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There might not be more of a Rocky Balboa story in the history of competition BBQ than Charles Winslow-Bey. From adversity with vehicles six months ago that left his season in doubt to winning the world's largest BBQ contest last weekend, the 46th annual American Royal World Series of BBQ Open, Charles and his wife April are an inspiration to all who dare to dream big. On Episode 376 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, the story of Smokey Bey's BBQ is one of the best we've told in seven seasons of doing the podcast. We hope you will check it out. We also take our monthly trip to The Grill Guys of Missouri for the latest from the Republic, Mo., store where you can find just about anything under the sun to make your open-fire cooking game better. Co-owners Charlie Wallace and Skyler Spartan preview what's ahead this month, including a holiday meats class sure to help you impress on the big holidays. Meanwhile, co-host Lyndal Scranton reviews his trip to the American Royal in a judging capacity and Steve Koehler continues to capitalize on the beautiful fall weather to cook on his deck. Find out what's coming next. Check out the show on the link below or on your favorite #podcast platform.  A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq  Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great rest of your BBQ week and, as always … #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

Episode 375 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast is focused of the 46th annual American Royal World Series of BBQ, where we're headed later this week to judge after five years of on the competition side. We visit with not only a first-time American Royal team, but a foursome that has barely cooked competition at all. That's Sasquatch Smoke N Que out of Kansas City, a group of military veterans who met while playing hockey for disabled vets and have taken that friendship to BBQ. Johnny Neal and Jeff Schmidt of Sasquatch Smoke N Que discuss how the camaraderie and friendships are a bigger piece of the puzzle than the scoresheets at this point and what cooking at The Royal means to them. We also have an encore segment with Kayci Vincent, manager of the American Royal BBQ about the move to a new venue on the American Royal Association campus and what teams and a limited (for this year) spectator base can expect. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve talk about their cooking adventures to open the show - including Steve's seafood selections - and wrap things up with a quick tour of the sports world, focusing on the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs.  Check out the show on the link below or on your favorite #podcast platform.  A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq  Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great rest of your BBQ week and, as always … #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

Kelly Wertz is one of the legends of competition BBQ, winning more than 40 KCBS Grand Championships during a 20-year career - including the American Royal World Series of BBQ and the Jack Daniel World BBQ Invitational. On Episode 374 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we catch up with Kelly about why he chose to call it a career. He's staying plenty busy, with steady catering gigs and a growing 4 Legs Up product line of spice rubs and injections. Kelly has some good info to share and we appreciate his time. As the 46th American Royal approaches, we also visit with Kevin Heese of Weekend Bum BBQ. Kevin is an international ambassador for the visiting teams and he tells us what that involves along with his expectations for the new site at the American Royal complex. We always like to chat with a first-time Royal team and Shawn Campbell of High on the Hog BBQ fills that bill this year, discussing his preparation for the world largest competition. High on the Hog hasn't been competing for long, but the team has quickly become used to finishing at or near the top and might be a team to watch at the 370-team Royal. Check out the show on the link below or on your favorite #podcast platform.  A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq  Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great rest of your BBQ week and, as always … #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

Episode 373 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast is a preview of the 46th American Royal World Series of BBQ. It's a new venue after a decade at Kansas Speedway and Kayci Vincent, BBQ Manager of the American Royal, tells us that while it's a scaled-down version as construction continues on the new site, teams will probably think it's more like a regular BBQ event. Spectator access will be limited to Friday-night parties with none of the usual events on Saturday such as bands and public wandering the grounds to take in the sights and sounds. Joel Fleetwood of Meat Rushmore BBQ also joins us to talk American Royal with his thoughts on the new location and what he's looking for. Meat Rushmore's time in the BBQ Experience restaurant at Kansas City International Airport is coming to a close in early 2027. Joel reviews the experience, looks ahead to future catering operations and discusses to-go food orders now can be taken on outgoing flights, either ready-to-eat on the plane or vacuum-sealed for later.  Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve their cooking weeks, including the Tailgate Guys BBQ team's competition return last weekend at Meat Inferno in Edgerton, Kansas.  A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq  Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great rest of your BBQ week and, as always … #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

We enjoy talking to the biggest names in BBQ - and also shine some light on the up-and-comers. This week we go "Under the Radar" on Episode 372 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast to visit with a fast learner from Ohio, Chris Reed of Team Cookie BBQ. Along with having a unique team name, Chris knows his stuff on the smoker. In just 16 career KCBS Masters Series attempts, he's had seven overall top 10s, including his first Grand Championship last month at the Saxonburg BBQ Smokeout in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania. Chris fills us in on how it's come together so quickly.  Richard Fergola also joins us for his quarterly visit about the latest happenings with Fergolicious BBQ and Richard Fergola BBQ line of products. "Fergie" has enjoyed a busy summer of spreading the good word of Q across the land with four new products now available. Now he's getting ready for the American Royal World Series of BBQ at the new American Royal complex and we get his thoughts on that. Ever had a raccoon scrounging around your smoker or grill? Co-host Steve Koehler has and he warns everyone to clean and cover your cooking equipment. Meanwhile, co-host Lyndal Scranton previews the competition side of the team's preparation for this weekend's Smoke Inferno in Edgerton, Kansas.  A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq  Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great rest of your BBQ week and, as always … #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

