Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series coverage

INTERVIEW: 2025 GRAND CHAMPION (FAMOUS DAVE'S ALL-STAR BBQ SERIES, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO)

7/25/2025

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (BBQ CRITIC) - Pitmaster Marty Marlow (Rooster's Competition BBQ) is the third BBQ team to win a GRAND CHAMPION (June 14) at a 2025 Famous Dave's of America All-Star BBQ Series contest, sanctioned by the World Food Championships (WFC).

Prior to the contest, Marlow took his family on a vacation to Universal Studios. That was all good and fun until his truck broke down, right in downtown Los Angels (riots were even going on). He rented a vehicle and safely returned back home to Colorado Springs, CO. Marlow's Truck was still stranded, so now he had to rent a truck to do the competition.

Marlow picked up the rental truck Friday afternoon. He trimmed his meat that evening and got everything together finishing around 1 am. At 5am, he was up and getting everything loaded.

"It was not as smooth as most contests," said Marlow. "With a Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) contest, I could do it in my sleep. Just show up and get it all done in Styrofoam boxes. Pretty simplistic, same thing all the time. WFC took me out of my comfort zone by using the platters (instead of boxes), decorations and everything. Though it was a little more stressful, I feel like that's when you need to step up your game."

Oh, he stepped up his game alright. Let's take a look at Marlow's turn-ins. Notice he uses his own rubs and sauces, too.

CHICKEN

Marlow turned in chicken thighs. "I executed a Raspberry Apple Habanero flavor profile. I got a good base of savory seasoning and run it with a sweet heat type seasoning that gives it a brown sugar flavor with cinnamon. That blends really well," said Marlow.

This platter looks fantastic, but getting it to the judges table became a challenge. One of the chicken plates dropped off the platter on the way to the judges, with only a few minutes to spare! Marlow and his team rushed together another chicken plate and added it to the platter. Luckily they cooked extra chicken thighs so they can pick and choose the best pieces. They made it to the judges turn in just in time.

"I have a good team, I really do. Steven Richardson is one of the most laid back people I have ever worked with and I've had many good people on my team. I enjoy cooking with him. He helps out so much. If it wasn't for him there with me, it might have not went off the same - especially when that chicken hit the ground and I had to go find another piece."

Marlow and his team overcame this obstacle and nailed a 1ST PLACE win. Very nice!

(Rooster's Competition BBQ products used: BBQ Chicken Rub, Sweet Heat and BBQ Sauce Hot Apple Habanero.)

RIBS

Marlow said, "I did a St Louis style rib just like I do in KCBS except I mixed in a raspberry component and put it in the wrap. I tried to just get a 'hint' of raspberry. It came out pretty good. It was sweet and savory. It had a fruit note in the far background that was not the elevated flavor profile. It really just popped. I was fortunate that day. Everything just clicked. "

Marlow was fortunate enough for a 1st place win. Congrats!

(Rooster's Competition BBQ products used: Rib Rub, Sweet Heat and Competition Blend BBQ Sauce)

WILD CARD

This platter was decked out with greenery, grapes and flowers. He did something like this last year. "I did jowl meat, pork cheeks. Did medallions, chopped and chunks with a little different flavor profile."

This Wild Card earned him a 2nd place win. Congrats!

(Rooster's Competition BBQ products used: Rib Rub, Sweet Heat and Competition Blend BBQ Sauce)

GOLDEN TICKET

Marty Marlow said the highlight of this event was having his family there for support. "Between my wife, Betty, and my teammate Steven (and his wife, Brenda), we were successful. I have ALL-HANDS-ON-DECK."

Rooster's Competition BBQ flew away with the GRAND CHAMPION by winning:

1st Place Chicken
1st Place Ribs
2nd Place Wild Card
People's Choice Award

Congrats to Marty Marlow and his team and to Jacob Gavin (Ribs N Whiskey BBQ) for the RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION!

In addition to their share of the $5000 prize purse, the Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion and People's Choice each received a Golden Ticket to the 2025 World Barbecue Championships in Indianapolis October 16 - 19, 2025.

Marlow did win two tickets at this contest (for Grand Champion and People's Choice), so he gifted the extra Golden Ticket to 3rd Place Over-All Winner Jacob Gavin (Ribs N Whiskey BBQ).

It's great that the WFC allows others to "pay it forward" - giving more BBQ teams a chance to complete at the World Food Championships.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Marlow really enjoyed his visit with Famous Dave Anderson. "I got to sit down with Dave for about an hour. I felt so fortunate to have that one on one time with him, and to get his insights and his experiences. It was incredible."

I think it was great how Rooster's Competition BBQ overcame unexpected hurdles at this contest and came out on top!

