One of the iconic figures in BBQ joins us on Episode 204 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Ed Maurin was a member of the KCBS Board of Directors in the organization’s early days, when he battled the likes of Johnny Trigg, Ray Lampe and Jeff Stehney on the competition circuit. Honing his skills as a Kansas City firefighter, “Fast Eddy” would modify Traeger cookers to his liking, often raising eyebrows - and interest - from fellow competitors. By 1997, Maurin had developed his own line of FEC (Fast Eddy Cookers) that would revolutionize the pellet-cooking industry for restaurants and food trucks worldwide. 

Ed is still teamed up with Oklahoma-based Cookshack to bring new smokers to the market, with pizza cooking a primary focus these days. He talks his career, plus his passion for Off Road racing in the desert, in an extended conversation before catching a flight for a marathon off road race in Mexico this weekend.  

Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve discuss their BBQ weeks, review March Madness and the Final Four field and preview the new baseball season. 

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