On Episode 371 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, hear the story of Charles Winslow-Bey and Smokey Bey's Barbecue. It's been a rocket ride for a team that was introduced to competition cooking just 3 1/2 years ago, going from a free class offered by Josh and Ashton of OG Bandits to multiple 700s and top-10 KCBS finishes in a short time. The biggest of all came a couple of weeks ago when Smokey Bey's earned Grand Championship honors at the Made for KC BBQ Championship, earning $10,000 and naming rights in the BBQ Experience restaurant inside Terminal B of Kansas City International Airport. Charles talks about how it's happened and what's ahead for he and wife April. We also check in with Charlie Wallace and Skylar Spartan, the Grill Guys of Missouri, as they review a big 5th anniversary celebration. Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve talk about their cooking weeks and what's next on the smoker while also touching on the latest from the sports world. A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq  Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great rest of your BBQ week and, as always … #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

Dirk Mullins and Jody Harris had been involved in competition cooking in various organizations for more than 20 years, walking the stage at The American Royal World Series of BBQ and Memphis in May among other big events. But looking to fill a void in December of 2023, they announced plans to launch the Rib Cookoff Association via social media. Just a couple of hours later, Dirk had received so many calls he had to turn his phone off. On Episode 370 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Dirk and Jody take the story from there to now, as the RCOA continues to make its mark among cooks of all skill levels. We also check in with Aaron Huentelman from show partner Mister Brisket about some exciting news from the 52-year meat source in Ohio. Aaron previews a busy fall, with Mister Brisket ready to deliver competition boxes to competitors at both the American Royal and Jack Daniels World BBQ Invitational. Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve talk about their cooking weeks and what's next on the smoker while also touching on the latest from the sports world. A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq  Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great rest of your BBQ week and, as always … #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

Tina Cannon is one of the most-respected names in open-fire cooking, with numerous competition awards to her credit along with an array of television shows on various outlets. The classically trained chef joins us on Episode 369 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast to discuss her career, a website TinaCannonCooks.com full of helpful cooking info and a preview of her appearance at The Grill Guys of Missouri on Aug. 29. Tina's first appearance on how our show is a fun conversation that we hope you enjoy.  Our second guest this week has been on the show multiple times and always brings the heat - just as his Janky Leg BBQ team cranks it up when the summer temps rise. Jordan Kirkpatrick takes us inside the 2026 season, which finds Janky Leg back atop the KCBS Team of the Year standings after two Grand Championships in two weeks. Ever wonder about the mental part of competition BBQ? It's real and Jordan breaks it down. Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve talk about their cooking weeks and what's next on the smoker while also touching on the latest from the sports world. A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq  Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great rest of your BBQ week and, as always … #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

We dive into the world of steak cooking on Episode 368 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast with a couple of big winner at last weekend's Hornersville Watermelon Festival in southeast Missouri. First up is Dan Wright of Take it Easy BBQ from St. Louis. While he's won big in KCBS and the Rib Cookoff Association, Dan came up big in SCA entry by earning a rare triple golden ticket (steak, ribs and beans) into next spring's SCA Worlds in Pensacola, Fla. John Lindsey is one of the top SCA cooks in the organization's history, with dozens of grand championships and his outstanding All-Qued Up product line of rubs and sauces. Admittedly burned out from years on the circuit, John hadn't cooked an SCA comp in more than three years, but clearly hasn't lost his touch by winning the combined (three steaks) score in Hornersville. John also gives his thoughts on the bring-your-own-steak option from that contest and how it could be the future of SCA. Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve talk about cooking in the heat over the last week and preview the week ahead in BBQ and sports. A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq  Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great rest of your BBQ week and, as always … #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

The current KCBS Team of the Year leader is not as well known as those giving close chase. On Episode 367 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Brian Kennish of B's Que Crew from Richmond, Va., via Philadelphia, tells us about his family team's long-time love of cooking and competition and why it's picked up the pace the last couple of years to become a national contender.  We also take a trip to Republic, Mo., for our August check-in with Charlie Wallace and Skyler Spartan of The Grill Guys of Missouri. Lots of great specials can be found as The Grill Guys marches toward its 5-year- anniversary on Aug. 29 when renowned open-fire cook Tina Cannon will be on hand for a class on The Big Green Egg.  Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve talk about their cooking adventures in the last week and preview the week ahead in BBQ and sports. Football is coming closer each week, like the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq  Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great rest of your BBQ week and, as always … #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

