professional competition that drew teams from across the United States and Canada, giving the children an up-close look at the world of competitive barbecue.
Each young griller started with the same key ingredient: Riverbend Ranch ground beef. What happened next was entirely their own.
With a parent or family member nearby to help when needed, the children shaped patties, mixed seasonings and planned burgers that reflected their individual tastes. The competition’s flexible, age-appropriate rules allowed the young cooks to learn by doing while still keeping the experience safe, encouraging and fun.
A Recipe for Family Fun
The Kids-Q competition is designed to help children build confidence in the kitchen and create lasting memories with their families. Adults can offer guidance, but the children are encouraged to do as much of the preparation and cooking as their ages and abilities allow.
Riverbend Ranch beef was a natural fit.
Ground beef gave the competitors a familiar and versatile starting point. It was simple enough for a first-time cook to handle, but it also left plenty of room for more experienced young grillers to experiment with toppings, seasonings and presentation.
The finished burgers were judged on appearance, taste and tenderness. The young competitors took the assignment seriously, carefully preparing their entries before presenting them to the judges.
A $300 top prize in each age division added a little extra excitement to the friendly competition.
Small Grillers, Big Creativity
While older children also participated, some of the day’s most memorable moments came from the youngest division, featuring competitors ages 5 to 10.
The results showed that Riverbend Ranch beef was in capable hands.
Ten-year-old Ruby Stites earned first place with an avocado burger that received top marks from the judges. Her winning creation combined creativity, careful preparation and a distinctive flavor combination.
Other young cooks arrived with experience of their own.
Eight-year-old Heinrich was competing in the Kids-Q for the fifth time. After earning second- and third-place finishes in previous years, he was excited to return to the grill.
“My favorite part is seeing who wins and loses,” he said.
For nine-year-old Mariano, barbecue is a family tradition.
“I did it last year,” he said. “My grandma and grandpa are with me today and they taught me how to BBQ.”
His experience captured what made the day special: children learning new skills, families spending time together and traditions being passed from one generation to the next.
Supporting the Next Generation
Riverbend Ranch was proud to sponsor both divisions by providing the beef for an event that encouraged children to build confidence, learn useful skills and create memories with their families.
The competition may have produced winners, trophies and some impressive burgers, but its greatest success was helping young people discover the satisfaction that comes from creating something themselves.
For one afternoon, the next generation of grillers took center stage, serving up creativity, confidence and plenty of smiles along the way.
