The Barbeque Life

On this episode of The Barbeque Life Kurt talks with Jason Hernandez of Big J’s So Cal BBQ out of Bloomington, CA about his journey getting into BBQ, including spending six months in county jail, doing pop ups out of his house, got started catering which he was influenced to do by a friend, what Jason defines as SoCal BBQ, what to get excited about on Big J’s menu, moving into being a business owner, getting a mentor, what’s coming up in 2024, wise words for people who want to find their passion - whether it be in BBQ or anything, and more! “What our past is, isn’t our future.” Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/bFPkwq83Ckg Follow and connect with Big J’s So Cal BBQ at the links below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigjaysbbq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigjssocalbbq Twitter: https://twitter.com/BigJsSoCalBbq YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BigJsSoCalBbq Website: https://bigjssocalbbq.com/ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

On this episode of The Barbeque Life Kurt talks with Josh Hall out of Cumming, GA and is the Co-Owner of ResQue Rubs, a BBQ rub business that donates 10% of their proceeds to Fur Kids, a no kill shelter for cats and dogs about how COVID gave them the idea to start the ResQue Rubs, how they have built the business, gotten customers, and spread the word about their company, how they came up with the names of products, get feedback, deal with adversity, and so much more. “[Social media] is a necessary evil. It’s free advertising. You gotta do it.” Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/sXjWuahEMV8 Follow and connect with ResQue Rubs at the links below! Website: https://www.resquerubs.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resquerubs/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resquerubs TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resquerubs_1117 Fur Kids: https://www.instagram.com/furkidsatlanta/ Because Coffee: https://because.coffee/ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Conner Morris and Kris Aebischer Hooked on Que out of Tampa, FL about how they both got into BBQ at different times in their lives, how their business came to be out of a rehearsal dinner and backyard BBQ competition, the hurdles they’ve faced in their business and competitions, how they stand out from other food trucks, sage advice from their year’s experience, and more! Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Lav1U6TYHXo “I don’t think it’s so much balance, but it’s not just literally saying yes to every possible opportunity.” - Kris Aebischer Follow and connect with Hooked on Que at the links below! Website: https://www.hookedonque.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HookedOnQue/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089688848612 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hookedonque_ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Kyle Matuszewski, Owner of Your Behind BBQ out of Waddell, Arizona, about his journey getting into cooking and BBQ after tearing his ACL in the last play of the last game of his high school football career and missing out on D1 scholarships, to getting hooked on BBQ Pitmasters, placing 7th out of 117 for chicken at a BBQ contest, committing, buying a food truck for catering, and now a restaurant, his mindset moving into starting his own business, sacrificing and selling his house to get a food trailer, winning the chocolate festival, how he creates his menu, how his experience has been with hiring employees, sage advice for those starting from the bottom or making the leap from trailer to brick and mortar, and more! “I truly believe it’s live or die off social media.” Follow and connect with Kyle Matuszewski at the links below! Website: https://yourbehindbbq.com/kyle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_behind_bbq_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourBehindBBQ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourbehindbbq Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Kenny Bottom, owner and operator of Pig Feathers Farm and What's Smokin'?, out of Hephzibah, GA, about his journey into BBQ after working in the railroad industry as a locomotive engineer for over 19 years to now creating and running three businesses, starting his pork business, why he bought a trailer over a truck and if he’d do it again, the conception of his lemonade stand business and tips on how to increase your ticket prices, the biggest lesson he’s learned in the past year, questions he asks when someone wants to book a food truck, and more! “Pasture raised is a lifestyle.” Follow and connect with Kenny Bottoms at the links below! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrpigfeather/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kenny.bottoms Pig Feathers Farm: https://www.pigfeathers.farm/ What's Smokin: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085930544746&mibextid=LQQJ4d Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Mike Robertson, who goes by BBQ Mike, about how he got started in BBQ with the help of a friend, how he balances his full time job, competitions, and building his catering business, his plans moving forward with BBQ, how the BBQ community has made an impact in his life and BBQ journey, his favorite foods to cook, how he treats cooks at the house vs. competition cooks, and more! "My favorite thing to cook is pretty much anything I can get my hands on." Follow and connect with BBQ Mike at the links below! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbqmike/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066584232851 Products mentioned in the show: Loot N’ Booty BBQ: https://lootnbootybbq.com/ Real Man Meat: https://therealmanmeatbbq.com/ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Greg Bleich of Bay Bridge BBQ out of North Jersey, about his journey getting in BBQ, roadblocks and disappointment when he was getting started, instantly falling in love and getting addicted to smoking meat, branding, starting an LLC and going all in, how he got the name Bay Bridge BBQ and why it’s an ode to his hometown, the doors that have opened for him since he started branding himself, how he decides on which smoker to buy, his favorite meats to cook, and so much more! “Had I never had a brand, I was just Greg that brought the brisket.” Follow and connect with Greg and Bay Bridge BBQ at the links below! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baybridgebbq/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@baybridgebbq TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baybridgebbq Website: https://www.baybridgebbq.com/ Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

