Spring has officially arrived, which means there are BBQ competitions across the land each weekend from now through early November - not to mention hundreds of thousands of backyard cooks are firing up backyard smokers and grills. On Episode 252 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we talk to one of American's most-colorful pitmasters and brand ambassadors, plus a Kansas City-area team that took home a big championship last weekend.

Starting us off at the 7:05 mark of the show is a conversation with Craig Verhage, marketing director of Royal Oak Charcoal. Craig tells us about the latest products on the market from Royal Oak and, in his role as "The BBQ Ninja," takes us through a busy schedule of appearances at BBQ competitions and festivals across the land. It's always fun to chop it up with The Ninja! 

Also on the show:

26:21 - Skyler Spartan with the latest from The Grills Guys of Missouri.

29:15 - Brothers Mike and Tanner McGee from Pirates of BBQ Bay gives us a rundown of their Grand Championship at the Qlathe BBQ Championship in Olathe, Kansas and a look at the team's history in the comp world.

50:50 - The Smoke 'n Magic minute with Brad Colter gives some advice to aspiring competition teams about the importance of practice cooking to a real-life timeline.

Co-hosts Lyndal and Steve also begin and end the show with their latest BBQ adventures and take a stab at predicting the Final Four as March Madness gets underway.

Thanks to all our sponsors and marketing partners for making the show possible:  Blues Hog #blueshognation Royal Oak Charcoal #teamroyaloak2023 The Butcher Shoppe #alwayshandpicked  Proud Souls BBQ Kansas City #proudsoulsbbqkc #kingdomofq  The Grill Guys of Missouri Smoke 'n Magic BBQ #SmokenMagic Vietti Marketing Group   Marty "Real Sign Man" Prather #pizza

Have a great BBQ week! #SmokeEmIfYouGotEm