BiCoastal BBQ
Wake Forest, NC
Alan Kofsky, Pitmaster
Wake Forest, NC
Alan Kofsky, Pitmaster
Big Dog BBQ VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Theresa Bell, Pitmaster
Big Dog BBQ VA is from Virginia Beach, VA. We are beginning our 6th year of competition. We got into BBQ competitions because of Pitmasters season one! Team members are pitmaster Theresa Bell and team mate and spouse Larry Bell. We have a mobile catering business. This will be our first time competing at Kings of Q and we are very excited! Our name Big Dog BBQ is a nod to Hank our big black Labrador Retriever. Take a look at our logo and you’ll see him! There is no better family than the BBQ family!
Virginia Beach, VA
Theresa Bell, Pitmaster
Big Dog BBQ VA is from Virginia Beach, VA. We are beginning our 6th year of competition. We got into BBQ competitions because of Pitmasters season one! Team members are pitmaster Theresa Bell and team mate and spouse Larry Bell. We have a mobile catering business. This will be our first time competing at Kings of Q and we are very excited! Our name Big Dog BBQ is a nod to Hank our big black Labrador Retriever. Take a look at our logo and you’ll see him! There is no better family than the BBQ family!
Bud Wiser’s BBQ
Fayetteville, NC
Brian Penrod, Pitmaster
We are a Husband and wife team in our third year of competition. Our adventure into competitive BBQ began right after Brian retired from the Army. We try to enter one contest per month depending on our schedule at home. Additionally, we took the KCBS judging class late last year and we are KCBS Certified BBQ judges. Competing and Judging in the KCBS events has been a great experience for us. We have met some great people and really enjoy competing. Our goal is to not only cook the best we can but also to have a great time at each event! We look forward to meeting the great people of Ayden NC at this year’s event!!!
Fayetteville, NC
Brian Penrod, Pitmaster
We are a Husband and wife team in our third year of competition. Our adventure into competitive BBQ began right after Brian retired from the Army. We try to enter one contest per month depending on our schedule at home. Additionally, we took the KCBS judging class late last year and we are KCBS Certified BBQ judges. Competing and Judging in the KCBS events has been a great experience for us. We have met some great people and really enjoy competing. Our goal is to not only cook the best we can but also to have a great time at each event! We look forward to meeting the great people of Ayden NC at this year’s event!!!
Chock Full of Barbecue
Como, SC
Rich Bleil, Pitmaster
Como, SC
Rich Bleil, Pitmaster
Coastal Smoke BBQ
Wilmington, NC
Jim and Amanda Reed, Pitmasters
Coastal Smoke BBQ is a husband and wife team that started competing in 2013. We go to a few competitions each year and really enjoy meeting new people and the hospitality of the towns we visit. Both of us have worked on our recipes and cooking processes tirelessly; at the competitions, though you will primarily see Amanda with the apron on – and she loves it! We really enjoy practicing throughout the year and our friends and family enjoy eating our practice food as well. Our love of cooking and BBQ has led Amanda to developing our own sauces as well – over the last year, she has worked on getting all of the necessary certifications and approval to produce and sell Coastal Smoke BBQ sauces. Make sure you stop over and try a sample – she’s very proud of it.
Wilmington, NC
Jim and Amanda Reed, Pitmasters
Coastal Smoke BBQ is a husband and wife team that started competing in 2013. We go to a few competitions each year and really enjoy meeting new people and the hospitality of the towns we visit. Both of us have worked on our recipes and cooking processes tirelessly; at the competitions, though you will primarily see Amanda with the apron on – and she loves it! We really enjoy practicing throughout the year and our friends and family enjoy eating our practice food as well. Our love of cooking and BBQ has led Amanda to developing our own sauces as well – over the last year, she has worked on getting all of the necessary certifications and approval to produce and sell Coastal Smoke BBQ sauces. Make sure you stop over and try a sample – she’s very proud of it.
Doctor Cue NC
Angier, NC
Adam Beard, Pitmaster
I'm a veterinarian who loves sci-fi and bbq, so I thought I'd throw that all together and start a competition BBQ team. We've worked our way up from the backyard, capping that season off with a trip to the Jack Daniels International BBQ Champtionship Shade Tree to now having 3 years of pro experience. My wife and my mom help me out and I wouldn't be able to do this without them. We've shown through various finishes and calls that we can compete with anyone in individual categories, we're just looking to put that one magical cook all together at the same place. Our site is always open to visitors so stop by and say hello if you see us!
