Rooster and Greybeard are back to help us plan the perfect Valentine's Day!

We are excited to announce that we will be conducting a blind tasting of various BBQ rubs to determine the winner of the 2025 BBQ Rub competition. This event will feature a diverse selection of rubs, some of which will be tasted live during the events. Join us for this thrilling experience as we uncover exceptional flavors, ultimately crowning the champion of BBQ rubs. Don't miss out on the chance to witness this epic showdown and find out which rub will crowned Champ! 

Self-sufficiency and discipline are hallmarks of Johnson’s persona, ingrained early in his life by his hard-working and devoted parents.  Growing up a “latchkey kid” while his parents worked, Johnson learned to cook and take care of himself, while navigating the streets of Manhattan on his own.  His parents’ hard work paid off, and they moved their family to Wyandach, a suburb on Long Island, known equally for its less-than-stellar public schools and the exceptional artists and athletes it turned out.  At times tempted to rebel, Johnson was set straight both by his parents, and his elders in the neighborhood, who took it upon themselves to keep an eye on the neighborhood kids.

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After graduating high school, Johnson embarked on a college career at the University of Connecticut. He soon began to see his college classmates graduating and returning home to their parents.  For Johnson, this was an unacceptable and unfathomable future, and during his second year of college, he altered course.  It was a pivotal decision for the young man, and one that would shape the rest of his adult life. Relocating to New Jersey, Johnson began working in the custom furniture business, a trade he’d learned in his teen years from an uncle.  Over the next few years, Johnson honed his craft and at 27, began his own custom furniture business, living in New Jersey and working in Manhattan.  It was during this time that he began to cultivate a passion for cooking.  He began to consider a future in the catering industry.  

I am a husband, father and bbq athlete! I started doing competition cooking in 2020 and have been hooked ever since. I mainly participate in SCA events, but also compete in backyard and KCBS competitions when the opportunity arises. I just came off my best season overall where I was able to secure the Grand Champion title for both ancillaries and ribs in the BBQ Pitstop steak championship series for Utah and finished 4th place in steak.

Christie is the owner of Girls Can Grill® and an award-winning competitive pitmaster. I have cooked on dozens of grills and have at least 30 in my backyard at any given time. I have developed recipes for several companies within the grilling and BBQ industry. I also competed in BBQ Brawl on Food Network and am the host of the BBQ Tips Podcast.

JDQ BBQ is a family-owned Barbecue Rub Company based in Kansas City, the mecca of Barbecue. We make award-winning Sweet Barbecue Rub with hints of pecan and pepper that complement any meat. Our rub has proven results on the competition bbq circuit, bringing championship flavor to your very own backyard.

Join us to visit with Girls Can Grill's Christie Vanover to celebrate the release of her first cookbook, Holiday Grilling!!