ELPASO, TX (BBQ CRITIC): When Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series Grand Champion winner, Sean Hill, first fell in love with BBQ 6 years ago, he decided to enter a small barbecue contest and the rest is history.
"It was a small backyard style comp and we won almost every category. We were hooked," said Sean. "We tried our hand at a few IBCA competitions and quickly found out there was a huge difference in backyard and true competitive BBQ."
Sean's love for BBQ transitioned to a catering business, and he competed on a limited basis. Then something beautiful happened in Rockwall, TX (Sean's home). "Three years ago my BBQ life changed. I left coaching football to start our school's first high school competition BBQ team. For the last three years I have coached high school BBQ. This year, we took first place and the title of 2023 Grand Champion in the state of Texas."
"It was a small backyard style comp and we won almost every category. We were hooked," said Sean. "We tried our hand at a few IBCA competitions and quickly found out there was a huge difference in backyard and true competitive BBQ."
Sean's love for BBQ transitioned to a catering business, and he competed on a limited basis. Then something beautiful happened in Rockwall, TX (Sean's home). "Three years ago my BBQ life changed. I left coaching football to start our school's first high school competition BBQ team. For the last three years I have coached high school BBQ. This year, we took first place and the title of 2023 Grand Champion in the state of Texas."
Left to right - Ryan Weideman, Amby Saenz, coach Sean Hill, Larson Trast and Jackson Jeffus of 205 Pitmasters Team Smoke. GRAND CHAMPION!
What a fantastic achievement! You know when I was in High School, I competed in football, track and gymnastics. If I had caught the aroma of smoked meat during a BBQ team practice, I may have grabbed my football and ran a 100 meter dash ending with a front flip right into the practice area! However, no high school BBQ team existed during my tenure as a student. This is a really cool thing Sean Hill has started.
I hope high school BBQ competition spreads like wildfire across our United States of America, and the world. For a more in-depth look at Coach Hills' High School BBQ journey, check out this ESPN story:
https://www.espn.com/moresports/story/_/id/37740321/inside-world-texas-high-school-barbecue-state-championship
I hope high school BBQ competition spreads like wildfire across our United States of America, and the world. For a more in-depth look at Coach Hills' High School BBQ journey, check out this ESPN story:
https://www.espn.com/moresports/story/_/id/37740321/inside-world-texas-high-school-barbecue-state-championship
Coaching high school BBQ is a dream come true, but Sean got the urge to compete again. "Just like a former athlete that talks about their glory days, I got an itch to compete. When the opportunity to be apart of the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series presented itself, I jumped at the opportunity," said Sean.
This would be Texas Moonswiner's first World Food Championships (WFC) contest featuring the EAT™ methodology (a scoring system that allows any dish to be judged consistently using three key criteria: Execution, Appearance and Taste).
For a quick lesson on the EAT™ methodology click here:
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/EAT_METHOD
This would be Texas Moonswiner's first World Food Championships (WFC) contest featuring the EAT™ methodology (a scoring system that allows any dish to be judged consistently using three key criteria: Execution, Appearance and Taste).
For a quick lesson on the EAT™ methodology click here:
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/EAT_METHOD
THE TURN-INS
Texas Moonswiners cook was a successful one, indeed. They cooked up chicken thighs, and sweet and spicy St. Louis style ribs.
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TOP 3 CHICKEN WINNERS
1 Peter Armendariz (Texas Revolution)
2 Sean Hill (Texas Moonswiners)
3 Jon Barton (Barton BBQ)
2 Sean Hill (Texas Moonswiners)
3 Jon Barton (Barton BBQ)
TOP 3 RIBS WINNERS
1 Jon Barton (Barton BBQ)
2 Peter Armendariz (Texas Revolution)
3 Sean Hill (Texas Moonswiners)
2 Peter Armendariz (Texas Revolution)
3 Sean Hill (Texas Moonswiners)
THE SILVER PLATTER
(Wild Card)
The Silver Platter is where BBQ CRITIC gets really excited! This takes us beyond the usual BBQ competition into the realm of royalty. It's refreshing for judges to engage in a creative dish like this, and cooks are challenged to tap into their creativity and make their food shine in ways you will not find at other BBQ competitions.
This category was a bit daunting for the Texas Moonswiners. "Never having to do this type of presentation was a little nerve racking, We were not prepared," Sean admits. "We were just going to throw it on a plate and go. After the cook's meeting, I looked at Matt & Jonah and told them to go to the store and buy some colorful stuff. Jonah said it felt like an episode of the three stooges as they ran around Wal-Mart trying to figure out what COLORFUL STUFF meant."
Hilarious! They would have made Curly, Larry and Moe proud.