Angier, NC
Adam Beard, Pitmaster
I'm a veterinarian who loves sci-fi and bbq, so I thought I'd throw that all together and start a competition BBQ team. We've worked our way up from the backyard, capping that season off with a trip to the Jack Daniels International BBQ Champtionship Shade Tree to now having 3 years of pro experience. My wife and my mom help me out and I wouldn't be able to do this without them. We've shown through various finishes and calls that we can compete with anyone in individual categories, we're just looking to put that one magical cook all together at the same place. Our site is always open to visitors so stop by and say hello if you see us!
Fatheads BBQ
Albemarle, NC
Brad Hamilton, Pitmaster
Albemarle, NC
Brad Hamilton, Pitmaster
Feelin' Swine BBQ
Wilmington, NC
Mike Frazier, Pitmaster
We are a cook team that has been in existence for less than a year from Wilmington, NC. I have had a passion for cooking my entire life and decided to enter in competition cooking in October of 2021. This will be our 4th competition.
Wilmington, NC
Mike Frazier, Pitmaster
We are a cook team that has been in existence for less than a year from Wilmington, NC. I have had a passion for cooking my entire life and decided to enter in competition cooking in October of 2021. This will be our 4th competition.
Grillin’ Thyme
Winterville, NC
Mark Davies, Pitmaster
Grillin’ Thyme is a “local” team, hailing all the way from 5 minutes down the road in the metropolis of Winterville, NC. Our team is made up of Pitmasters Mark Davies and Robbie Johnson and on occasions my wife Cathy and our daughter, Meredith. We began competing on the professional BBQ circuit in 2014 and have earned awards in all meat categories along the way. In fact we are only 1 of just a few select #thickcut teams in competition BBQ today. We are two time People’s Choice Champions here at the Kings of Q BBQ competition and this year we are looking to make it three time champs. Last year we had a little hiccup, but we will be coming strong this May in Ayden! #ENCBBQ #1
Winterville, NC
Mark Davies, Pitmaster
Grillin’ Thyme is a “local” team, hailing all the way from 5 minutes down the road in the metropolis of Winterville, NC. Our team is made up of Pitmasters Mark Davies and Robbie Johnson and on occasions my wife Cathy and our daughter, Meredith. We began competing on the professional BBQ circuit in 2014 and have earned awards in all meat categories along the way. In fact we are only 1 of just a few select #thickcut teams in competition BBQ today. We are two time People’s Choice Champions here at the Kings of Q BBQ competition and this year we are looking to make it three time champs. Last year we had a little hiccup, but we will be coming strong this May in Ayden! #ENCBBQ #1
Holy Smoke BBQ-NC
Ayden, NC
Billy Merrill and Robert Merrill, Pitmasters
Team “Holy Smoke BBQ-NC” is the hometown team at the “Kings of Q” BBQ Cook-off and Festival comprised of Head Cook Billy Merrill and son, Robert Merrill of Ayden, Jim Burrell of Smithfield, and (infrequently) Gordon Hubbell of Lincolnton, North Carolina. The team "congealed" about five years ago among friends on the Pelletheads.com online forum, cooking only three or four contests annually but has expanded in cooking frequency, barbeque education, and dedicated cooking equipment. Holy Smoke now participates in ten to twelve contests per year primarily in the Carolinas. Although they have yet to make Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion in a contest (made it to 3rd), they've taken a lot of "walks" for 2nd through 10th place in the categories and won "Anything Butt" (the fun non-KCBS Friday night category) for some fabulous flaming dessert (Bananas Foster) and “People’s Choice” pork where the public votes for their favorite. They consider themselves serious competitors, but also compete for the sheer joy of mingling with all the great folks "on the circuit"; and judges, too (Billy is certified and Gordon is a Master Judge and Ph.B./"Doctor of Barbeque"). Often, they are joined by newer KCBS judges who spend the weekend cooking with them to learn the ropes about how the food is prepared in order to ultimately qualify to become Master Judges. Billy has competed on the national level in the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, in Kansas City, Missouri, and in the prestigious Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, TN.
