FRESNO, CA (BBQ CRITIC) - Pitmaster Brian Padilla (NUT IN 2 IT BUT 2 Q IT) came from burning chicken in his own backyard to winning the 2024 Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series in Fresno, CA.
THE EARLY YEARS
Brian's journey began as a child: "As a young boy, I would watch my Dad and Nino grill Tri-tip, Burgers, Chicken and Hot Dogs." said Brian. Around age 12 (1982) Brian would start helping out. When he reached 13 or 14 years-old, he ran the grill.
"I burned a lot of meat before I got it down," said Brian. "But chicken was the tricky protein for me."
Brian's wife, Michelle, can attest to that and she came up with a plan. In the year 2000, she bought him a Weber grill for Father's Day. Brian remembers, "She told me it would be nice if I could BBQ chicken without it being burned or under cooked."
So he made it his misson to "get the chicken down as all the other porteins." By midsummer, he got it all figured out. A happy wife, a happy life - right Brian?
Then things started to heat up again in 2015. Michelle wasn't happy he entered California's largest KCBS event with over 103 pro teams, especially after coming in 87th place. The next year, however, they took 3rd place. I bet that put a smile on Michelle's face.
Brian said, "We had some great guys that would give me some tips. Steph Franklin and Venice Carrocci, both had great but simple tips that helped me along the way."
"I burned a lot of meat before I got it down," said Brian. "But chicken was the tricky protein for me."
Brian's wife, Michelle, can attest to that and she came up with a plan. In the year 2000, she bought him a Weber grill for Father's Day. Brian remembers, "She told me it would be nice if I could BBQ chicken without it being burned or under cooked."
So he made it his misson to "get the chicken down as all the other porteins." By midsummer, he got it all figured out. A happy wife, a happy life - right Brian?
Then things started to heat up again in 2015. Michelle wasn't happy he entered California's largest KCBS event with over 103 pro teams, especially after coming in 87th place. The next year, however, they took 3rd place. I bet that put a smile on Michelle's face.
Brian said, "We had some great guys that would give me some tips. Steph Franklin and Venice Carrocci, both had great but simple tips that helped me along the way."
FAMOUS DAVE'S & WFC
Brian found out about the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series from another team and decided to sign up. This would be his first World Food Championships (WFC) sanctioned event. "This was a fun event, a little out of our element due to the fact we couldn't take our BBQ trailer. We cooked everything on my wife's Recteq pellet smoker."
Michelle has an awesome smoker. Now let's hear how the food turned out!
Michelle has an awesome smoker. Now let's hear how the food turned out!
THE CHICKEN
This husband & wife team cooked up CHICKEN THIGHS. "We marinated it in my secret mix, seasoned it with some AP rub and a hint of Chipotle," said Brian. "Then glazed it with a peach habanero. it was off the chain."
Off the chain is right! Brian went from burning chicken in his own backyard to winning 1ST PLACE CHICKEN at the Famous Dave's All -Star BBQ Series. Love it!
Very nice job, Brian and Michelle!
Off the chain is right! Brian went from burning chicken in his own backyard to winning 1ST PLACE CHICKEN at the Famous Dave's All -Star BBQ Series. Love it!
Very nice job, Brian and Michelle!
TOP 3 CHICKEN WINNERS
1 Brian Padilla (Nutin 2it But 2 Q it)
2 Branden Slichter (Bakesfield Barbecue Company)
3 Michael Rojas (Me-and-Mom's)
1 Brian Padilla (Nutin 2it But 2 Q it)
2 Branden Slichter (Bakesfield Barbecue Company)
3 Michael Rojas (Me-and-Mom's)
THE RIBS
Brian came back again with the AP rub and added light cayenne pepper along with other "secret stuff." He said, "We wrap with a lot of sweet to cut the heat. Glaze with a light twang sweet sauce. Ribs were bomb, I was very happy with them."