FOOD SPORT is just like any other sport. In the NFL, we might see a player fumble the ball. In NASCAR, a driver might blow a tire. In the MLB, we may see a player strike out. In the WFC, a cook just might drop their food.

When a team recovers and wins (no matter what the sport), the moment is that much more exciting! And so it is with FOOD SPORT, and the WFC is at the center of it all.

Marlow said, "I like the World Food Championships because of the out of band challenges, not just about putting food in a box. I'm thinking about getting more involved with WFC."

Famous Dave Anderson summed this contest up best in his Facebook post: "TOTALLY TASTY CREATIVE ORIGINAL MOUTHWATERING "WORLD FOOD CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRIES" AT THE COLORADO SPRINGS FAMOUS DAVE'S...just one incredible day for hungry tastebuds! - Famous Dave

You're making me hungry, Dave!

Herb
BBQ CRITIC
World Food Championships
E.A.T. Certified Judge

(Photo Courtesy, Arlie Bragg, Famous Dave Anderson, WFC and Marty Marlow)

BBQ CRITIC APPROVED!

Following my interview with pitmaster Marty Marlow, he offered to send me some Rooster's Competition rubs and sauces for a test cook for the BBQ CRITIC APPROVED program. In full transparency, I accepted and this has absolutely no impact on the final outcome of my test cook.

I cooked with Rooster's CHAMPIONSHIP RIB RUB and the CHAMPIONSHIP BBQ SAUCE. I smoked up some baby back ribs. One sample with sauce, and the other without - just dry ribs only. I am huge fan of dry ribs and this rub nailed it. The caramelization of the sauced ribs blended nicely together with a very savory, smooth taste. Both versions were very delicious.

I am pleased to announce that Rooster's CHAMPIONSHIP RIB RUB and CHAMPIONSHIP BBQ SAUCE are now BBQ CRITIC APPROVED after this successful test cook. Nice job, Marty Marlow!

You can purchase Rooster's Competition BBQ products at this website link: https://roostersq.com/

NOTE: BBQ CRITIC is not compensated in any way for the sales of these products.

FOR A FULL LIST OF WINNERS, GO HERE...
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/2025-FD03-colorado-springs

ATTEND A FAMOUS DAVE'S ALL-STAR BBQ SERIES NEAR YOU! FULL SCHEDULE HERE...
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/allstars

NEXT UP...

INTERVIEW with pitmaster Garrett Manning (Get IT Proper BBQ) - GRAND CHAMPION at the Rancho Cucamonga, CA contest at Famous Dave's.

Follow BBQ CRITIC on Facebook and watch for more stories on the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series and BBQ CRITIC APPROVED products and restaurants!

https://www.facebook.com/bbqcritics

EVENT PHOTOS

GRAND CHAMPION INTERVIEW: RYAN PANG - FAMOUS DAVE'S ALL STAR BBQ SERIES (FRESNO, CA)

6/23/2025

FRESNO, CA (BBQ CRITIC) - Ryan Pang (Old Greenwood BBQ) is the second team to win a 2025 Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que of America All-Star BBQ Series this time in Fresno, CA (May 31). Pang has an impressive culinary background in Food Sport and business.

Old Greenwood BBQ is not just Pang's team name, it's the name of the restaurant he owns in Sunnyvale, CA, and he has a food truck. Pang said, "We got like a 5000 sq ft patio and a full bar. We're kind of tucked away on a little 9 hole golf course that's sunken in an old rock quarry. So you go down there and there's palm trees. It's an escape from Silicon Valley."

Pang graduated with HONORS from The Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, NY) and awarded the coveted SERVICE AWARD. This along with his experience as a Professional Private Chef and an Award Winning BBQ Pitmaster gives him a solid foundation from which he can work.

Sanctioned by the World Food Championships (WFC) this organization encourages creativity in Food Sport making the Famous Dave's contest the perfect environment for Pang to shine. He had a lot to say about his turn-ins. Let's start with chicken...

CHICKEN

"We turned in SMOKED CHICKEN BALLOTINE with green curry forcemeat inside with Mangos and Serrano," said Pang. "We served a Crispy Chicken Skin with a Mango Salad on it. I was trying to give judges something OUT-OF-THE-BOX, something that was more refreshing than just meat."

Speaking of boxes, the WFC switched from Styrofoam turn-in boxes to all Silver Platters. Pang said, "It was much better they moved it all to platters." Now all cooks can have this OUT-OF-THE-BOX experience, capturing the attention of WFC judges. It's a beautiful change!

