Char Champion

We are proud to announce the first-ever Char Champion is… Mike Caruso! 👑 The former detective, now food industry salesperson, loves brisket and pork butt and opts for the low-and-slow technique when preparing his favorite dishes.

🥩 “Since retiring as a police officer, smoking meat has become a passion! I enjoy the whole process; I love learning and bringing people together,” he said.

Mike will share his story in the pages of Barbecue News Magazine, take home a Yoder Smokers trailer rig, enjoy a VIP experience at the 2022 American Royal World Series of Barbecue, and receive $5,000 — which he plans on donating to the Naomi House, a charity that helps victims of human trafficking.

We want to thank the entire Char Champion family—you and your supporters—for making our first-ever Char Champion Competition a success. We've loved interacting with you and wish you the best success! 🔥

The Char Champion Competition supports the James Beard Foundation’s mission to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture. The Foundation pushes for new standards in the restaurant industry and strives to create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We all have standards when it comes to the food we consume, and the James Beard Foundation is a major proponent of setting standards within the food industry.

Nothing says summer holiday quite like this custom Yoder Smokers grill 🇺🇸 and we can't think of a better way to celebrate freedom than with friends, family, and the outdoors. What are you throwing on your grill for Independence Day this year? 🥩

Shout-out to 2022 James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award winner, Solly's Grille in Milwaukee, WI.

From James Beard Foundation Greens:

"Minnesota might be home to the juicy lucy, but its neighbor Wisconsin is home to the butter burger. While there may be claims as to who invented this rich, creamy, and meaty sandwich that pays tribute to Wisconsin’s dairy heritage, it’s Solly’s Grille that put it on the map. Created in 1936 by Kenneth “Solly” Salmon, this sandwich features ground sirloin with stewed onions with the crowning glory of farm-fresh Wisconsin butter that overflows onto the plate. People from far and wide make the pilgrimage to this family-owned Milwaukee restaurant, an institution that boasts the use of over 130 pounds of butter per week."

Cheers! Enjoy a safe and responsible Memorial Day Weekend!

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Get familiar with our sponsor and be sure to give them a follow!

The first US summer holiday is coming up! What's on the menu for your Memorial Day Weekend?

Say "hey" to our awesome sponsor Porter Road Founded by chefs and butchers Chris Carter and James Peisker in Nashville, this is meat the way meat should be—without antibiotics, added hormones, or fillers. Fully pasture-raised craft beef, pork, and chicken from farms in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania, delivered right to your door. Once you taste the difference, you’ll never go back.

Give them a follow and check out their shop: https://porterroad.com/

Meet our awesome sponsor Jack Stack Barbecue To stand out in the competitive Kansas City barbecue scene of the mid 1970s, Jack Fiorella and his wife, Delores, began cooking gourmet meats over hickory wood and created the most extensive barbecue menu in the country. Be sure to give them a follow—and check out Jack Stack’s nationwide shipping packages at ship.jackstackbbq.com to enjoy some KC ‘Cue anytime, anywhere!

Our awesome sponsor American Royal Association is contributing some cool swag, as well as the grand prize VIP experience at this years World Series of Barbecue! Show them some love in the comments.

"A Kansas City tradition since 1899, the American Royal currently provides opportunities for youth and adults from around the world to compete in a variety of events including our Livestock Show, Pro Rodeo, Equine Shows, and the World Series of Barbecue®."

Meet our amazing charity, and make sure you follow them!

"By amplifying new voices, celebrating those leading the way, and supporting those on the path to do so, the Foundation is working to create a more equitable and sustainable future — what we call Good Food for Good™."

🥩 Do you have what it takes to be Char Champion? Let's find out. Voting is officially open!

Your supporters can vote using your profile link! Good luck 🔥

If you need any assistance, feel free to reach out to our amazing team at [email protected]

One more day until the competition kicks off! Are you ready to take the title of Char Champion with a feature in the pages of Barbecue News Magazine?

At what point does it become too much meat?

It's Friday and we're craving ribeye. Meet our co-host, Kent Rollins and be sure to check out his Youtube channel for tons of mouthwatering recipes.

The Perfect Ribeye | Tips for Grilling the Best Ribeye Steak This week we are visiting my friends at the Certified Angus Beef Test Kitchen in Wooster, Ohio. They’re serving up the best tips and tricks on the difference...

We love kabobs — the mix of juicy veggies and tender meat. How do you deck out your skewer for this delicious grilling go-to?

Mustard VS ketchup? You can only choose one.

Can't you smell it?

Pick your poison! From bell to Carolina Reaper, what level of spice makes your mouth water?

Flip that grill cover with confidence. Are you kicking off the week with this kinda heat?

Plans for the weekend? We're just hangin' out.

Let's talk sides! Corn on the cob, honey grilled peaches, skewers, so many to list — what is your no. 1 side?

Better than Disneyland. What's your "ride" of choice?

What are you reaching for first?

Alright cooks, what would you do to it?

Check out this sweet custom smoker from our sponsor Yoder Smokers]

Repost from Yoder Smokers]
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Kansas City Chiefs Custom Cimarron.

Calling all backyard burger flippers and professional pitmasters—one of YOU will be crowned Char Champion and win a customized Cimarron smoker trailer from Yoder Smokers valued at $18,000, a VIP Experience for two at the 2022 American Royal Association World Series of Barbecue, where you'll hold an open seat as an honorary judge, a feature on the cover of Barbecue News Magazine, and $5,000 cash. REGISTER NOW: https://bit.ly/34sgcFs

Registration for the Char Champion Competition begins soon! One outdoor cooking enthusiast will win $5,000 and a feature on the cover, and in the pages, of Barbecue News Magazine. That's not all! More to come soon.

Big news — the Char Champion Competition is kicking off soon! The prize package includes 2 VIP tickets to this year's American Royal Association in Kansas City. The weekend passes will provide one BBQ enthusiast (plus guest) access to an exclusive private event and seats on the Open Contest Judging panel! Is your mouth watering yet? More details to follow!

A sign of things to come. Big news will hit soon!

Looks like a full meal is coming together. What's your favorite part of this photo?