The judges were also very happy with your ribs and awarded you a 1ST PLACE WIN! Tell me again, Brian. What is in that "Secret Stuff?"
The judges were also very happy with your ribs and awarded you a 1ST PLACE WIN! Tell me again, Brian. What is in that "Secret Stuff?"
TOP 3 RIBS WINNERS
1 Brian Padilla (Nutin 2it But 2 Q it)
2 Michael Rojas (Me-and-Mom's)
3 Branden Slichter (Bakesfield Barbecue Company)
1 Brian Padilla (Nutin 2it But 2 Q it)
2 Michael Rojas (Me-and-Mom's)
3 Branden Slichter (Bakesfield Barbecue Company)
THE SILVER PLATTER
(Wild Card)
BBQ CRITIC'S favorite category right here! However, for Brian and Michelle, it was a challenge. Brian said, "We never done anything like that."
This category really does set itself apart from other BBQ competitions by encouraging a team to be very creative with a dish of their own choice. I love judging the Wild Card. You never know what you're going to get.
The Wild Card truly is a challenge. Brian turned in Tri-tip and Mini Loaded Baked Potato. "It was really good, and we tried to keep it simple," said Brian. "After seeing what the other teams did we kind of knew they out did us on creativity."
This category really does set itself apart from other BBQ competitions by encouraging a team to be very creative with a dish of their own choice. I love judging the Wild Card. You never know what you're going to get.
The Wild Card truly is a challenge. Brian turned in Tri-tip and Mini Loaded Baked Potato. "It was really good, and we tried to keep it simple," said Brian. "After seeing what the other teams did we kind of knew they out did us on creativity."
TOP 3 WILD CARD
1 Michael Rojas (Me-and-Mom's)
2 Amanda Ortiz (AK47 BBQ)
3 Branden Slichter (Bakesfield Barbecue Company)
1 Michael Rojas (Me-and-Mom's)
2 Amanda Ortiz (AK47 BBQ)
3 Branden Slichter (Bakesfield Barbecue Company)
Based on your two 1ST PLACE categories in Chicken and Ribs (an area where you are very strong), I think if you both put together your creative juices and plan out a Wild Card for next year, I am confident you will rise above your 4TH PLACE win. That said, you still won GRAND CHAMPION and the GOLDEN TICKET!
THE GOLDEN TICKET
In addition to the team's share of the $5000 prize purse, the Grand Champion and the Reserve Grand Champion winners take home the GOLDEN TICKET to compete in the 2024 World Barbecue Championships in Indianapolis, Nov. 8 - 12, 2024.
Congrats to Michael Rojas (Me-and-Mom's) for the RESERVE GRAND and PEOPLE'S CHOICE!
Congrats to Michael Rojas (Me-and-Mom's) for the RESERVE GRAND and PEOPLE'S CHOICE!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Getting to the World Food Championships in November will present another challenge for the team. Putting together a budget for travel, getting time off and hauling the equipment there is a 4 day, one way drive. This team will do it, though.
Brian concludes, "Winning was such a great feeling! It proved hard work pays off. Overall it was and is a Great Event. I will sign up next year if they have it again."
I will be watching for your Wild Card next year, Brian!
Congrats to all who competed.
Herb
BBQ CRITIC
Brian concludes, "Winning was such a great feeling! It proved hard work pays off. Overall it was and is a Great Event. I will sign up next year if they have it again."
I will be watching for your Wild Card next year, Brian!
Congrats to all who competed.
Herb
BBQ CRITIC
You can find Brian on Facebook
https://m.facebook.com/Nutin2itBut2Qit/m.facebook.com/Nutin2itBut2Qit/
https://m.facebook.com/Nutin2itBut2Qit/m.facebook.com/Nutin2itBut2Qit/
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!
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
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/allstars
LATRYGUY - Alex Cottrell covers the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series at the Fresno, CA event! Check out the video!
Used with Permission. Thank you Alex Cottrell! - BBQ CRITIC
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