What do you get when you mix five premium bourbons with delicious ribs prepared by the best pitmasters in America? The best barbecue block party Dallas has ever seen (or tasted)! If you’re a foodie who loves barbecue and bourbon, then mark your calendars for October 18th from 6p.m. - 10 p.m. for Bourb ‘N’ Que. This celebration of American flavors will be happening during the world’s largest Food Sport event, the World Food Championships (WFC), at Reunion Tower Lawn in Dallas, Texas.
This year’s WFC event is on track to be the largest food fight to date, with over 1,500 cooks traveling from around the globe to battle it out for ten category titles and a shot at its $350,000 prize purse.In addition to getting a front row seat to the world’s most intense cooking competition, WFC offers an array of special experiences, like Bourb‘N’Que, for foodies and families to sink their teeth into.
Bourb‘N’Que attendees will enjoy mouth-watering ribs from some of the best pitmasters in the country and have the opportunity to cast their vote for their favorite at the end of the night. While snacking on tasty ribs from the key barbecue regions (Carolinas, Texas, Memphis, St. Louis, Kansas City) guests will also sample bourbons from Brown Sugar Bourbon, Title No. 21, Crooked Fox, TX Bourbon, and Bulleit Bourbon. Live music will be provided by Nashville-based Rolling Smoke, which has released a theme song for WFC called “Eat it Up!”
“We are so excited to bring this fun event to Dallas and give foodies a taste of all different types of barbecue flavors from across the country,” said Mike McCloud, CEO and President of WFC. “We’ve enlisted the best pitmaster teams from across the country to prepare some mouth-watering barbecue for Dallas food fans.”
Get to know the pitmasters that will be competing in this people’s choice competition:
Boomerang BBQ
Team Members: Matt and Sarah Walker
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Number of Years Competing: Three years
How did you get into barbecue competitions?We went to a barbecue contest in 2003 with a friend and loved it. We couldn’t afford to do it ourselves until 2016, and now here we are!
What do you love about barbecue competitions?We love the competition, rivalries, and the wonderful people we meet on this journey.
Favorite barbecue memory:Getting our pit back after being stolen for seven long months. She boomeranged right back to us. This is how we became Boomerang BBQ.
Top barbecue accomplishments/award?
- #1 Team of the Year in Ribs 2018 “Rib King” Title KCBS
- #1 Team of the Year in Chicken 2018 KCBS
Flavor Profile:Texas Style
Smokin’ Triggers
Team Members: Johnny and Trish Trigg
Hometown: Alvarado, Texas
Number of Years Competing: 29 years
How did you get into barbecue competitions? I went to a cook-off in Dallas, Texas and decided this was something I want to do.
What do you love about barbecue competitions?We love meeting people and being able to cook.
Favorite barbecue memory:Going overseas and cooking for the military. Also, winning the Jack Daniels’ World Championship Invitational two times.
Top barbecue accomplishments/award?
- Appearing on TLC’s BBQ Pitmasters
- Winning KCBS Team of the Year in 2003
- Winning Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational in 2000 and 2003
- Cooking overseas for the Military
Flavor Profile:Texas Style
Fergolicious BBQ
Team Members: Richard Fergola and Rick Jimenez
Hometown: Gardner, Kansas
Number of Years Competing: Seven years
How did you get into barbecue competitions? Took the certified barbecue judging class to become a judge and the rest is history!
What do you love about barbecue competitions?The challenge of cooking at a high level and meeting new people from around the world.
Favorite barbecue memory:Being selected to appear on the hit TV series, “BBQ Pitmasters” in 2014.
Top barbecue accomplishments/award?
- 2015 Smokin’ Hot Cars Grand Champion.
- 2017 Smoke Out Hunger we got our first perfect 180 score
- 2012 Smoke on the Water Topeka, Kansas.
- Getting the phone call to appear on the TV show, “BBQ Pitmasters”
- Appearing on Food Network’s “Chopped”
Flavor Profile:Kansas City Style
Slap’s BBQ
Team Members: Joe Pearce
SHometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Number of Years Competing: Seven years
How did you get into barbecue competitions?We started cooking in barbecue competitions after devoting our life to the perfection of cooking in the backyard.
What do you love about barbecue competitions?The ability to compete against the best cooks in the country week after week.
Favorite barbecue memory:Winning my first contest in my hometown of Kansas City.
Top barbecue accomplishments/award?
- 2015 “BBQ Pitmasters” All-Star Team
- Top 15 team in KCBS Team of the Year Race the last three years (2016-2018)
- 2018 NBBQL Rib Champion
- 2018 NBBQL Brisket Champion
- 2014 Reserve Grand Champion on BBQ Pitmasters
Flavor Profile: Kansas City Style
Sugarfire
Team Members: Mike Johnson
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Number of Years Competing: 10 years
How did you get into barbecue competitions?Started with a restaurant and then went to Memphis in May and was hooked on competing ever since.
What do you love about barbecue competitions?I love seeing and hanging with friends the most.
Favorite barbecue memory:Being on “BBQ Pitmasters.”
Top barbecue accomplishments/award?
- Best BBQ in St. Louis in St. Louis Post Dispatch, St. Louis mag, and The Riverfront Times
- Winner of the Patriot Award from the U.S. government for hiring Veterans
- Two-time Seafood Champion at Memphis in May
Flavor Profile: St. Louis Style
Shake ‘n Bake BBQ
Team Members: Tim Scheer
Hometown:New Haven, Missouri
Number of Years Competing: Seven years
How did you get into barbecue competitions?I was born and raised on a hog farm, so I’ve been flipping hogs since day one.