Pang continues, "We smoked it to about 155 F and then we glazed it until it reached 175 F and sliced it into medallions. Brushed some Mango Balsamic on it and had the other glaze on the outside."

This chicken platter earned a 2nd place win!

RIBS

"We did an ASIAN CHAR SIU RIB," said Pang. It had a char siu barbecue sauce and five-spice, and we spritzed it with a Shaoxing Wine (almost tastes like sherry wine). We served that with a Spicy Peanut Slaw. It was super cherry red, a different kind of flavor."

A Fortune Cookie came on every plate. When Famous Dave Anderson came around after judging, Pang asked, "How did you like the one with the Fortune cookie?" Dave responded, "Oh! Oh! I saved my fortune! Hold on!" Dave pulled it out of his wallet and they read it.

Photo Courtesy, Famous Dave Anderson

Pang adds, "We were thinking about using tweezers and stuffing our own fortunes in there, but we didn't."

Now that is a fun idea! If it was me, I might put a message in every Fortune Cookie that read: "You will judge awesome barbecue at every contest! Your lucky numbers for this platter are 10 10 10."

Pang's Rib platter came in 1st Place. No custom-made Fortune Cookie message needed for this win!

WILD CARD

"We did a trio of wagyu beef flap meat and called it WAGYU FROM AROUND THE WORLD."

This is one of the most creative Wild Card platters I have seen as a World Food Championships E.A.T. Certified judge. Usually we see a sweet dessert, but once again Pang steps OUT-OF-THE-BOX and takes a different, creative route.

Now it's time for the WFC judges to go on a worldwide culinary trip. Each judge plate has three samples representing three countries including Mexico, America and Asia. This is where Pang really begins to shine.

MEXICO
"First off was Mexico." Pang said. "The meat was Carne Asada flavored. I took some Avocados, smashed it smooth. We took some diced Jicama and marinated it in taco seasoning and Tajin. We mixed that into the Avocado. There is no seasoning or any flavor besides just the Avocado, so the flavor from the Jicama and the stretch spices really picked up."

This Avocado fusion really sounds delicious!

Pang continued, "We put that into a ring mold and placed Pico De Gallo on top. Then we put the Carne Asada flavored steak (seared HOT & FAST) and added pickles, red onions, serrano and micro cilantro."

Man, I bet this was one smooth tasting and festive dish.

AMERICA
"The center was America which was meat and potatoes. Fingerling Potatoes and Blistered Cherry Tomatoes were pan cooked over an open fire, said Pang. "The meat was rubbed with a black charcoal rub and a Huckleberry Balsamic. I made a Huckleberry flavored demi-glace. Then we put crispy roasted Oyster Mushrooms on top."

The color on this screams beef! Oh how I would love to dig my fork into this one. Definitely makes America proud!

ASIA
"The third dish we went to Asia," said Pang. "I used all the trimming side pieces from the flap meat and made like a Mongolian Beef. We cooked that right in a wok and right on the screaming hot coals! In Chinese it's called a fire-cooked aroma."

Well this American thinks the aroma and taste from all three representations would have been amazing. Pang's creative culinary skills, paying attention to detail and making a unique set of flavors is what drove this dish to a 1st Place win.

FANTASTIC job, Ryan Pang!

GOLDEN TICKET

Congrats to Ryan Pang (Old Greenwood BBQ) for winning Grand Champion, and Michael Rojas (Me and Mom's BBQ) for winning the RESERVE GRAND and PEOPLE'S CHOICE.

In addition to their share of the $5000 prize purse, they each received a Golden Ticket to the 2025 World Barbecue Championships in Indianapolis October 16 - 19, 2025.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Pang said, "All the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ series events have been really good. The giveaways and Dave being there. That's one of the biggest things is people get to see Dave."

Agreed, and it's always an honor for me when I get a chance to judge with Dave at one of these events. Dave's passion for the WFC is unwavering.

Famous Dave Anderson summed this contest up best in a recent Facebook post (see photo below): "Here I am with Harry Soo awarding Old Greenwood Barbecue Team Grand Champion and several 1st place finishes! For the second year in a row, this team has turned in really amazing creative BBQ dishes that were incredibly tasty and just plain fun to see come across our judges table. Congrats to this amazing, passionate team!" - Famous Dave Anderson.

Pang's intricate recipes and his high level of expertise, precision and artistry in cooking led him to a Grand Champion win. The World Food Championship's innovation in Food Sport helped pave a path for Pang (and others) to reach their full creative potential.

