Known As: Craig Tabor
Age: 41
Region: Atlanta, GA
Signature Dish: Paella - See the recipe
Years of Grilling: 20 years
Grill of choice: Anything with live fire!
Biggest Inspiration: My biggest inspiration has got to be the Godfather of the Grill, Chef Ted Reader. This guy can cook anything with live fire which has been my approach
Equipment you can't live without: My absolute favorite, multi use tool is a fish spatula. It can flip, cut & whisk
Known As: Backyard Grillmaster
Age: 43
Region: Springfield, MO. The Ozarks
Signature Dish: Bourbon Glazed T-Bone - See the recipe
Years of Grilling: 20 years
Grill of choice: The kamado is my grill of choice because of the versatility.
Biggest Inspiration: My biggest inspiration comes from my friends online and the Food Network.
Equipment you can't live without: I can't live without is my Thermapen MK4
Known As: Grilling with Dad
Age: 38
Region: Libertyville, IL
Signature Dish: BBQ Ribs - See the recipe
Years of Grilling: 15 years
Grill of choice: Big Green Egg
Biggest Inspiration: My Mom is my biggest inspiration. She ignited my passion for cooking and has always been supportive of everything that I do.
Equipment you can't live without: My thermaworks thermapen. It’s indispensable when cooking and grilling.
Known As: Certified
Age: 38
Region: Illinois
Signature Dish: Arrachera/Skirt Steak Tacos
Years of Grilling: 3 years
Grill of choice: Char-griller Grills Smokin’ Champ 1624. *My Charcoal of choice is using a combination of FOGO Charcoal Eucalyptus & Premium Lump Charcoal blends
Biggest Inspiration: Sharing my bbq journey and recipes I create along the way. Started BBQ’n 3 years ago in my backyard because I wanted to learn how to make smoked ribs
Equipment you can't live without: Char-griller Grill Grate lifer. This metal device is meant to move your grill grates easy but I also use it for moving and organizing my FOGO Charcoal around in my pit.
Known As: Grill Momma
Age: 43
Region: Vestal, NY
Signature Dish: On the works - See the recipe
Years of Grilling: 35 years
Grill of choice: Picking a grill of choice is like picking your favorite child. If I could only have one it would be my Big Green Egg because of its versatility
Biggest Inspiration: My biggest inspiration for cooking is definitely my Mother. She never cooked with recipes and I loved to help her cook from a very young age. I think that is why it is challenging for me to write recipes sometimes because I never measure ingredients when I’m cooking for my family either. My mother certainly wasn’t an elaborate cook, but it was never intimidating for me cooking with her.
Equipment you can't live without: One tool I truly appreciate when grilling is a great instant read thermometer. My favorite, A Thermapen MK4. However, I absolutely love to cook on cast iron and own a large number of pieces.
Known As: Freedom
Age: 39
Region: Murphys, CA
Signature Dish: Pig Shots - See the recipe
Years of Grilling: 20 years
Grill of choice: My grill of choice is any grill that gets me outdoors burning charcoal. At home I primarily use my line of Primo Ceramic Grills.
Biggest Inspiration: My family is my biggest inspiration closely followed by my loyal followers. I use barbecue to deal with some of the stresses of being a first responder. It's a way to get me outdoors and something I can share with my family. My social media followers are constantly raising the bar and keep me motivated.
Equipment you can't live without: My thermowoks thermapen is the one BBQ device I can't live without and its always within arms reach of my grills.
Known As: Captain Ron
Age: 50
Region: Coral Springs, FL
Signature Dish: Steaks and Pork
Years of Grilling: 5 years
Grill of choice: Big Green Eggs #BGETeamGreen
Biggest Inspiration: I’d have to say my biggest inspiration is being able to help others learn this craft and watch what they create.
Equipment you can't live without: The one tool I can’t live without is definitely my ThermoWorks MK4 instant read thermometer. I even have a mini one I keep on my keychain!
Known As: Will
Age: 46
Region: Flanders, NJ
Signature Dish: Grilled Lobster
Years of Grilling: 10 years
Grill of choice: Ceramic Style Grill, Primo/Kamado Joe
Biggest Inspiration: My goal is to inspire others to grill. I challenge myself on a weekly basis to improve my grilling skills and pass on my experiences with others.
