COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (BBQ CRITIC) - When Jacob Gavin lost his catering work due to COVID lockdowns and quarantines, he later started working at Proud Souls Barbecue & Provisions in Denver, Colorado. Today he is General Manager of the Denver store. This interest in BBQ helped Gavin pave a path to competing at the 2024 Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series in Colorado Springs, CO.
"I bought my first smoker and and started buying supplies from Proud Souls Barbecue & Provisions and quickly found myself working there," said Gavin. "I had always loved eating BBQ and started learning from guys like Tony Roberts & Dan Casey of Proud Souls Competition team; and Chris Webb of Bushmaster BBQ, who won the Famous Dave's in CO Springs last year."
Gavin's team is made up of just himself and girlfriend Suellen Cummings. Cummings could not make the Famous Dave's contest, so his buddy, Tres Morley, stepped in to help. He brought his daughter, Charlie.
"Charlie got a little taste of the competition BBQ world," said Gavin. "She's a little pitmaster in training and was handing out all of our People's Choice chicken wings to the public!"
This competition is sanctioned by the World Food Championships (WFC) and this is Gavin's first time competing in a WFC event. He normally competes in KCBS contests (Kansas City Barbecue Society), but decided to try something different and it turned out to be a success.
Gavin reflects, "I had gotten some tips from friends who had competed in the WFC in the past and decided to switch up some flavor profiles and really try and hit the execution of what I was cooking. I heard that was huge in these events. I almost went for more of a backyard BBQ profile to please the more celebrity judges."
"I bought my first smoker and and started buying supplies from Proud Souls Barbecue & Provisions and quickly found myself working there," said Gavin. "I had always loved eating BBQ and started learning from guys like Tony Roberts & Dan Casey of Proud Souls Competition team; and Chris Webb of Bushmaster BBQ, who won the Famous Dave's in CO Springs last year."
Gavin's team is made up of just himself and girlfriend Suellen Cummings. Cummings could not make the Famous Dave's contest, so his buddy, Tres Morley, stepped in to help. He brought his daughter, Charlie.
"Charlie got a little taste of the competition BBQ world," said Gavin. "She's a little pitmaster in training and was handing out all of our People's Choice chicken wings to the public!"
This competition is sanctioned by the World Food Championships (WFC) and this is Gavin's first time competing in a WFC event. He normally competes in KCBS contests (Kansas City Barbecue Society), but decided to try something different and it turned out to be a success.
Gavin reflects, "I had gotten some tips from friends who had competed in the WFC in the past and decided to switch up some flavor profiles and really try and hit the execution of what I was cooking. I heard that was huge in these events. I almost went for more of a backyard BBQ profile to please the more celebrity judges."
THE CHICKEN
Gavin produced an absolutely gorgeous competition chicken box. "I thought the chicken turned out pretty well," said Gavin. "I was going for more of a KCBS style smoked chicken thigh (with a KC style sauce). It was super tender and juicy with just a kiss of smoke. I knew if my chicken was good today I would have a chance."
Gavin's chicken cook flew in at 2nd Place!
Gavin's chicken cook flew in at 2nd Place!
TOP 3 CHICKEN
1 Brian Guerrero (ChuchoQ)
2 Jacob Gavin (Ribs N Whiskey BBQ)
3 Marty Marlow (Rooster's Competition BBQ Team)
1 Brian Guerrero (ChuchoQ)
2 Jacob Gavin (Ribs N Whiskey BBQ)
3 Marty Marlow (Rooster's Competition BBQ Team)
THE RIBS
Gavin was pleased with his rib cook. "The ribs were on point, juicy and bite off the bone just like I wanted." This is where Gavin stepped out of his normal KCBS approach and steered a different direction.
"I went for a backyard BBQ feel compared to my normal KCBS style," explains Gavin. "I didn't hit them with as much sauce as I normally would and let them cook slightly longer than my normal cook. Finished them with a Peach Habanero glaze that gave a sweet and backend heat profile."
This little adjustment brought big results - 1st Place in Ribs!
"I went for a backyard BBQ feel compared to my normal KCBS style," explains Gavin. "I didn't hit them with as much sauce as I normally would and let them cook slightly longer than my normal cook. Finished them with a Peach Habanero glaze that gave a sweet and backend heat profile."
This little adjustment brought big results - 1st Place in Ribs!
TOP 3 RIBS
1 Jacob Gavin (Ribs N Whiskey BBQ)
2 Brian Guerrero (ChuchoQ)
3 Tyler Mayhew (Meat Machine BBQ
1 Jacob Gavin (Ribs N Whiskey BBQ)
2 Brian Guerrero (ChuchoQ)
3 Tyler Mayhew (Meat Machine BBQ
THE SILVER PLATTER
(Wild Card)
Gavin's Wild Card was an A9 Australian Wagyu Brisket. "I wanted to show my versatility, and that I could adapt and get this brisket cooked in 5 hours hot and fast and still be tender, smoky, and delicious. I thought we accomplished this and then some. It tasted great and looked even better! We end up taking 4th in this category by a slim margin of decimal points."
TOP 3 WILD CARD
1 Marty Marlow (Rooster's Competition BBQ Team)
2 Rob Dopp (Rum Runner's BBQ)
3 Tyler Mayhew (Meat Machine BBQ)
1 Marty Marlow (Rooster's Competition BBQ Team)
2 Rob Dopp (Rum Runner's BBQ)
3 Tyler Mayhew (Meat Machine BBQ)
Gavin reflects on his Grand Champion win, "To see the judges agree and crown me GC was the best feeling in the world! What was even cooler to see was one of my best friends Tyler Mayhew of Meat Machine BBQ got the Reserve Grand Championship and another Golden Ticket! We are both planning on coming out to Indy and competing in the World Food Championships!"
THE GOLDEN TICKET
GRAND CHAMPION winner Jacob Gavin (Ribs N Whiskey BBQ) and RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION Tyler Mayhew (Meat Machine BBQ) not only take home their share of the $5000 purse, but both teams receive a GOLDEN TICKET to compete at the WFC Barbecue Championships in Indianapolis, IN (Nov 8-12, 2024). Good luck to all!
Gavin concludes, "I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the Famous Dave's WFC Qualifier in CO Springs! I think it was a great event that was run by amazing people. It drew a great crowd and I'd recommend it for any fellow cooks or just patrons looking to have a great time and eat some amazing BBQ!
You can find Jacob Gavin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ribsnwhiskeybbq/
If you are in the Denver, CO area, you will find Jacob Gavin (General Manager) at Proud Souls Barbecue & Provisions
https://www.proudsoulsbbq.com/
If you are in the Denver, CO area, you will find Jacob Gavin (General Manager) at Proud Souls Barbecue & Provisions
https://www.proudsoulsbbq.com/
FINAL THOUGHTS
The more I write about the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series, the more excited I get. The World Food Championships really gives this contest an edge over other competitions. The Wild Card (presented on a Silver Platter) is a classy way to open up a creative vein that not only challenges the cooks, but offers a category that keeps things fresh and exciting for the judges.
I am already counting down the days when I will be judging two Famous Dave's All-Star competitions in August. Fun times ahead!
-- BBQ CRITIC
I am already counting down the days when I will be judging two Famous Dave's All-Star competitions in August. Fun times ahead!
-- BBQ CRITIC
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 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 here:
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/allstars
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