By the way, if you are in the Sunnyvale, CA area, go check out Ryan Pang's restaurant and experience his food for yourself. OLD GREENWOOD BBQ: 1010 S Wolfe Rd Sunnyvale, CA 94086. https://oldgreenwoodbbq.com/

Herb Kane
BBQ Critic
World Food Championships
E.A.T. Certified Judge

WINNERS

For full list of winners, go here:
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/2025-FD02-fresno

NEXT UP!

INTERVIEW with pitmaster Marty Marlow - Grand Champion at the Colorado Springs, CO contest. Follow BBQ CRITIC on Facebook and watch for more stories on the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series!

Want to attend a Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series event near you? Click here for full schedule: https://worldfoodchampionships.com/allstars

PHOTOS

GRAND CHAMPION INTERVIEW: FAMOUS DAVE'S ALL-STAR BBQ SERIES - INDIANAPOLIS, IN

6/4/2025

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (BBQ CRITIC) - Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que of America All-Star BBQ Series kicked off it's third season on May 3rd, 2025 in Indianapolis (sanctioned by the World Food Championships - WFC). I caught up with pitmaster Randall Bowman (Deep South Smokers) who won the Grand Champion.

WFC is the premier food sport competition globally and Bowman has been involved with this top notch organization since the beginning when it started in Vegas in 2012. He ran Kitchen Arena at the WFC for six years. participated in cooking demos, etc. Bowman has competed for over twenty-five years, and now takes on about five contests a year.

I talked with Bowman about his turn-ins at this contest and the exciting changes WFC made to make the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series stand out even more in the world of BBQ competitions. First up is chicken

CHICKEN

"We did chicken tacos. It was a BBQ chicken breast with homemade Pico de Gallo, within a avocado cilantro lime dressing on the inside," said Bowman.

Wait a minute. This chicken turn-in came on a silver platter? Last year, the chicken (and ribs) came to the judges in Styrofoam boxes like we see at most other BBQ contests. Only the Wild Card turn-in was presented on a silver platter.

When I judged the Famous Dave's event the previous two years, I must admit the chicken box entries were the usual carbon copy of drum sticks, wings, breasts or thighs we see at most contests. Not anymore!

WFC, the innovative leader in Food Sport, stepped up the creativity level for cooks by requiring all entries on a silver platter. This new vision unleashes the cook's creativity by allowing them the freedom to fuse together a unique flavor profile using various ingredients and the required meat.

Bowman said he focused on BBQ flavors. "We used BBQ rub on the guacamole spread and Pico de Gallo. The chicken was smoked. Rub and sauce layered on."

This entry looks fantastic and I think using chicken in tacos allows for a wide range of flavor profiles. The placement with peppers made the platter pop.

Bowman gave his thoughts on the Styrofoam box to silver platter change. "I really like the silver platters because I think it creates the ability to be much more creative. I am not taking away from anybody who is successful with the Styrofoam box. Those guys are very talented pitmasters," said Bowman.

This chicken platter earned him a 2nd place win.

Bowman concluded, "Can you imagine if you turned in chicken tacos in another sanctioned BBQ event? You'd get hammered!" Probably disqualified as well. Next up is RIBS....

RIBS

"Ribs were St Louis cut ribs," said Bowman. "We did not wrap and did not use an overly, overly sweet sauce."

Okay, now Bowman is cooking outside the usual competition box, perhaps because there is no longer a box involved.

Famous Dave Anderson was the true inspiration for his rib cook. He said Dave likes to leave the membrane on the back of ribs and go for the charbroiled flavor profile. Bowman recently read a Facebook post by Dave on how you can make great BBQ without wrapping the meat.

"He's 100 percent right," said Bowman. "That's just not what you find at a normal competition. It's a shame because the average guy at home doesn't wrap. So I thought well I am going to give Dave what he wants and see how it goes."

That's exactly what Bowman did...

"We did a hotter and faster cook because it was a short timeframe. We did no wrap ribs!"

No wrap ribs wrapped up a 2nd place win. Very nice! Next up, the WILD CARD...

WILD CARD

"I made a Praline Pecan Caramel Cheesecake. I made that because of the years of seeing these Famous Dave's contests and how they work. Something sweet at the end always does well. Cheesecake is pretty hot right now and has been the last two years."

Bowman is correct. Oh man, when I judged cheesecake at a Famous Dave's event, it was pure heaven. This is one mouth watering example of a cheesecake entry. Bowman's roots in Georgia inspired him to add the pecan element, and this cheesecake cook did not come without its challenges, though.

"Cheesecake on a smoker is not an easy ordeal." said Bowman. "Using a cooler to try to chill it, and those kinds of things, is definitely a challenge. It wasn't as good as I would have liked it to be. Not as good if I was in a commercial kitchen. But I was happy with it for sure."