One of our favorite BBQ people returns to the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast to make Episode 366 a dandy. It's Bill Purvis from Chicken Fried BBQ out of Magnolia, Texas. Bill highlights his exciting weekend in Rhode Island where he pulled off BBQ's version of a buzzer-beater by winning the Grand Championship along with Rhode Island's auto bid into the Jack Daniel World BBQ Invitational. Along with becoming a competition force, Chicken Fried also has become one of the powerhouse lineup of products on the market and we discuss how to use some of those products and when does one know it's the right time to change recipes or stay the course. We also check in with our resident Kansas City guru of all things soccer and BBQ for a World Cup review. Joel Fleetwood and his entire Meat Rushmore BBQ was hopping for nearly six weeks feeding many foreign visitors to Kansas City while soaking in as much of the soccer fun as they had time for. We also discuss Meat Rushmore's Pork Wrap, a big key in our recent first-place and eighth-place Ribs at Smokin' on the Osage. Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve talk about their cooking adventures in the last week and preview what's ahead - notably football training camps are opening which is a sign of autumn.  A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq  Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great rest of your BBQ week and, as always … #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

On Episode 365 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we visit with two of last weekend's big winners on the competition circuit. First up is Brad Bess of Rowdy Pig BBQ, who enjoyed a spectacular doubleheader at Smokin' on the Osage in Osceola, Missouri. He scored 707.3944 both days - a remarkable feat that earned him Grand Championship honors on Day 1 and RGC on Day 2 to Bad Dog BBQ. Brad, from Bonne Terre, Mo., tells us a bit about his start in competition cooking and who's helped him along the way. Then we head to central Iowa to learn more about Jeff Wilkerson, postmaster of Smokey D's Wannabees, grand champion at the Shenandoah Shen-Dig in Shenandoah, Iowa. As you might have guessed by the team name, the Wannabees is a tribute to the Hall of Famer Darren Warth of Iowa Smokey D's BBQ. Meanwhile, the co-hosts break down their week, including the first competition since April. It was a productive weekend and a good time at Smokin' on the Osage where Tailgate Guys BBQ walked away with plaques for 8th-place ribs on Day 1 and a thrilling 1st-place ribs call on Day 2.  A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq  Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great rest of your BBQ week and, as always … #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

We've seen countless top-notch competition BBQ teams leave the sport over the last several years, but on Episode 364 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast we tell you about one who's coming back after an extended break. Sanj Kirubakaran of Thump and Strum BBQ blazed to four Grand Championships and five RGCs from 2013-19 and, after feeling burned out, Sanj took time away. Now he is back with a renewed enthusiasm. We get the details from Sanj with his thoughts on the state of today's comp world. We also welcome the new owners of long-time show supporter The Butcher Shoppe in Pensacola, Stelio and Cristen Peterson. We talk to them about their culinary background, including a Greek catering business, and how they view the competition world fitting into The Butcher Shoppe. Good news - the great A9s are not going anywhere.  Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their cooking adventures and discuss a few sports topics.   A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week!  #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

Episode 363 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ podcast takes us to Las Vegas where we go "Under the Radar" with the up-and-coming competition team Big Juicy BBQ. Thomas and Michelle Bolling have found a passion for open-fire cooking and, less than two years after their first contest, they've been hitting their marks and taking consistent top-10 walks.  With a scheduling conflict leaving an open segment, we have an encore presentation of one of our top guests of 2025. Steven Raichlen, a BBQ Hall of Famer who's a renowned award-winning author and television host, was one Episode 303 as his new book "Project Griddle" was making its debut.   Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their July 4th weekend cooking adventures and discuss a few sports topics as we head into mid-summer.   A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great week!  #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

We're always looking for up-and-coming BBQ teams and this week on our "Under the Radar" segment we go to Kansas City. Episode 362 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast tells the story of Bald Beauties BBQ. Teammates Michael Bridges and Brian Studdard are making big strides on the circuit while also representing one of Kansas City's oldest BBQ restaurants, Sneads. Bridges does the comp cooking while also helping with some flavor profiles for Sneads, where long-time restaurant owner Studdard leads the way.  It's also ticket for our monthly check-in with the Grill Guys of Missouri, who have plenty of hot deals for backyard grillers to check out at their Republic, Mo., location. Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve preview what's ahead on their cooking schedule on the 4th of July weekend while also discussing some sports headlines.   A big thanks to our show sponsors and marketing partners. Please support them: Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #charcoalofchampions  The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  The Grill Guys of Missouri #grillguys417 Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrewbbq  Meat Rushmore BBQ #meatrushmorebbq Lovely Jubbly BBQ #lovelyjubblybbq  Mister Brisket #thighlife Have a great 4th of July weekend! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm