On Episode 223 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we take a trip to southern California to visit with one of the top teams on the West Coast. It was quite a 48-hour period last week for B’ Mackin BBQ out of San Diego as the team got its first-ever draw into The Jack Daniels World BBQ Invitational on Thursday and then won its first Grand Championship of 2023 on Saturday. Brett McKinney and Benny Watsman of B’Mackin BBQ join us to talk about the emotions and excitement, the background of the team and the challenges of competing on the West Coast, where competitions are not easy to find. 

Then we go “Under the Radar” with an up-and-coming team that’s yet to win a KCBS Master’s Series Grand Championship - but is closing in. Travis Farthing from Oklahoma’s Fine As Swine BBQ already has two Reserve Grands in 2023, plus overall finishes of third and fourth in just six competitions. Travis tells us the background of Fine As Swine, which he and wife Melissa oversee, while offering up advice to those considering jumping into competition Q. 

Meanwhile, co-host Lyndal Scranton reviews the Tailgate Guys BBQ team’s latest try at competition with a review of Que for a Cause in Tahlequah, Okla., and Steve Koehler talks about his latest backyard cooking adventures. 

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