Andy Allen is a seasoned competition pitmaster, instructor, and restaurant consultant with a deep passion for barbecue. He serves as a cooking consultant, ambassador, and instructor for Green Mountain Grills, helping others elevate their outdoor cooking skills. Over the years, Andy has been fortunate to earn 14 Grand Championships, 8 Reserve Grands, and perfect scores (180s) in all four KCBS categories. He’s a four-time participant at the prestigious Jack Daniel’s Invitational, with top finishes including 2nd in pork and 4th in ribs, and has received multiple top-10 calls at the American Royal, including a 180 in brisket and 2nd in ribs. Andy was also honored to be part of the California Team of the Year in both ribs and brisket.

I am Freddy, founder of Tri-City Pitmasters from Southern California. I am currently employed by Firebull Charcoal and Primetime Spices. In the past, I worked for FOGO Charcoal, Prime 6 Charcoal, and Papas Grilling Products. I also used to host and compete in SCA Events. Additionally, my girlfriend and I have founded the California Tri Tip Association. We have started hosting competitions, but have run into a few speed bumps.

Join us with Rooster and Graybeard: where fire meets flavor, to salute the troops and talk about Texas made Charles Goodnight Texas Whiskey Bourbon. 

We welcome Rusty Monson back to the show for an update on Salt City Barbecue. For 2025 he has won the Best In State vote for Best Barbecue Restaurant. It has officially been one year since he stepped away from the show, so we will see what he has been doing.

7 SINS BBQ is a BBQ Catering Company & Award Winning BBQ Competition Team who competes in the KCBS / CBBQA circuits as well as a producer of Award Winning BBQ Rubs & Sauces in the United States and Australia.

My name is Cory Jones owner of Hearth Heroes BBQ. Our passion for BBQ is evident in every bite. We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy great food without compromising their dietary needs, which is why we take pride in our gluten-free and low-salt offerings. We carefully select our ingredients to ensure that each seasoning blend is not only flavorful but also healthy. Whether you are hosting a backyard barbecue, planning a special event, or simply looking to spice up your weeknight dinners, Hearth Heroes BBQ has something for everyone. From our signature rubs, we invite you to taste the difference that dedication and passion can make. Join us on this flavorful journey and discover why we are the go-to choice for BBQ lovers everywhere. Thank you for choosing Hearth Heroes BBQ, where every meal is a celebration of bold flavors and wholesome ingredients!

Karen Wright Wright on QAKA mom to the Steak Princess Russell and I started competing in BBQ in the early 2000’s. He did his first steak competition in June of 2017 with me just there for support. I started cooking ancillaries not long after and then moved to steak.

Sterling Smith, 2022 World Barbecue Champion, US Navy Veteran, barbecue teacher, cookbook author, and owner/Pitmaster of Loot N’ Booty BBQ, has been competing on the professional barbeque circuit since 2009. In that time, Sterling and his family have traveled nationally and internationally to compete in major competitions including the Jack Daniel’s World BBQ Invitational, where they won the title of World Pork Champion, the American Royal World Series of BBQ, where they won Reserve Grand Champion in 2014 and 2022 out of more than 500 professional BBQ teams and won the title of Chicken World Champion and The Kingsford Australian World BBQ Invitational where they won the title of Brisket World Champion. Sterling has won over 55 Grand and Reserve Grand Championship Awards, more than 800 top ten awards and is the two-time Australian Invitational Lamb Champion. Loot N’ Booty BBQ is a 5-time Arizona BBQ Team of the Year and was featured on an episode of Destination America Channel’s Smoked, where Sterling and his wife Molly won the title of “Smoked BBQ Boss.” Loot N’ Booty BBQ Rubs and Sauces are sold nationally and internationally at hundreds of retailers world-wide, and Sterling teaches competition and backyard style BBQ classes at locations across the world. For more information visit: www.lootnbootybbq.com Accolades:  5 X World Champion  2023 CA BBQ Hall of Fame Inductee  55 Grand and Reserve Grand Championships  800 plus Top 10 awards  17 perfect 180 scores  11 – 700 plus scores  2 X Australian Invitational Lamb Champion  2014 American Royal Open Reserve Grand Champion  2022 American Royal Open Reserve Grand Champion  5 X Arizona BBQ Team of the Year  2022 World Barbecue Champion  2021 World Barbecue Reserve Grand Champion  2023 World Barbecue Reserve Grand Champion  Received title of “Smoked BBQ Boss” from Destination America’s Channel Smoked