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolySmokeBBQ.NC/
Ayden, NC
Billy Merrill and Robert Merrill, Pitmasters
Team “Holy Smoke BBQ-NC” is the hometown team at the “Kings of Q” BBQ Cook-off and Festival comprised of Head Cook Billy Merrill and son, Robert Merrill of Ayden, Jim Burrell of Smithfield, and (infrequently) Gordon Hubbell of Lincolnton, North Carolina. The team "congealed" about five years ago among friends on the Pelletheads.com online forum, cooking only three or four contests annually but has expanded in cooking frequency, barbeque education, and dedicated cooking equipment. Holy Smoke now participates in ten to twelve contests per year primarily in the Carolinas. Although they have yet to make Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion in a contest (made it to 3rd), they've taken a lot of "walks" for 2nd through 10th place in the categories and won "Anything Butt" (the fun non-KCBS Friday night category) for some fabulous flaming dessert (Bananas Foster) and “People’s Choice” pork where the public votes for their favorite. They consider themselves serious competitors, but also compete for the sheer joy of mingling with all the great folks "on the circuit"; and judges, too (Billy is certified and Gordon is a Master Judge and Ph.B./"Doctor of Barbeque"). Often, they are joined by newer KCBS judges who spend the weekend cooking with them to learn the ropes about how the food is prepared in order to ultimately qualify to become Master Judges. Billy has competed on the national level in the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, in Kansas City, Missouri, and in the prestigious Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, TN.
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolySmokeBBQ.NC/
KIRBBQ
Norfolk, VA
Edward Kirby, Pitmaster
Norfolk, VA
Edward Kirby, Pitmaster
Mcadoo Heights BBQ
Greensboro, NC
Sean Sewell, Pitmaster
This is Mcadoo Height BBQ's 6thyear competing. Team members include Sean Sewell, Jay Sewell, Chris Johnson and Keenan Sewell. We were Grand Champions of the Peak City Pig Fest in Apex 2016 and the Grand Champions in BBQ Capital Cookoff in Lexington in April 2017. We are also the 2017 Reserve Grand Champions for the Kings of Q.
Greensboro, NC
Sean Sewell, Pitmaster
This is Mcadoo Height BBQ's 6thyear competing. Team members include Sean Sewell, Jay Sewell, Chris Johnson and Keenan Sewell. We were Grand Champions of the Peak City Pig Fest in Apex 2016 and the Grand Champions in BBQ Capital Cookoff in Lexington in April 2017. We are also the 2017 Reserve Grand Champions for the Kings of Q.
Muttley Crew
Apex, NC
Shannon Turner, Pitmaster
Muttley Crew BBQ is a team from Apex, NC led by Shannon Turner. The husband/wife team started competing in KCBS BBQ Competitions in 2013 and have earned several Grand Championships, Reserve Grand Championships, many top 10 category and overall awards including Shannon becoming the 2017 Cowboy Charcoal Fire and Ice Champion at the World Food Championships. While competition cooking is their passion, they are also certified KCBS BBQ judges. They have 5 dogs, 2 of which travel to most competitions with them - best taste testers in the world! In 2018, they plan to donate a percentage of their winnings to a deserving charity for animals.
Apex, NC
Shannon Turner, Pitmaster
Muttley Crew BBQ is a team from Apex, NC led by Shannon Turner. The husband/wife team started competing in KCBS BBQ Competitions in 2013 and have earned several Grand Championships, Reserve Grand Championships, many top 10 category and overall awards including Shannon becoming the 2017 Cowboy Charcoal Fire and Ice Champion at the World Food Championships. While competition cooking is their passion, they are also certified KCBS BBQ judges. They have 5 dogs, 2 of which travel to most competitions with them - best taste testers in the world! In 2018, they plan to donate a percentage of their winnings to a deserving charity for animals.
O.M.F. Barbeque
New Bern, NC
Dave Addington, Pitmaster
OMF Barbecue moved to New Bern from Las Vegas in January, 2022, and this is their first full year of competition. They started in fall of 2021. Dave has been smoking and grilling for about 15 years and last year decided to enter a competition in Arizona. They placed 3rd in pork and 3rd in Brisket, 7th overall and they were hooked!!
New Bern, NC
Dave Addington, Pitmaster
OMF Barbecue moved to New Bern from Las Vegas in January, 2022, and this is their first full year of competition. They started in fall of 2021. Dave has been smoking and grilling for about 15 years and last year decided to enter a competition in Arizona. They placed 3rd in pork and 3rd in Brisket, 7th overall and they were hooked!!
Old Virginia Smoke
Bristow, VA
Luke Darnell, Pitmaster
Bristow, VA
Luke Darnell, Pitmaster
Optimus Swine 757
Williamsburg, VA
Jon Wade, Pitmaster
We are Optimus Swine, 2021 MABA backyard team of the year, 1st place chicken backyard team of the year, and 4th place rib team of the year. 5th place KCBS backyard chicken team of the year. We have moved to Masters division in 2022, and predominantly cook in the Mid Atlantic.
