He’s lived the American Dream, a United States Navy veteran who worked the overnight shift at the Des Moines, Iowa, water treatment plant. During his spare time, Moe Cason fired up the smoker and dabbled in competition BBQ. On a suggestion from the legendary Johnny Trigg, “Big Moe” sent in an audition video for the groundbreaking BBQ television pro…

In this week's episode we get into some catering tips! From tools to use, response times, setup and more!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

On Episode 273 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we learn about a new competition and festival in mid-Missouri that will include three sanctioning bodies. It’s the Buds, Blues & BBQ in Columbia, Sept. 13-14, with opportunities to enter the KCBS Master’s Series regular comp plus one-meat chicken cook, a Steak Cookoff Association comp and the new Rib…

In this week's episode Darren shares some of his competition tricks with us! We also get into testing new breakfast items, what's going on with Randy's food truck, and more!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

Whether it’s cooking in the backyard or the highest level of competition, Christie Vanover is someone who has been instrumental in helping open-fire cooks worldwide up their games since she launched her GirlsCanGrill.com website in 2015. With recipes, tips, product reviews and much more, it’s a one of the top resources available. Christie joins us …

In this week's episode we break down why prices at certain events between a music festival or the farmers market. Are the prices worth the amount of food you're getting? We talk about it! Darren also gives us an update on what's going on with the breakfast restaurant!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

Episode 271 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast has arrived and it has a variety of guests as we welcome the month of August. At the 7:58 mark, Emmy-award-winning television news producer turned author and now podcast host David Page returns to discuss his latest project. Page’s new podcast “Culinary Characters Unlocked” debuts Aug. 27 as he goes in-d…

In this week's episode we talk about the guys BBQ Pet Peeves, Superstitions, and Rituals at BBQ Competitions along with Darren's most recent win and Randy's meet up with some old college buddies!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

It’s become one of the jewels on the late-season KCBS calendar, a doubleheader to cap the points season. But only a few days ago, the 4th annual Boo-B-Que was on the verge of cancellation. No worries. The Oct. 25-27 event in Oak Grove, Mo., will go on after Greg Hastie, who began the event three years ago but had too much on his plate to run it aga…

In this week's episode we do a little catching up! We talk about Randy's time at the Windy City Smokeout, Darren's recent BBQ contest in Wisconsin, what's coming up with Darren's breakfast restaurant, and more!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

After running hard in 2023, cooking 44 contests as he successfully chased KCBS Team of the Year honors, Jordan Kirkpatrick and Janky Leg BBQ has slowed the pace a bit this season. But after an addition to the family and a home remodel project, Janky Leg is back and ready for a big second half, evidenced by the team’s first GC of the year last weeke…

In this week's episode we take a little trip down memory lane! Darren and Randy share some of their competition BBQ stories from over the years!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

On Episode 268 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we visit with one of the top teams on the West Coast - and one of the best in the USA. Dave and Shirin Mara from Meat Candy Q out of El Cajon, Calif., is enjoying a terrific 2024 season with one KCBS Grand Championship and and three RGCs in just 10 competitions. Meat Candy is sixth in the Team of the…

In this week's episode we get in to the process of starting a business when you're building in a small town or the city! Things you have to pay attention to, people you have to work with, etc.By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

Happy 4th of July to all! To celebrate, Episode 267 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast features two great guests. Leading off is one of the best to ever light a pit, BBQ Hall of Famer Darren Warth from Iowa Smokey D’s. While he’s won more than 100 grand championships during his career, including multiple majors, Darren accomplished a first last weeke…

In this week's episode we recap Darren's last BBQ competition out in Idaho. He gives us a little insight on the adversity he faced to get the win! We also talk about new equipment for Randy's food truck along with some great BBQ ideas for the 4th of July!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

Mike and Nichole Mulkey of Mulkey’s BBQ from St. Louis are one of the many successful husband-wife competition BBQ teams in the country. On Episode 266 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we learn how they work together after Mulkey’s won the Grand Championship at the 172-team Great Lenexa BBQ Battle. The back-to-back St. Louis BBQ Society Team of th…