We're back! After a bit of hiatus, Kurt is back and back with a fire under him! On today's episode of The Barbeque Life, Kurt talks about the jump he has recently taken from his 13 year career in financial planning to going all in on his passion of BBQ. He dives into many informational and motivational topics including: - His story and journey of taking the leap into BBQ full time - Branding, social media, how often to post, what to post - Different sources of income stream - Taking your BBQ business seriously, make sure legal tasks are prioritized - The importance of relationships, different kinds of relationships to build and establish locally - Questions to ask yourself and others to create mutually beneficial partnerships - What gets him fired up and resources you can use to improve yourself - and more! Watch the full episode here! https://youtu.be/wDVUUb9U5kY Follow and connect with Kurt and Ironhead Barbeque at the links below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ironheadbarbeque Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironheadbbq/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ironheadbbq TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ironheadbbq Merch: https://www.ironheadbbq.com/ Email: kurt@ironheadbbq.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ironheadbarbeque The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply! Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/ Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

We’re flipping the script on today’s episode! Kurt has his friend and Pitmaster of Blinky’s Offset BBQ, Matt Osman, on The Barbeque Life to interview Kurt about his journey to getting a GC at the Famous Dave’s BBQ World Food Championship, flying to Billings, Montana and his experience cooking on borrowed grills, cooking lamb for the first time, getting DAL and placing terribly in People’s Choice at his first Famous Dave’s pilot competition, the EAT method, and tips on what to do and what to avoid, and more! “A true pit master, in my opinion is someone that can cook on any cooker you put in front of that person. Period. End of story.” Follow and connect with Kurt and Ironhead Barbeque at the links below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ironheadbarbeque Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironheadbbq/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ironheadbbq TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ironheadbbq Merch: https://www.ironheadbbq.com/ Email: kurt@ironheadbbq.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ironheadbarbeque The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply! Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/ Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Janet Silverman, Chief Impact Officer of The Good Charcoal about how they got started in 2020, the impact they made to communities during Covid and beyond with their give back program, the unique type of wood they use from Namibia forests, expanding into new markets and coming out with new products, how you can help out with volunteering, and more! “Not only am I just handing out food, but sometimes I’m just an ear for people to talk to.” Follow and connect with The Good Charcoal below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegoodcharcoal/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegoodcharcoal/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGoodCharcoal TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegoodcharcoal Website: https://www.thegoodcharcoal.com/ Email: Hello@thegoodcharcoal.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thegoodcharcoal The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply! Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/ Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Chad Urbonovic with QueFellas BBQ out of Lapeer, MI about a recent contest at Famous Dave’s, competing using the EAT method, starting his BBQ journey, taking a class, missing a turn in box, taking a class again and gaining momentum, learning new things and getting out of his comfort zone, what the set up for the wild card looks like, his experience with the wing category in People’s Choice, some words of wisdom and more! “You give anyone free cheesecake, they’re gonna say it’s great.” Follow and connect with Chad Urbonovic and QueFellas BBQ below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090173781886 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quefellasbbqcompetition/ The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply! Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/ Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Bert McClain, Pitmaster and Owner of PB&J’s BBQ out of Jackson, MI about the difference between competition BBQ and catering, his mindset when he decided to go all in with catering, the importance of knowing your endgame, the qualities it takes to do well in the BBQ business, how he balances being the sole owner and operator of his business, how he came up with the name PB&J’s, how he connects with other businesses for partnerships, where he got the inspiration to have a creative menu, his 4 year plan, process of booking his gigs, words of wisdom, and more! “Food truck wise, you’re never gonna be 100% ready…jump in.” Follow and connect with Bert McClain and PB&J’s BBQ below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PBJSBBQofMICHIGAN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pbj_bbq/ Website: https://pbjsbbqco.com/ Monday Morning Food Truck Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/monday-morning-food-truck The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply! Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/ Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Matt Osman, CEO and Pitmaster of Blinky’s Offset BBQ out of Bellevue, TN about how he has turned his focus from competition BBQ to an actual BBQ business, the lessons he’s learned, running a soft launch, letting professionals take care of their craft in a business, not budging on price, setting a menu, a teaser for marketing and social media, and so much more! “There’s no Easy-Bake-BBQ. Not if it’s any good.” Follow and connect with Matt Osman and Blinky's Offset BBQ below! Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlinkysoffsetBBQ/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/blinkysoffsetbbq__/ The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply! Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/ Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Nick Owensby, Pitmaster and Owner of Sailor Nick’s BBQ out of Wadsworth, OH about being new to the competition scene after smoking BBQ for about 5 years, team name coming from him being in the Navy, what types of smokers he’s had, jumping in feet first to BBQ, why so many people come to GA to compete, his thoughts on growing the BBQ community, and more! “This is the first time since I left the Navy that I felt like I belonged to something again.” Follow and connect with Sailor Nick’s BBQ and his sponsor at the links below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086255329390 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailor_nicks_bbq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sailornicksbbq Twitter: https://twitter.com/sailor_nick_bbq Go Big, Go BBQ: https://www.gobigorgobbq.com/ The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply! Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/ Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Jake Fincher of Finchers BBQ & Catering out of Macon, GA about his grandpa, Douglas “Dude” Fincher starting the business in 1935, starting to help at a young age, their claim to fame pulled pork, their cooking process and their smoker, their partnership with Mrs. Griffin’s BBQ sauce, what sets Fincher’s BBQ apart, how they were the first BBQ company to have their food in space, thriving during hard times, sacrifices as a restaurant owner, using social media as free advertising and more! “Do what you do best and you’ll be ok.” Follow and connect with Fincher’s BBQ & Catering at the links below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinchersBarbecue/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbqdawg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jakefincher1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Finchersbbq Website: https://www.finchersbbqga.net/ The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply! Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/ Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Big Perm, Pitmaster of Zilla’s Pit BBQ out of Nashville, TN, about how he got his start in BBQ, why he got into catering, what happened when he realized he was making just as much in catering as he was in his actual job, plans to move into a brick and mortar, the mindset of moving from a comfortable salary to full time catering, what type of BBQ he cooks, the biggest challenge he’s faced as a business owner, how he succeeded during COVID, why it’s so important to do something you love, and more! “Not only do I want my business to impact my family directly, I want to make sure I impact the community around me.” Follow and connect with Zilla’s Pit BBQ at the links below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zillaspitbbq Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zillas_pit_bbq/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/zillaspitbbq Website: https://www.zillaspitbbq.com/ The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply! Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/ Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Logan Chesnut, Pitmaster of Small Batch Barbecue out of Clarksville, TN, as he records the podcast at the very competition where he got his start in 2019, about being inspired by BBQ Pitmasters, being approached my a BBQ restaurant for help with marketing, his cooker and trailer set up for his 6’9 body, his favorite smokers to work with and a few things to ask yourself to find the smoker for you, the differences between competition BBQ and catering BBQ, the importance of continuous learning, branding and business, powerful advice for those wanting to get into BBQ, and more! “If I can sell enough on the side or do enough catering gigs on the side to pay for this expensive hobby of mine, I’ll call it a good day.” Follow and connect with Small Batch Barbecue at the links below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallbatchbarbecue19 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/small_batchbbq The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply! Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/ Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Jason Hardee, Pitmaster and Owner of Elite BBQ Smokers out of Conway, SC about how he got started in competition BBQ by finding a milk vat cleaning out his dairy farm barn, getting into making smokers, why he made the choice to move from SCBA’s to KCBS, why people in BBQ is so important and meaningful to Jason, his thoughts on public interaction, seeing all perspectives of BBQ, the judge seating program, doing your part and developing relationships in BBQ, and more! “Anybody who knows me knows I never do anything small. Everything’s got to be just - boom, over the top.” Follow and connect with Elite BBQ Smokers at the links below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elitebbqsmokers/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elitebbqsmokers/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EliteBBQSmokers Twitter: https://twitter.com/EliteBBQSmokers TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elitebbqsmokers Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/EliteBBQSmokers/ Website: https://elitebbqsmokers.com/ Discord: https://discord.com/invite/ygTCZVWVrB Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteBBQSmokers/ BBQ Roundtable Airs Tuesdays 8:30pm EST on Facebook The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply! Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/ Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