Equipment you can't live without: Instant read Thermometer
Known As: Lobo
Age: 48
Region: IBCA #5 in Del Rio, TX
Signature Dish: Brisket, ribeye steak, and guisado.
Years of Grilling: 35 years
Grill of choice: My top 3 grills of choice in no particular order would have to be a Gateway drum, PK original, Weber Kettle.
Biggest Inspiration: My biggest inspiration is my family. To serve them the best possible dish and share unforgettable memories with them.
Equipment you can't live without: The one piece of equipment that I can’t live without has to be my “Bbq box” which contain all my gloves, thermo pens, seasonings, and of course my Fogo charcoal. Note:If I had to pick just one and all the other things were already in place it would have to be my thermo pen.
Known As: N/A
Age: 39
Region: Kingsbury, TX
Signature Dish: Brisket
Years of Grilling: 8 years
Grill of choice: My huge offset smoker
Biggest Inspiration: Like many my biggest inspiration would be my Grandfather. He would cook Old School style over hot coals for the Cowboys on the Ranches in South Texas, and the satisfaction the Cowboys got from knowing and enjoying meals my grandfather created is the inspiration I use to this day on the competition trail.
Equipment you can't live without: A good Thermapen
Known As: Danny
Age: 36
Region: Laredo, TX
Signature Dish: Ribs
Years of Grilling: 3 years
Grill of choice: Traditional offsets and Webber
Biggest Inspiration: My family. We grew up cooking inside and outside, always trying to beat one and other. I love to make something that makes my family smile.
Equipment you can't live without: I would have to say first and foremost my traditional offset smoker. You always need a good quality smoker. Second would be my Thermapen.
Known As: Kelch
Age: 40
Region: Tampa, FL
Signature Dish: I find myself cooking a lot of Beef lately ~ Beef Plate Ribs are probably my all time favorite to smoke, though i love nearly all things Pork. I really enjoy trying new things outside my comfort zone and am always experimenting.
Years of Grilling: 30 years
Grill of choice: Anything that involves live fire and Lump Charcoal cooking...Big Green Egg is most often my grill of choice though i have owned Grills, Offset, and vertical smokers over the years.
Biggest Inspiration: I've always been a huge fan of Guy Fieri and Ina Garten but my love for cooking and creating recipes came from my Grandmother Eloise Speiran who i called
Equipment you can't live without: Definitely my Thermoworks MK4 - in bright green OR a quality Chefs knife - I love my Wusthof Ikons and Shun Dual Core
Known As: RJL
Age: 38
Region: Austin, TX
Signature Dish: I start with the best meat. I use Snake River Farms. I keep it simple with kosher salt, coarse pepper + garlic.
Years of Grilling: 15 years
Grill of choice: Lynx Asado, Weber Summit Charcoal + Mill Scale
Biggest Inspiration: Francis Mallmann
Equipment you can't live without: My YETI Loadout + Shun knives
Known As: Tennessee MOJO BBQ
Age: 44
Region: Lawton, TN
Signature Dish: BBQ Ribs
Years of Grilling: 8 years
Grill of choice: Outlaw Stick Burner and Weber Kettle
Biggest Inspiration: Mr Danny Montgomery. A great friend and inspiration. He let me sit in on a comp in 2013. Even though I was not much help, he let me walk the stage with him and I have been hooked ever since. He has not only taught me how to be a BBQ champion, he has also taught me how to be a champion at life.
Equipment you can't live without: When it comes to grilling, you got to have a good charcoal. FOGO and a good instant read thermometer is the key to any good dish.
Known As: The BBQ Buddha
Age: 52
Region: Louisville, KY
Signature Dish: Spicy Smoked Korean Chicken Wings - See the recipe
Years of Grilling: 20 years
Grill of choice: Big Green Egg
Biggest Inspiration: Steven Raichlen
Equipment you can't live without: Tongs!
Known As: Pig's On! BBQ
Age: 52
Region: Portage, MI
Signature Dish: Smash Burgers - See the recipe
Years of Grilling: 25 years
Grill of choice: Big Green Egg
Biggest Inspiration: My Dad. Always trying to go back to the taste and texture of grilled chicken he made for us growing up
Equipment you can't live without: Thermometer