Bowman's Wild Card cheesecake entry nailed a sweet 2nd place.

GOLDEN TICKET

This was one consistent cook for Randall Bowman that earned him a GRAND CHAMPION! Congrats to Dave White for winning RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION & PEOPLE'S CHOICE! Grand and Reserve Champions of each contest will receive a waived entry Golden Ticket to the 2025 World Barbecue Championships in Indianapolis October 16 - 19, 2025.

FINAL THOUGHTS

When you give cooks the freedom to be inventive with their entries, you also excite the judges by giving them the thrill of trying something new and creative.

I spoke briefly with Famous Dave Anderson after he judged this contest and he said, "Judging the WFC is refreshing and you look forward to all the turn ins with eager anticipation!"

World Food Championships and the Famous Dave's of America All-Star BBQ Series excites both cooks and judges with a creative flair that signals both groups to come back again and again.

Bowman summed it up best: "I love World Food Championships and I always thought the concept was fabulous. Mike McCloud (coming from the BBQ competition world) took everything he learned and made it bigger and better."

I wholeheartedly agree, Randall Bowman. WFC and the Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que of America All-Star BBQ Series are BBQ CRITIC APPROVED!

Herb Kane
BBQ CRITIC

Mike McCloud (Founder, World Food Championships) and "Famous" Dave Anderson - Indianapolis, IN

WINNERS

For full list of winners, go here:
https://worldfoodchampionships.com/2025-FD01-indianapolis

NEXT UP...

INTERVIEW with pitmaster Ryan Pang - Grand Champion at the Fresno, CA contest. Follow BBQ CRITIC on Facebook and watch for more stories on the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series!

Plan to attend a Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series event near you. Click here for full schedule: https://worldfoodchampionships.com/allstars

PHOTO GALLERY

Herb Kane

Publisher, BBQCRITIC.COM

COMPETITION JUDGE

Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS):
Certified BBQ Judge (2008)
KCBS Master Judge (2010)
Certified KCBS Table Captain

KCBS Judge Certification Update Program (JCUP) Completed

World Food Championships (WFC)
Licensed to E.A.T Judge
(2023)

Iowa BBQ Society (IBS)
Judge of the Year 2021
Judge of the Year 2024

COMPETITION COOK
BBQCRITIC.COM
"A BBQ Judge Competition Cook Team."

Cooked with many Pro BBQ teams primarily Bubba-Q's (Ottumwa, IA)

FORMER PITMASTER

Red Hot & Blue BBQ
(Cedar Rapids, IA)

Dickey's BBQ Pit
(Cedar Rapids, IA)

Sanctioned by
World Food Championships

INTERVIEW: 2025 GRAND CHAMPION (FAMOUS DAVE'S ALL-STAR BBQ SERIES, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO)

CHICKEN

RIBS

WILD CARD

GOLDEN TICKET

FINAL THOUGHTS

BBQ CRITIC APPROVED!

EVENT PHOTOS

GRAND CHAMPION INTERVIEW: RYAN PANG - FAMOUS DAVE'S ALL STAR BBQ SERIES (FRESNO, CA)

CHICKEN

RIBS

WILD CARD

GOLDEN TICKET

FINAL THOUGHTS

WINNERS

NEXT UP!

PHOTOS

GRAND CHAMPION INTERVIEW: FAMOUS DAVE'S ALL-STAR BBQ SERIES - INDIANAPOLIS, IN

CHICKEN

RIBS

WILD CARD

GOLDEN TICKET

FINAL THOUGHTS

WINNERS

NEXT UP...

PHOTO GALLERY

Herb Kane

Archives

Categories

Sanctioned by​World Food Championships

INTERVIEW: 2025 GRAND CHAMPION (FAMOUS DAVE'S ALL-STAR BBQ SERIES, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO)

CHICKEN

RIBS

WILD CARD

GOLDEN TICKET

FINAL THOUGHTS

BBQ CRITIC APPROVED!

EVENT PHOTOS

GRAND CHAMPION INTERVIEW: RYAN PANG - FAMOUS DAVE'S ALL STAR BBQ SERIES (FRESNO, CA)

CHICKEN

RIBS

WILD CARD

GOLDEN TICKET

FINAL THOUGHTS

WINNERS

NEXT UP!

PHOTOS

GRAND CHAMPION INTERVIEW: FAMOUS DAVE'S ALL-STAR BBQ SERIES - INDIANAPOLIS, IN

CHICKEN

RIBS

WILD CARD

GOLDEN TICKET

FINAL THOUGHTS

WINNERS

NEXT UP...

PHOTO GALLERY

Herb Kane

Archives

Categories

Sanctioned by
World Food Championships