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

There's no question that team participation in BBQ competitions has been trending downward in recent years. There are no magical solutions as various factor come into play, with economics probably No. 1. On Episode 361 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we take a stab at examining - from a contest organizer's point of view - what makes for a good comp, a not-so-good comp and all points in between with long-time organizer Carl McBee. We hope our listeners will add to the conversation in the comments section, though transparent and frequent communication along with bang-for-your-buck prize funds certainly seem to be at the top of everyone's lists.

Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve review their Father's Day cooking results and preview what's ahead as the weather heats up in the short stretch run up to the 4th of July weekend.

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 360 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast takes us to northeast Arkansas for a visit with one of the USA's most-respected, across-the-board pit masters. John Lindsey spent time on the KCBS circuit as All Q'ued Up BBQ before becoming a champion on the Steak Cookout Association for several years. He's opened a catering business in recent years that has been a hit and now is venturing more into content creation on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram as John Lindsey Delta Pitmaster with his twist on southern cooking. It's great to catch up with John, who has some interesting thoughts on his days in competition cooking along with the SCA, where there seems to be a groundswell for bring-your-own ribeyes - something he was an advocate of years ago.

Recurring guest Richard Fergola also checks in with the latest happenings from his BBQ travels as Fergolicious BBQ and the Richard Fergola BBQ line of rubs and sauces. Fergie has a busy summer ahead and you never know where he might pop up, teaching a class or competing.

Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve discuss their latest cooking adventures and preview Father's Day weekend on the grill and in the sports world.

Thanks as always to our sponsors/marketing partners:

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 LovelyJubblyBBQ #LovelyJubblyBBQ Mister Brisket #thighlife

Have a great week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm

Mat Bonville hasn't been doing competition BBQ for long, but the pitmaster of Phantom Smoke & BBQ from Kipling, Saskatchewan had a memorable cook at one of the world's foremost contests a couple of weeks ago. Bonville scored a whopping 707.97 at the KCBS World Invitational in Lebanon, Tennessee - roughly a 24-drive from home - to earn Reserve Grand honors and qualify for next spring's BBQ World Cup. On Episode 359 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Bonville tells us about his journey, what it was like hearing his name alongside some of the world's best and what's ahead for his one-man team.

We also welcome Joel Fleetwood back to the show to discuss Meat Rushmore BBQ's latest release in its product lineup, the Midwest Heat Sauce. Joel also shares his thoughts on the World Cup, which is coming to Kansas City for Group matches beginning next week, and the enthusiasm that international visitors are bringing to mid-America.

Co-host Lyndal and Steve recap their BBQ weekend and give opinions on some sports headlines. We hope everyone has a chance to fire up the grill or smoker this weekend!

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

Living six hours apart as competition teammates can be a challenge. But brothers Joe and Jeff Rouse have been able to overcome the geographic challenge to become one of the nation's top KCBS Backyard teams in recent years and, this year, are making waves in the four-meat Masters series as well. On Episode 358 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast we go "Under the Radar" to find out more about Joe (from New Jersey) and Jeff (Massachusetts) and how they're consistently bringing home trophies as Rough Cut Q - including a recent Reserve Grand Championship to a KCBS Hall of Famer.

It's also time to get the latest news from The Grill Guys of Missouri, who have a big June planned at the BBQ store in Republic, Mo., from big grill discounts to a BBQ class from two of the nation's best (Richard Fergola and Sterling Smith). The co-hoists review their cooking weeks and go through "news and notes" from the BBQ world in the opening segment, with sports segment to close things out.

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 357 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast brings back our popular "Under the Radar" segment where we find out more about up-and-coming competition teams. Jordan Williams and Richard Smith comprise BBQ Pit Bros out of Des Moines, Iowa. They began cooking KCBS backyard comps in 2021 and, after multiple Grand Championships and Reserves, the team has taken the plunge into the KCBS 4-Meat Masters Series in 2026. Jordan and Richard talk about the journey and how their contrasting personalities keep the team in balance.

We also talk about the growing popularity of high school BBQ with Chuck Simpson, head coach of the Missouri champion Osceola High School "Serial Grillers," an all-girl team comprised of three freshmen and a senior. Chuck and wife Jessica also organized the mid-July KCBS Masters and Backyard doubleheader "Smokin' on the Osage" in their hometown. This will be the 8th annual and Chuck is pleading with teams to avoid waiting until the last minute to enter, so he and Jessica can plan with less stress. The entry form and info can be found at smokinontheosage.com.

The co-hoists review their Memorial Day cooking plans and go through "news and notes" from the BBQ world in the opening segment, with a quick look at sports to close things out.

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

A few days after making history at one of the world's biggest BBQ competitions, Heath Riles joins us on Episode 356 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast to discuss his repeat Grand Championship at Memphis in May. It was the first time in 42 years that anyone has repeated their World Championship at Memphis in May and Heath breaks down what the accomplishment means to him and his Heath Riles BBQ brand and describes the work ethic that went into preparing for his favorite competition.

We also welcome back our friend Kevin Green of The Butcher Shoppe in Pensacola, supplier of A9 wagyu briskets to some of the nation's best BBQ teams. It came as a surprise earlier this week when Kevin announced that he had sold The Butcher Shoppe to a local couple after 19 years of building his business into a local and national powerhouse. Kevin said the shipping business will continue to those loyal customers who prefer A9s for competition.

On a personal note, a big "thank you" to Kevin for supporting our show for the last six years. We hope to continue the great relationship with the new owners of The Butcher Shoppe and wish Kevin much happiness in retirement or whatever adventure await.

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