Team is comprised of brothers Jon and Jason Wade, and Jon’s son Alex from Williamsburg, Va.
Williamsburg, VA
Jon Wade, Pitmaster
We are Optimus Swine, 2021 MABA backyard team of the year, 1st place chicken backyard team of the year, and 4th place rib team of the year. 5th place KCBS backyard chicken team of the year. We have moved to Masters division in 2022, and predominantly cook in the Mid Atlantic.
Team is comprised of brothers Jon and Jason Wade, and Jon’s son Alex from Williamsburg, Va.
Poke N Smoke
Raleigh, NC
Chris Safley, Pitmaster
Raleigh, NC
Chris Safley, Pitmaster
Redneck Scientific
Clayton, NC
Jerry Stephenson, Jr., Pitmaster
Redneck Scientific started competing on the KCBS circuit in 2011 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Since then, the team has walked in almost every competition, received dozens of first place category finishes, brought home multiple perfect 180-category scores, and have multiple Grand Championship and Reserve Grand Championship wins. Head Pitmaster, Jerry Stephenson, Jr., grew up in eastern North Carolina. He learned to cook whole hog at an early age and came to appreciate not only the fine taste of eastern N.C. pulled pork, but also the camaraderie and fellowship that come with standing around a pit. He founded Redneck Scientific in 2010 and quickly became engaged in the KCBS world of pork, chicken, brisket and ribs. Jerry’s sister Roxanne Manley works alongside Jerry at competitions, while his wife, Liz Stephenson and two daughters, Elle and Fiona, come out when they can. The team has traveled across North Carolina, west to Las Vegas, down to Florida and up into Pennsylvania earning walks and ribbons competing in Multiple American Royal World Series of BBQ, the World Food Championships, Sam’s Club National BBQ tour Finals and over 100 other KCBS contests including a draw for the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational BBQ. Jerry creates his own sauces and cooks on Backwoods using Royal Oak Charcoal, BBQ Guru controllers, Oakridge BBQ rubs and Mojobricks for added smoke flavor. Redneck Scientific also builds ugly drum smokers that are handcrafted in North Carolina. In 2017, Jerry realized a life-long dream and opened a small restaurant in Benson, NC at McGee’s Crossroads. The Redneck BBQ Lab opened in January 2017 and features Redneck Scientific recipes. They use sauce and rubs honed from years of competitions and caterings. Side items are made fresh every day, and of course, the Lab features Cheerwine. Jerry’s sister, Roxanne, handled all the interior work. The walls are covered with vintage photographs of local Johnston County families working in fields, harvesting tobacco or standing in front of old farm houses. Antique tobacco baskets and signs adorn the walls, and hand painted murals are outside. The Lab is located at 12101 NC 210, Benson, better known as exit 319 off I-40 at McGee’s Crossroads.
Clayton, NC
Jerry Stephenson, Jr., Pitmaster
Redneck Scientific started competing on the KCBS circuit in 2011 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Since then, the team has walked in almost every competition, received dozens of first place category finishes, brought home multiple perfect 180-category scores, and have multiple Grand Championship and Reserve Grand Championship wins. Head Pitmaster, Jerry Stephenson, Jr., grew up in eastern North Carolina. He learned to cook whole hog at an early age and came to appreciate not only the fine taste of eastern N.C. pulled pork, but also the camaraderie and fellowship that come with standing around a pit. He founded Redneck Scientific in 2010 and quickly became engaged in the KCBS world of pork, chicken, brisket and ribs. Jerry’s sister Roxanne Manley works alongside Jerry at competitions, while his wife, Liz Stephenson and two daughters, Elle and Fiona, come out when they can. The team has traveled across North Carolina, west to Las Vegas, down to Florida and up into Pennsylvania earning walks and ribbons competing in Multiple American Royal World Series of BBQ, the World Food Championships, Sam’s Club National BBQ tour Finals and over 100 other KCBS contests including a draw for the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational BBQ. Jerry creates his own sauces and cooks on Backwoods using Royal Oak Charcoal, BBQ Guru controllers, Oakridge BBQ rubs and Mojobricks for added smoke flavor. Redneck Scientific also builds ugly drum smokers that are handcrafted in North Carolina. In 2017, Jerry realized a life-long dream and opened a small restaurant in Benson, NC at McGee’s Crossroads. The Redneck BBQ Lab opened in January 2017 and features Redneck Scientific recipes. They use sauce and rubs honed from years of competitions and caterings. Side items are made fresh every day, and of course, the Lab features Cheerwine. Jerry’s sister, Roxanne, handled all the interior work. The walls are covered with vintage photographs of local Johnston County families working in fields, harvesting tobacco or standing in front of old farm houses. Antique tobacco baskets and signs adorn the walls, and hand painted murals are outside. The Lab is located at 12101 NC 210, Benson, better known as exit 319 off I-40 at McGee’s Crossroads.