The Texas Moonswiner's made up a beautiful (and colorful) platter of Bacon Candy (Pork Belly Burnt Ends) topped with freshly made Candied Jalapenos and they won!
Sean said, "In the end, it all worked out and we ended up with a perfect score (100) for our entry. I believe that the last thing I wrote on my card was, 'ONCE YOU TAKE ONE BITE, YOUR MOUTH IS GOING TO SAY, DANG I WANT ANOTHER!'"
This category was a bit daunting for the Texas Moonswiners. "Never having to do this type of presentation was a little nerve racking, We were not prepared," Sean admits. "We were just going to throw it on a plate and go. After the cook's meeting, I looked at Matt & Jonah and told them to go to the store and buy some colorful stuff. Jonah said it felt like an episode of the three stooges as they ran around Wal-Mart trying to figure out what COLORFUL STUFF meant."
Hilarious! They would have made Curly, Larry and Moe proud.
The Texas Moonswiner's made up a beautiful (and colorful) platter of Bacon Candy (Pork Belly Burnt Ends) topped with freshly made Candied Jalapenos and they won!
Sean said, "In the end, it all worked out and we ended up with a perfect score (100) for our entry. I believe that the last thing I wrote on my card was, 'ONCE YOU TAKE ONE BITE, YOUR MOUTH IS GOING TO SAY, DANG I WANT ANOTHER!'"
TOP 3 WILD CARD WINNERS
1 Sean Hill (Texas Moonswiners)
2 Peter Armendariz (Texas Revolution)
3 Christopher Sawyer (Poppa Pig & Porkchop)
2 Peter Armendariz (Texas Revolution)
3 Christopher Sawyer (Poppa Pig & Porkchop)
GRAND CHAMPION
Sean is thankful Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series is paving the way to the WFC Barbecue Championship. "I would love to see this series continue because it gives teams that are good, but who might not have an opportunity, a chance to showcase their skills and get a shot at competing and beating world renowned pitmasters."
The winner at that competition will also have a chance to compete at THE FINAL TABLE for a potential win of $150,000. An opportunity like that does not come along often in this Food Sport.
The winner at that competition will also have a chance to compete at THE FINAL TABLE for a potential win of $150,000. An opportunity like that does not come along often in this Food Sport.
CONGRATULATIONS! A very big win for the Texas Moonswiners, and High School BBQ. Sean said, "This exposure has given me a platform to talk about a sport that many don't even know exists. This win has also opened a few doors that are going to help me grow my BBQ business. It will be life changing if I can walk away from the final table as a WFC winner."
Congrats to Peter Armendariz (Texas Revolution) for winning RESERVE GRAND and $400 plus a qualification into the 2023 WFC Barbecue Championship. Awesome accomplishment!
Sean Hill feels very blessed with all the support he has received. "Matt, Jonah and I have a 30 and 20 year friendship, respectively. I couldn't do it without the support of my wife and my kids...my biggest fans," said Sean. "Overall, none of this would be possible without the blessings of our God. To be successful I think all three have to be apart of the journey."
They say everything is BIG in Texas, and the TEXAS MOONSWINERS won BIG today. A Grand Champion $1000 prize and a GOLDEN TICKET to compete at the World Food Championships in Texas in the fall.
Congrats and Goodluck to all!
Herb
BBQ CRITIC
They say everything is BIG in Texas, and the TEXAS MOONSWINERS won BIG today. A Grand Champion $1000 prize and a GOLDEN TICKET to compete at the World Food Championships in Texas in the fall.
Congrats and Goodluck to all!
Herb
BBQ CRITIC
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FAMOUS DAVE'S All-Star BBQ Series INFO
When you come to a Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series, it takes place right at a Famous Dave's restaurant. What's really cool is it's open to the general public. What can you expect? This is fun part!
Not only will you get a chance to watch celebrity pitmasters go head-to-head with other BBQ All-Stars, you can look forward to the following:
* FREE Entry
* FREE BBQ WINGS (while they last!).
* FREE Pepsi
* Meet Famous Dave Anderson (only at select dates)
* Much, much more!
So bring your family and friends to join in this CELEBRATION OF BBQ! Come to a Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series event near you!
For a complete list of locations, go to here:
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/allstars
Not only will you get a chance to watch celebrity pitmasters go head-to-head with other BBQ All-Stars, you can look forward to the following:
* FREE Entry
* FREE BBQ WINGS (while they last!).
* FREE Pepsi
* Meet Famous Dave Anderson (only at select dates)
* Much, much more!
So bring your family and friends to join in this CELEBRATION OF BBQ! Come to a Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series event near you!
For a complete list of locations, go to here:
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/allstars
Herb
BBQ CRITIC
BBQ CRITIC
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