Top barbecue accomplishments:
- 2017 KCBS Team of the Year Runner-Up2017 American Royal Pork Champion
- 2016 KCBS Pork Team of the Year
Flavor Profile: St. Louis Style
Gettin’ Basted
Team Members: Brad Leighninger
Hometown: Branson, Missouri
Number of Years Competing: Seven years
How did you get into barbecue competitions?I cooked at a local competition when a friend dropped out. We ended up getting three calls and winning a trip to Las Vegas.
Favorite barbecue memory: Winning the King of the Smoker 2018
Top barbecue accomplishments/award?
- 2015 KCBS Chicken Team of the Year
- 2017-2018 KCBS Pork Team of the Year
- 2018 King of the Smoker Grand Champion
- Jack Daniels World Pork Champion
- 2018 KCBS Team of the Year
- 2018 KCBS Brisket Team of the Year
Flavor Profile: Memphis Style
Dirt Road BBQ
Team Members: Ryan and Karen Murphy
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Number of Years Competing: Seven years
How did you get into barbecue competitions?Ryan’s sister and her husband convinced us to cook at a local non-sanctioned contest in the town they live in and we’ve been hooked ever since!
What do you love about barbecue competitions?The people you meet, the friends you make and the opportunity to do something competitive.
Favorite barbecue memory: Our first win at the Sam’s Club Invitational local event in Overland Park, Kansas.
Top barbecue accomplishments/award?
- 2018 1st Place, Perfect Perfect (180) Brisket at the American Royal Invitational
- 2017 1st Place Brisket in KCBS Team of the Year
- 2017 1st Place Brisket at the Sam’s Club Final
- 2014 American Royal Invitational Reserve Grand Champion
- 2014 2nd Place Chicken in KCBS Team of the Year
Flavor Profile: Memphis Style
The Smoking Hills
Team Members: Loren and Cheryl Hill
Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas
Number of Years Competing: 13 years
How did you get into barbecue competition? I quit stock car racing and needed a new hobby.
What do you love about barbecue competitions?The people
Favorite barbecue memory: Winning the World Food Champion title in 2015.
Top barbecue accomplishments/award?
- Winning the 2015 World Food Championships
- Winning the American Royal World Series of BBQ Invitational
- 26 Grand Championships
- 25 Reserve Grand Championships
- Competed in over 300 KCBS Competitions
Flavor Profile: Carolina Style
Rio Valley Meats
Team Members: Fred Robles, Roddy Trevino
Hometown: Weslaco, Texas
Number of Years Competing: Seven years
How did you get into barbecue competition?We started competition barbecue as a way to promote our butcher shop in our hometown. We went to a local competition and cooked a bunch of food to give away along with some flyers to potential customers. We ended up placing fifth place chicken that day among 149 teams and I was instantly hooked. Here we are seven years later still trying to perfect the craft.
What do you love about barbecue competitions? I love the spirit of competition. Although, we are all trying to beat our competitor and come out on top no one hesitates to help another team if they need something. The friendships garnered and the memories made are priceless.
Favorite barbecue memory: Winning the World Barbecue Championships in 2017 at WFC.
Top barbecue accomplishments/award?
- IBCA Top Cook of the Year 2016, 2017
- 2017 World Barbecue Champion at the World Food Championships
- Perfect Perfect Brisket at American Royal 2017
- World Food Final Table Runner up 2018
- Three-Time Automatic Qualifier to Jack Daniels World Championship BBQ
Flavor Profile: Carolina style
WFC’s Food Sport sponsors contributing to make this event a grand success include Blues Hog, Snake River Farms, Prairie Freshand Natural Tableware. Also, helping to make to this grand barbecue gathering a success is Whiskey Morning Coffee, who will have a sampling booth on-site and be providing the first 50 Bourb’N’Que guests a product goodie bag. North Texas Food Bankwill be on-site educating guests about their non-profit’s efforts in the Dallas area.
To purchase your tickets* to Bourb’N’Que**, click here.
*Ticket price includes general admission to WFC on Friday, October 18th.
** This event is 21 years and older.
To learn more about other special events happening at WFC, click here.
WFC’s 8th Annual Main Event is scheduled for October 16 – 20, 2019, at Reunion Tower Lawn in Dallas, Texas. To keep up with all WFC news, follow the event on Twitter (@WorldFoodChamp), Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships). Click here to book your room for #WFC2019.
About the World Food Championships: The World Food Championships (WFC) is the highest stakes food competition in the world. This multi-day, live-event culinary competition showcases some of the world's best cooking masters competing for food, fame and fortune in ten categories: Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Chef, Chili, Dessert, Recipe, Sandwich, Seafood and Steak. In 2018, over 1,500 contestants on nearly 500 official teams from 42 American states and 12 countries competed. More than 20 million people have attended WFC or have seen it on national TV over the past seven years. This year's Main Event will be held in Dallas, Texas at Reunion Tower Lawn, Oct. 16-20.
About the Dallas Sports Commission: The Dallas Sports Commission pursues amateur, grassroots, collegiate and professional championship events, positioning Dallas as the premier sports destination. A division of VisitDallas, the Dallas Sports Commission focuses on generating economic impact as well as improving the quality of life within the community through sports.
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