In this week's episode Darren gives some great tips on grilling this summer, Randy talks about the heat effecting business, and PLOT TWIST the guys tell Emma about a viral TikTok going around right now.By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

We asked for nominations for up-and-coming competition BBQ pitmasters or teams and our listeners delivered with lots of great suggestions. This week on Episode 265 of the Tailgate Guys BBGQ Podcast, we bring you an extended “Under the Radar” segment with Joe Wilson and B.J. Searcy from the northern California team Cherry Anchor BBQ. Despite only do…

In this week's episode Darren is back! We talk about his trip, Randy's FFA Convention, and things going on at all of Darren's restaurants.By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

On Episode 264 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, our “Under the Radar” segment returns by popular demand. This week, our look at an up-and-coming pitmaster focuses on Kansas City’s Lane York of Aww Shucks BBQ. York’s primary focus has been on KCBS Backyard competition so far, but he’s done well in limited Masters’ Series attempts and does so withou…

In this week's episode there is no Darren so Emma and Randy dive into all things Food Truck! From things Randy wants to work on, to the future, to the ambience.By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

It’s an action packed Episode 263 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast with an assortment of guests with good info and stories to tell. First up at the 9:26 mark is Charles Simpson, with a preview of the National High School BBQ Championships coming up this weekend (June 7-9) in Branson, Missouri. As director of the Missouri High School BBQ Association…

In this week's episode we have some special guests! Randy's employees join us for a little bit of the episode to give their point of view of the the business. We also get into some of the dos and don'ts of cooking, cooling, and retherming your meat.By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

The 6th annual KCBS World Invitational was held over Memorial Day Weekend in Lebanon, Tenn., and on Episode 262 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast we talk it over with both of the big winners. Drew Davis of Razorracks BBQ out of Pleasant Plains, Ark., has won 28 KCBS Grand Championships during his career. But Drew and wife Chelsey picked up their big…

In this week's episode we answer some of your questions on maximizing profitability on menus, how to utilize products, and more!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

We’re all about celebrating the iconic BBQ teams on the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, but we also love to shine the spotlight on those up-and-coming teams who achieve big things. This week on Episode 261, we focus on Barking Dog BBQ out of Kansas City, a team of childhood friends Dave Lillis, Kevin Bunting and Brian Tuttle. Barking Dog BBQ (we explore…

In this week's episode we have another catch all. We get into Food Truck moves for Randy and Darren, recent BBQ Competitions, and everything else going on for the guys!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

Episode 260 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast takes us to the Phoenix area to visit with Kyle Matuszewski, owner-operator of Your Behind BBQ restaurant in Florence. Kyle is a long-time competitor on the Steak Cookoff Association and KCBS trails and he’s parlayed that success into a red-hot start in the restaurant business. Kyle breaks down his story…

In this week's episode we just decided to do a little catching up. We talked about TikTok trends, the new breakfast restaurant, Randy's food truck moving, and more!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

When we’re asked about BBQ restaurant recommendations in the St. Louis area, Heavy Smoke BBQ always is at the top of our list. On Episode 259 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we talk it over with Chris Schafer, the owner-operator of Heavy Smoke BBQ about the constantly overlapping thrills and challenges of the restaurant industry. Chris also is on…

The fun continues with PART TWO of our 1 Year Anniversary episode with more guests and more into what we think the future of this podcast holds for us!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

One of the greatest to light a pit - and a great friend of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Show since the beginning on local, low-powered radio - joins us for an extended conversation on Episode 258. Brad Leighninger just passed the 11-year anniversary of his first BBQ Grand Championship. Now, 70 GCs later, Gettin’ Basted is a three-time KCBS Team of the Yea…

