Join us to meet Walter Johnston with Michigan BBQ Addicts

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.

What started as a passion for cooking over fire quickly turned into a full-blown mission for me. My journey into BBQ began the way many great stories do—backyard cooks for family and friends, experimenting with rubs, sauces, and different pits until I found the flavors that truly spoke to me. I wasn't just cooking food—I was creating an experience. Over time, the spark grew into something bigger. I built Blazin Jett BBQ in Kokomo, Indiana, as more than just a name—it's a reflection of my drive, my style, and my belief that great BBQ brings people together. Whether it's firing up the Weber kettle with the vortex, running the Traeger, or lighting up the Su-V gun for that perfect sear, I love pushing boundaries and showing people there's always a new level of flavor waiting to be unlocked. I've taken my brand from backyard cooks to competitions, social media, and collaborations with companies I respect. Along the way, I've been blessed to connect with other pitmasters, creators, and BBQ lovers who've inspired me to keep going. My Goals: • Continue to grow Blazin Jett BBQ into a respected name in competition and content creation. • Represent and collaborate with brands that share my same passion for quality, innovation, and community. • Build products—rubs, sauces, and gear—that deliver the same bold, authentic flavor I stand behind. • Inspire others to fire up their pits, try new things, and enjoy the journey as much as the results. For me, BBQ isn't just food—it's fire, family, and fuel for creating unforgettable moments. And I'm just getting star

LB's BBQ was born in 2015, forged from a lifelong obsession with fire, flavor, and feeding people like family. But let's be real — LB's been cheffing it up since he was just four years old. This isn't just a hobby. It's in his DNA. Cooking isn't what he does — it's who he is. There's nothing LB loves more than seeing that first bite turn into a big-ass smile. That's the fuel behind every flame. These days, LB's BBQ is blowing up social media, especially over on TikTok, where the smoke is always rolling and the heat never drops. From Wing Wednesdays to Weber Lives, LB throws down live, uncut, and unfiltered — unboxing grills, testing limits, and serving up pure fire.

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.