Smokin Skullies
Goldsboro, NC
Brian Corbett, Pitmaster
Goldsboro, NC
Brian Corbett, Pitmaster
Swig-N-Pig
Williamston, SC
Andrew Massey, Pitmaster
Swig-N-Pig started in the BBQ competition world in 2007. They dove into the KCBS world head-first in 2014 and have not looked back. Their motto is "Family, Friends, and BBQ".
Williamston, SC
Andrew Massey, Pitmaster
Swig-N-Pig started in the BBQ competition world in 2007. They dove into the KCBS world head-first in 2014 and have not looked back. Their motto is "Family, Friends, and BBQ".
Tuff Smoke BBQ
Smithfield, NC
Keith Olive, Pitmaster
This will be our first year cooking with the Kings of Q and our second year cooking on the KCBS circuit. The team is led by Pitmaster Keith Olive with help from his wife Amanda Olive and their family. We are an devoted team still striving to reach our first grand championship.
Smithfield, NC
Keith Olive, Pitmaster
This will be our first year cooking with the Kings of Q and our second year cooking on the KCBS circuit. The team is led by Pitmaster Keith Olive with help from his wife Amanda Olive and their family. We are an devoted team still striving to reach our first grand championship.
Twisted Pair BBQ
Raleigh, NC
George DeMartz, Pitmaster
Team “Twisted Pair BBQ” is located in Raleigh, NC and is comprised of George DeMartz, Pitmaster, Dexter Gupton, assistant Pitmaster, and Steven Gentzler, assistant Pitmaster. The team formed about 5 years ago among co-workers in Raleigh, NC and expanded to include Steven in late 2016 after cooking with him for over a year. We’ve greatly expanded our competition cooking schedule this year from a typical of 3 KCBS events and 5 or 6 NCPC whole hog events to 11 KCBS events, 3 NC Pork Council Whole Hog Competitions and a couple other select specialty “Back-Yard” events. We’ve been fortunate enough to have our fair share of calls and walks in the 3rd thru 10th range in the individual KCBS categories; however we are still chasing that ever elusive GC or RGC finish! We are a fairly serious competition team and are gaining respect on the circuit each year! We love what we do and truly enjoy the science behind the cooking. We truly enjoy our BBQ family that we’ve met on the circuit and look forward to each competition so that we can renew old friendships or kindle new ones.
Our goal this year is to consistently finish in the top 10 team within the events we are c
competing in while continuing to improve on our BBQ skills! Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TwistedPairBBQ/!
Raleigh, NC
George DeMartz, Pitmaster
Team “Twisted Pair BBQ” is located in Raleigh, NC and is comprised of George DeMartz, Pitmaster, Dexter Gupton, assistant Pitmaster, and Steven Gentzler, assistant Pitmaster. The team formed about 5 years ago among co-workers in Raleigh, NC and expanded to include Steven in late 2016 after cooking with him for over a year. We’ve greatly expanded our competition cooking schedule this year from a typical of 3 KCBS events and 5 or 6 NCPC whole hog events to 11 KCBS events, 3 NC Pork Council Whole Hog Competitions and a couple other select specialty “Back-Yard” events. We’ve been fortunate enough to have our fair share of calls and walks in the 3rd thru 10th range in the individual KCBS categories; however we are still chasing that ever elusive GC or RGC finish! We are a fairly serious competition team and are gaining respect on the circuit each year! We love what we do and truly enjoy the science behind the cooking. We truly enjoy our BBQ family that we’ve met on the circuit and look forward to each competition so that we can renew old friendships or kindle new ones.
Our goal this year is to consistently finish in the top 10 team within the events we are c
competing in while continuing to improve on our BBQ skills! Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TwistedPairBBQ/!
Vine Swamp BBQ
Winterville, NC
Doug Reynolds, Pitmaster
Winterville, NC
Doug Reynolds, Pitmaster
