Chris Ayres of Zia Smoke BBQ

My name is Dylan Cromer. I am 31 years old and man, do I love to cook BBQ! I grew up eating BBQ quite a bit with my dad. I used to watch him cook Boston butts, leg quarter chickens, and ribs on the weekends, learning as much as I could in the process. I started cooking BBQ on my own around the age of 18 and have grown from there. I gained an interest in competition BBQ from the show BBQ Pitmasters. A friend reached out to me because he was starting a small competition association and told me that a guy was looking for a teammate. I jumped at the opportunity and learned all I could. I decided I was ready to start my own team, and Holy Smoke BBQ team came to life. I have been competing for three years now, with one grand championship, two first-place wins, and multiple top-10 finishes. My favorite category to cook is Boston butt!

The Kairos origin story began as the culmination of another journey. Over a decade ago I made the decision to source my meat directly from a rancher. We were going halves on a cow before your neighbor thought it was cool. The next step was a journey that took years of learning how to hunt, successfully harvesting my first big game animal and sharing the story with my friends and family.

KRAM Knives is named after my family: Kimberly, Ryan, Andrew, and Makayla. I started my company after my wife was injured at work, which led me to take care of her at home. One day, feeling bored, I walked into the garage, heated a piece of metal, and began hammering it. Eventually, the metal started taking the shape of a knife, so I added a handle. After that initial attempt, I thought to myself, "I can do better than this," and I made another knife.  I sold my first knife to a friend who had specific requirements, and he was genuinely surprised that I could create exactly what he wanted. In 2023, I attended my first show and managed to sell all but four of the knives I had made. By 2025, I invested in a heat treat oven, allowing me to start making stainless steel knives. I also began promoting my business on TikTok, which has helped me reach a wider audience.

We started our journey in 2018 with our first competition at Tomato Days, where we earned a reserve grand champion title. From that moment on, we were hooked. Initially, there were four of us on the team, but as life got in the way, two members dropped out. However, Mitch and I continued to pursue our passion. Our first KCBS competition took place in Bullhead City, where we met Anthony. It was there that we realized just how much we still had to learn. While focusing on mastering the four meats, we also got involved with the SCA, where we found success. We received invitations to the world championships four times in a row, and Mitch performed well enough to advance to the next round. In 2024, we decided we were ready to fully commit to KCBS and set ambitious goals, including a desire to compete at The Jack. Despite facing setbacks, we persevered. Although we didn't receive an invitation last year, we continued to push ourselves harder. I told Mitch that all I wanted for our anniversary was to attend The Jack, and we achieved that dream. We had an amazing time, and this experience has only fueled our determination to return.

We're catching up with our favorite barbecue and bourbon aficionados!!

Before becoming a BBQ chef, I was a firefighter and worked in EMS. I got into BBQ watching my dad cook on his Weber Kettle grill as a kid. After a nasty divorce, the BBQs stopped, and it became just a memory after watching some YouTube videos on BBQ (BBQ Pit Boys, HowtoBBQright, Meat Church, etc.). I decided to purchase my first smoker on Amazon. Many years later, we developed the Michigan BBQ Addicts. We were founded on the idea that anyone can cook Pit Master quality BBQ free of judgment. We got our start in the height of the pandemic when all we had time for was cooking at home. After getting ROASTED online for sharing a recipe on a Meat Church Congregation page on Facebook, my wife and I decided we would make a group that inspired learning in a judgment-free environment. We started a Facebook group in 2020, then launched our TikTok page in July 2021. From there, we blew up online! In October of 2021, I lost my job due to the pandemic. This gave me time to focus on my content until I could find a job. We made lemonade with the lemons we got and started Roll for BBQ after watching Adventures in Aardia on TikTok. This really helped us grow into the DnD community in a way we never would have predicted. Since then, we've been viewed over 30 million times on all our platforms and continue to grow daily! We now work closely with Char-Griller Grills, How to BBQ Right, Royal Oak Charcoal, The Caveman Style Knives, and Yeti Coolers. I went from watching my dad BBQ for us to having him watch me cook at a professional level. Our next big front is navigating the ever-changing TikTok platform and growing our community with a Baby.  