Kurt talks with Erik Mengel, Pitmaster of Trash Panda BBQ out of Roland, IA about how he got started from a cookbook his mom gave him, where the name Trash Panda comes from, what Iowa BBQ means, Erik’s specialty bacon wrapped pizza rolls, his cooker set up, going into backyard before pro, the mindset of a competition BBQ, the resource that helped him the most, his go-to rubs and sauces, his take on the judge seating program, and some advice for BBQ newbies! “It’s not dip your toe in, you just gotta go for it.” Follow and connect with Trash Panda at the links below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trashpandabbq/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trashpandabbq/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@trashpandabbq Twitter: https://twitter.com/Trash_BBQ Twitch: https://m.twitch.tv/trashpandabbq/home The BBQ League: https://www.thebbqleague.com/ The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply! Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/ Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!

On the fifth episode of the KCBS Judge Seating Program Series, Kurt talks with George DeMartz, Pitmaster of Twisted Pair BBQ out of Raleigh, NC, who is also a part of the CBJ & the Rules Committee, about how his humble beginnings in BBQ, his experience in leadership roles within the CBJ and the Rules Committee, the advantages and disadvantages of the previous judge seating program, putting the sport of BBQ in a position to grow and continue for future generations, teaching others how to have a successful contest and event, what scores to take into consideration for a judge seating program, keeping the program simple, and more! "One thing that we have to do though, is we have to educate the judges on how to look at their data and how their scores matter." Follow and connect with Mark Gantt at the links below! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TwistedPairBBQ/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TwistedPairBBQ/ The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply! Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/ Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook! Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter: https://linktr.ee/thebarbequelife Want to reach us? Email us at kurt@thebarbequelife.com KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!