In addition to being one of America’s great pitmasters, Fred Robles wears many other hats in the BBQ world. The 2019 American Royal World Series of BBQ Open Grand Champion runs his own butcher shop (Rio Valley Meats) in Weslaco, Texas, and is president of the Champions BBQ Alliance, a sanctioning body that’s successfully into its third year. We talk to Fred about all of those things on Episode 219 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, plus ways to help out one of his Texas BBQ brothers who’s battling cancer. Robert Sierra, a Texas BBQ icon in his own right, was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and Fred tells us about Robert as a great pitmaster and friend and how the BBQ family can help Robert with medical costs through Venmo (RobertSierraSPC) or CashApp (SrobertSierraSSPC). The Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast certainly sends our best wishes to Robert for a full and speedy recovery!

We also take a look at the upcoming Smokin’ on the Harbor, a KCBS Master’s and Backyard competition coming up Aug. 5-6 in scenic Warsaw, Mo., with organizer Lynette Stokes. Hear about the contest’s transition from all-backyard to adding the Master’s series a couple of years ago and how the public gets involved in the annual event. Go to WelcometoWarsaw.com and click on events to find out more. 

Meanwhile, co-hosts Lyndal and Steve discuss their recent cooking ventures and preview the weekend ahead. 

Thanks to all our sponsors and marketing partners for making the show possible:  Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #teamroyaloak2023 The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  Clark Crew BBQ #clarkcrew Proud Souls BBQ Kansas City #proudsoulsbbqkc #kingdomofq #proudsoulsbarbecueandprovisions Randy Vanslyke and Pro Technology Solutions The Grill Guys of Missouri 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