Les Hatter, over 35 years of restaurant experience, from the dishroom to the boardroom. Full service to Fast casual and everything in between. Currently Operating Partner for the Franchise of Five Guys in Central Florida. However, my love of everything restaurant-related has brought me extensive knowledge. I intend to grow our "flaseasonings" but we all have to start somewhere! Join us for a live tasting event featuring the delightful flavors of Florida Chicken Seasoning! Experience the perfect blend of herbs and spices that will take your chicken dishes to the next level. Whether you're grilling, baking, or frying, this seasoning adds a zesty twist to any meal. During the event, we'll show you some delicious recipes, share cooking tips, and answer any questions you may have about using Florida Chicken Seasoning. Don't miss this opportunity to taste the sunshine of Florida in every bite!

Matt Scott, a passionate co-founder of The True Board, brings his vision of enhancing dining experiences from his Montana roots to the sunny climes of Southern California. With a notable 26-year career in the medical device field and as a proud father, Matt infuses his life's work with a commitment to community and sustainability. His entrepreneurial spirit doesn't stop there; as co-owner of Kingdom Outdoor Living, he helps clients achieve their dream living spaces, emphasizing solar power for a sustainable future. Matt's life is a tapestry of professional success, fatherhood, coaching, and even authorship, with his children's book series promoting positivity and success. Jonny Fraser Regnery, the creative powerhouse behind The True Board, combines his entertainment industry charisma with a hands-on approach to carpentry, a skill honed from his farm upbringing and a grandparent's influence. An Indiana University alum with a substantial acting career, Jonny found a parallel calling in construction, showcasing his craftsmanship in various high-profile projects. His entrepreneurial journey began with JF Designs and continued with Kingdom Outdoor Living, co-founded with Matt.

Chris Marks is a renowned pitmaster and the driving force behind Three Little Pigs BBQ Rubs & Sauces. Hailing from Kansas City, he has established himself as a leading figure in the barbecue world. Marks boasts an impressive competitive record, having secured over 50 national barbecue championships and more than 600 individual awards. Notably, he is an eight-time Grand Champion of the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, the most in the event's history, and has also triumphed at the Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue Beyond competitions, Chris serves as the Chief BBQ Expert (CBBQE) at Three Little Pigs, where he collaborates with specialty dealers across the U.S. to develop premier BBQ destinations. He is also dedicated to mentoring aspiring pitmasters and offers BBQ classes to share his expertise. Chris has taught over 560 BBQ classes throughout the world, including USA, Australia, Canada, and Mexico. Marks has been featured on the Food Channel's "Taste of America" and the Travel Channel's "BBQ Battle," among other media appearances, further cementing his status in the barbecue community. His product line, Three Little Pigs BBQ Rubs & Sauces, includes award-winning rubs like the Kansas City Sweet BBQ Rub and the Touch of Cherry BBQ Rub, as well as the Competition BBQ Sauce, all of which have been instrumental in his competition successes. Three Little Pigs BBQ Rubs and Sauces are available worldwide at leading retailers, including Ace Hardware, Lowe's, Home Depot, Rural King, Meijer stores and hundreds of specialty BBQ stores. Our products are trusted by BBQ enthusiasts for their unbeatable flavor and quality." Accolades: Chris Marks, the pitmaster behind Three Little Pigs BBQ Rubs & Sauces, has garnered numerous accolades throughout his illustrious career: American Royal World Series of Barbecue: Marks holds the record with eight BBQ Grand Championships, the most in the event's history. Including three-time side dish Grand Champion and over 14 category 1st place awards. Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue: He has secured the Grand Championship title at this prestigious competition. National Competitions: Over his career, Marks has amassed more than 50 national BBQ championships and over 600 individual awards. Social Media Handles: Facebook: @ThreeLittlePigsBBQRubs Instagram: @threelittlepigsbbqrubs Tik Tok: @threelittlepigsbbq You Tube: @ChrisMarksBBQ

Mom of three, Kara, has been busy this year! From reaching over 60,000 followers, getting television spots with Food Network Canada, and continuing to work with some of the biggest names in the BBQ business. She is reaching new heights and bigger goals than ever! Join us to catch up and find out what's next for Kara, "that" BBQ mom from Canada.