This week's episode is very special because WE MADE IT 1 WHOLE YEAR OF RECORDING! Emma took the lead this week and actually had a couple of surprises for the guys while we also recapped the last year of podcasting. Note: This episode will be two parter so make sure you tune in to episode 55 next week too!…

On Episode 257 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we talk it over with one of world’s hottest pitmasters. Eric Coley from Alabama’s Poppa Pig BBQ is leading the KCBS Team of the Year standings with three Grand Championships and seven top-10 finishes in eight 2024 competitions. It’s a start that’s signaled a breakthrough after Eric went through a two…

In this week's episode we find out what's going on with Randy's food truck, the new name of Darren's breakfast restaurant, and then we get into some tips and things to make on a flat top grill for those getting into them this summer!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

Jon and Jason Wade of Optimus Swine BBQ out of Williamsburg, Virginia have one of the hottest competition BBQ teams around. Since moving into the KCBS Master’s division a couple of years ago, the Wades have seven Grand Championships and seven RGCs in 63 competitions. They also own and operate two BBQ restaurants in the Williamsburg area, Two Drumme…

In this week's episode we talk about Darren's next business venture, BREAKFAST! From naming the restaurant, to menu, to business aesthetic, we talk about it all.By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

Based in north central North Dakota, Burnt Trees BBQ has a long haul no matter where it goes for a competition. But the husband-wife team of Nick and Shannon Holman is almost always a contender when it arrives, with its 2024 debut proving the point. Burnt Trees BBQ captured the 97-team Smoke in the Spring in Osage City, Kansas, topping the 700-poin…

In this week's episode we talk about some of the bigger restaurant dilemmas that people are facing nowadays. Between the costs in products going up to raising wages, how do you make a profit?By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

There are dozens of options available these days for BBQ-themed podcasts, unlike just a few years ago when the options were relatively limited. One of the longest-running shows is Baseball and BBQ, with co-hosts Leonard Aberman and Jeff Cohen. Combining two of America’s favorite past times, Leonard and Jeff have found a sweet spot with engaging gue…

In this week's episode we talk about Randy's upcoming TV appearance, Darren's food truck testing and Emma's new approach on cooking and more!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

Welcome to Episode 253 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, where we’re joined by the founders of America’s foremost weekly digital news authority on live-fire cooking. It’s been a while since we visited with Ryan Cooper and Sean Ludwig from The Smoke Sheet. Their weekly newsletter that arrives in subscribers’ in-boxes each Wednesday and Friday with a…

In this week's episode we do a little catching up! Randy is thinking about starting a Food Truck class and getting people to work, Darren discusses things from new concepts in the area to what is going on in the beef world to working on attitude, and Emma is just along for the ride!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

Spring has officially arrived, which means there are BBQ competitions across the land each weekend from now through early November - not to mention hundreds of thousands of backyard cooks are firing up backyard smokers and grills. On Episode 252 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we talk to one of American’s most-colorful pitmasters and brand ambass…

In this week's episode we really talked about new menu items, adding to the business and St. Patrick's Day weekend! It was a little bit of everything and more.By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

It’s another guest-filled show on Episode 251 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Leading off is Joel Fleetwood of Meat Rushmore BBQ, which won three Grand Championships in 2023 on its way to an 11th-place finish in the KCBS Team of the Year standings. Joel also was recently voted president of the KCBS Board of Directors. We visit with Joel about his…

In this week's episode we discuss some of Darren's tips and tricks for those going to their first BBQ Competition. From things he would do, to things he would recommend, and more!By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford

On Episode 250 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we talk it over with two of competition BBQ’s top pitmasters - and most-colorful characters. First up is Richard Fergola from Fergolicious BBQ and marketing director of Proud Souls BBQ and Provisions. “Fergie” and the Proud Souls team is ready to throw a big first anniversary bash this Saturday, Marc…

In this week's episode we recap Randy's time at the Beef Expo and all the fun things at Darren's last BBQ Competition! It is an episode filled with interesting facts, wild comments, and more.By Darren Warth and Randy Twyford