Cooking in brutally cold weather can test the best pitmasters, physically and mentally. That was the case last weekend at the Qlathe BBQ Championship in Olathe, Kansas, where Justin Bowman of Bull Creek BBQ overcame temps in the teens and gusty winds to prevail in a 68-team field to earn the Grand Championship. On Episode 203 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, the Paola, Kansas, cook talked about some improvising to meet the arctic-like challenges while reviewing his career in competition BBQ.

We also go back “Under the Radar” and learn the story of another aspiring, up-and-coming competition pitmaster. Nick Owensby of Ohio’s Sailor Nick’s Crazy Good BBQ is a Navy veteran who has enthusiastically adopted open-fire cooking as a passion. Nick is diving into competition cooking in 2023 and he tells us about the journey and how being a part of the BBQ family has filled a post-military void in his life.

Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve discuss their BBQ weeks and review what they have in common with the rest of America - busted March Madness brackets.

Thanks to all our sponsors and marketing partners for making the show possible:  Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #teamroyaloak2023 The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  Iowa BBQ Store #iowacornercookers Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrew Proud Souls BBQ Kansas City #proudsoulsbbqkc #kingdomofq #proudsoulsbarbecueandprovisions Randy Vanslyke and Pro Technology Solutions Affordable Financial Services Allquedup #arkassippicombo Vietti Marketing Group #marketing  In the Garden of Eden Marty "Real Sign Man" Prather #pizza

Have a great BBQ week and thanks for listening! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm