Join us and Ryan Skjerdal of Q Cartel BBQ out of Canada, to discuss Competition BBQ in the Olympics

Jordan Davis, known to most as The Smoking Pastor, is the founder of The Smoking Pastor Project — a (501 (c) (3) nonprofit that shows up with fire and flavor to feed communities in need. Whether it’s a street corner pop-up or a full-scale relief event, Jordan’s mission is simple: craft smiles one bite at a time. He’s built a loyal following by combining real BBQ with real impact, proudly partnering with brands like FireDisc, The True Board, White’s Ace Hardware, Bartlow’s BBQ, and Killer Hogs — using gear he trusts to serve meals that matter. Jordan’s long-term goal? To become the nation’s largest producer of pre-packaged, fully cooked meats for food pantries — making it easier for families to access quality protein, no matter their circumstances. With a heart for the streets and a smoker that never cools down, The Smoking Pastor is all about serving others, telling honest stories, and bringing people together — one plate at a time

Chris and Christina Dunyon of SinBin BBQ are a Utah-based husband-and-wife team who have spent the last 4 years chasing their passion for competition barbecue in SCA, the World Food Championships, BBQ Backyard, and KCBS. What started as a backyard hobby quickly grew into a shared adventure. In the SCA, Chris has earned Golden Tickets in steak and Christina in ancillaries, and together they’ve been honored to qualify and compete at the SCA World Championships. At the World Food Championships, Christina’s 2nd place finish in Taste of America and Rookie of the Year award opened the door to 2024 and 2025 appearances, with Chris proudly serving as her sous chef. Their journey began in backyard BBQ contests, where they worked hard and were humbled to win their way into the KCBS Master Series in just 1.5 years. Since then, they’ve traveled across Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon, grateful to hear their names called at every KCBS contest this season, including earning 2 Reserved Grand Champions and 2 coveted 700 Club scores. Off the circuit, Chris works as a master electrician, Christina manages a school kitchen, and together they raise their blended family of 8 kids—always thankful for the chance to cook, compete, and share great BBQ with others.      

Sarah Penrod is a former private chef to Texas’ biggest names, a recurring Food Network personality, and the one-time Texas Ambassador to the White House’s Chefs Move to Schools program—where she heroically tried (and sometimes failed) to convince kids to swap Cheetos for carrots. She’s the creator of Urban Cowgirl, one of the largest Texas recipe blogs in the world, a bestselling cookbook of the same name, and is usually found wandering the Yucatan studying barbecue and outdoor cooking beyond the limits of US traditions. These days, she’s found on Instagram dropping barbecue wisdom, weeknight recipes with main character energy, and plenty of laughs for home cooks who believe brisket counts as a love language.

Ryan Skjerdal of Q Cartel BBQ, a Saskatchewan, Canada–based team that’s quickly making an impact on the KCBS circuit, has turned just 11 contests alongside cooking partner Ryan Bachmire into 3 Grand Championships, 1 Reserve Grand Championship and nine top-ten finishes. Their breakout 2024 season capped off with Rookie Team of the Year for Canada and Team of the Year in Saskatchewan honors. Off the pit, Ryan runs multiple trades and restoration businesses—and was named Saskatchewan’s 2023 Young Entrepreneur of the Year. He also squeezes in stand-up comedy whenever he can. A passionate advocate for competitive barbecue, he’s now pushing KCBS to pursue Olympic recognition for the sport.

Aly Romero is a private chef and cookbook author based in Southlake, TX, with over 25 years of culinary experience. She has showcased her skills in televised culinary competitions on Good Morning and the Food Network. As a private chef, Aly prepares gourmet meals for celebratory dinners, milestone birthdays, and small company events, including government officials and professional athletes. Passionate about outdoor cooking, Aly specializes in grilling, smoking, and griddling, bringing her unique culinary take to BBQ which includes flavors and ingredients that have been inspired by the places she's lived and traveled. Aly has been a brand ambassador for Traeger for years, promoting her philosophy that anything you can cook inside, you can cook outside. Her first book, "Gas Fire Heat", explores the diverse flavors and cultures from her travels, offering a fresh, culinary twist on BBQ that goes beyond the traditional.

Tuffy's BBQ team is celebrating their recent Grand Champion win from the Best Dam Barbecue Challenge, which earned them an invite to the Jack! We are so excited for this Utah Team!!

Evie and Eli are a dynamic duo with a deep love for food, adventure, and building unforgettable experiences. Based in Las Vegas, they’re both certified SCA judges, and passionate foodies. Eli is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, global traveler, and expert builder of custom off-road vehicles. In 2023, he introduced the Military Class to King of the Hammers—his own creation, inspired by converting a 2011 Armorworks Hyena Military Prototype into an Ultra4 race truck. Evie is a top-tier Google Maps restaurant reviewer—ranked in the top 10 worldwide—a creator of unforgettable events, and the designer behind the off-road vehicle that took her and Eli to second place in their class at the 2022 Mint 400. Known for her unique blend of creativity and authenticity, she turns every experience into something truly special. THE VENUE In Spring 2024, they purchased a 5-acre property in Homewood Canyon just outside Death Valley National Park and opened Base Camp Death Valley as an event venue in March 2025. The centerpiece is the Desert Rose Manor, a 6,000 sq ft, four-story colonial home featuring stunning exterior wrought ironwork by the late Raymon Larose—a legendary West Coast blacksmith whose work graces the homes of Frank Sinatra and Barbra Walters, and properties owned by Paramount, Universal, Disney Studios, MGM Grand, as well as creations for Barry Manilow, Michael Jackson, The Osmond Family, and many more. While the Manor’s interior is currently undergoing a careful remodel, the exterior will be beautifully finished in time for the October 2025 event—offering a gorgeous backdrop. Guests at Base Camp Death Valley can enjoy one of Larose’s remarkable creations up close—the wedding arch made from wrought iron gates originally crafted for Barbra Walters’ house. Though these gates were damaged by a visitor before they could be shipped, Larose rebuilt a new set and later repaired the originals. The restored gates now serve as a striking and historic backdrop for the wedding ceremony area, offering attendees a unique glimpse into the artistry that enriches the property. Don’t let the reputation of the Death Valley heat scare you away—Base Camp sits at a refreshing 3,000 feet in elevation, often 5–10 degrees cooler than Las Vegas, NV. October temperatures are ideal, and the night sky? Absolutely unreal. As a designated 100% DarkZone, Base Camp offers one of the clearest, darkest stargazing experiences on Earth. THE EVENT On October 11, 2025, they’ll host the inaugural Sizzlin at Sunset Steak Cookoff, a fully SCA-sanctioned event featuring Golden Ticket opportunities for Steak and Ancillaries—making it the final qualifying event before the SCA World Championships in Fort Worth March 2026. And because ticket winners can’t take home more than one Golden Ticket in a category, it’s a prime opportunity for novice competitors to snag a spot. The legendary Ken Phillips, SCA Co-Founder, will serve as the SCA event rep. Competitors can camp onsite(limited spaces available) or take advantage of discounted lodging in nearby Ridgecrest, CA (just 37 miles away). Whether you're a seasoned competitor or a backyard cook ready to try your hand, the Sizzlin at Sunset Steak Cookoff is shaping up to be one of the most exciting, welcoming, and visually stunning events of the season.

A long time ago on a planet called earth in the same galaxy we live in, there was a boy who in his teens got a job at a bbq restaurant and fell in love with bbq. His name is Bryan Odom. This is my adventure. While i was 19 and managing the kitchen at a bbq restaurant i decided on the crazy idea to join the U.S. Marines. While traveling around I ate at a lit of bbq restaurants and wanted to define my pallet more in different flavors. All the way from west coast to east and southern coast. The thought is what if. What if we could meld them together. I sat down and was trying out how to design bbq blends to incorporate Kc and Texas (family from both states). Nc and Kc. How about all 3. I came up with the original and the hot n bothered. the hot n bothered isnt really all that spicy hot. it has a hint of vinegar powder and sirracha powder to it. I felt a great chicken and brisket run to show the texas roots was our Twisted Texas rub married to Kansas city. Thru the years i kept a journal and kept playing with more flavors. I backed away from comps and bbq for family time. About just over 4 years ago i stepped back into the world of bbq and competition. I brought out all our flavors i use on a daily basis, adding my addicted to the Q line of white noise (garlicy butter salt with a kick) and the savory pecan. In total i have 10 flavors with 5 more not released burning a hole in my journal. In the last 4 years we have acquired around 25+ bbq spice/seasoning awards for our seasonings includidng 1st in pork, 1st beef, 1st chicken, 2nd best rub on the planet, 3rd best rub on the planet. multiple 1st thru 10 in all meat and fish categories. It's been ups and downs, lots of competitions and lots of calls either me cooking or helping friends. It's been a ride and I continue to push for the next level. Just wait and see if I can get some plans I'm working on to happen, it will be huge!!

Pitmaster at Smokin X | Founder of Smokin Swag Apparel | Creator of Award-Winning Seasonings John Reeves has been the dedicated Pitmaster at Smokin X since 2010, earning a reputation for excellence in barbecue. As the winner of The Grill of Victory “Lone Star Smokers” on the Travel Channel, John has showcased his skill and passion for the craft on a national stage. In addition to his work at Smokin X, John is the founder and a board member of The Raider Red Meats BBQ and Ribeye Championship at Texas Tech University, helping to shape the future of BBQ at one of the nation’s leading institutions. John is also the founder of Smokin Swag Apparel, a brand that embodies the spirit of barbecue culture. He is the creator of an award-winning line of seasoning and rubs, recognized for their exceptional flavors and high quality

Tony Ramirez, also known as TFTI BBQ on social media, has spent nearly twenty years perfecting his backyard barbecue skills in the Bay Area, California. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Tony is self-taught, inspired by his Filipino and Cajun heritage, his beloved parents, and a passion for BBQ Pitmasters reruns, YouTube tutorials, and personal culinary experiments. What started in 2021 as a hobby of posting BBQ pictures and videos has since evolved into a full-time career, with Tony partnering with major brands like Miller Lite, Char-Griller, Reynolds Brands, and Tony Chachere’s. His unique, approachable flavor combinations and techniques, which sometimes bend traditional barbecue “rules,” have earned him a beloved spot in the live-fire BBQ community. Find him online on all major social media platforms as TFTI BBQ.