The Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, located 1073 miles from Providence, Rhode Island, serves as the backdrop for the annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue competition, set to take place on October 11-12th. Commonly known as “The Jack,” this event has been a tradition since 1989, celebrating the best in Southern hospitality, the rich legacy of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, and the art of barbecue. Renowned as one of the most prestigious barbecue competitions globally, the event draws in over 100 teams from all corners of the world, all vying for the coveted title. This year, New England will have a strong presence at the competition, with both seasoned veteran teams and fresh newcomers stepping up to the challenge on the international stage. It promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent, flavor, and camaraderie, all in the spirit of great barbecue and good company.
Smokin’ Hoggz
Bill Gillespie and his wife Shaune have been making a name for themselves on the world barbeque stage for almost two decades now. Their team, Smokin’ Hoggz from Middleboro, Massachusetts, has competed in competition BBQ for the past 19 years. This year’s event will mark their 12th appearance to the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue competition. Bill’s expertise and skill in BBQ have not gone unnoticed, as he was crowned Grand Champion in 2011 and, in 2023, took home 1st place in the chicken category and 6th place overall. Their invitation to the upcoming event was well-deserved, as they clinched victory at the Green Mountain BBQ Championship in September 2023 with an impressive score of 693.68. Bill attributes his success to his meticulous approach to cooking, relying on established timelines and a consistent cooking process that has proven to be a winning formula time and time again. With a track record of success behind them, the Gillespie’s are sure to bring their A-game and tantalizing BBQ flavors to the world stage once again.
Paddy McQ’s BBQ
Paddy McQ’s BBQ team, under the expert leadership of pitmaster Eoin Lynch, has emerged as a dominant force in the highly competitive barbecue competition circuit. With a commendable track record that includes three successful appearances at The Jack, the team brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Eoin’s impressive victory in the brisket category and 11th-place overall finish in 2019 clearly demonstrated the team’s exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to their craft. Their recent triumph at the 2023 Kora Shriners BBQ Competition in Maine further solidified their reputation, earning them another coveted invitation to compete at The Jack. Hailing from Danvers, Massachusetts, Eoin’s remarkable overall score of 697.1428 and a perfect score of 180 in the pork category secured their victory and highlighted their unmatched skill in the world of barbecue. With a proven history of success and a steadfast commitment to excellence, Paddy McQ’s is certain to leave a lasting impression on judges and competitors alike. As Eoin aptly puts it, when it comes to their winning formula, “If it ain’t broken, then don’t fix it.”
El Jefe Smoke
El Jefe Smoke’s victory at the Southern New England Barbecue Throwdown in April 2024 marked a significant milestone for pitmasters Jeff Kulacz and Dan Swanson, who have been competing in barbecue competitions for over a decade. Based in Bedford, NH, and Westborough, MA, respectively, Jeff and Dan are self-taught pitmasters who honed their skills through online forums and feedback from friends and family. Known for their mouth-watering BBQ, El Jefe Smoke has been dominating the New England barbecue scene in the 2024 season, earning Grand Champion titles in 3 out of 10 competitions they have participated in. Their secret to success lies in their strict adherence to documented timelines, processes, and plenty of practice. One of their most memorable moments was winning the Humphrey’s Rib shootout in 2016, but their recent triumph at the Southern New England Barbecue Throwdown has solidified their reputation as top contenders in the barbecue world. With a focus on not over-smoking their meat and a knack for cooking the perfect brisket on their Humphrey’s smokers, El Jefe Smoke is a force to be reckoned with in the competitive barbecue circuit.
Up-2 BBQ
Representing Vermont is team Up-2 BBQ with pitmasters Tim Rodgers and Curran LaFarge, who will be making their debut appearance at this year’s prestigious event. Their journey to this event began when they emerged victorious at the 2024 Granite State BBQ Championship in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Tim’s passion for BBQ started in 2014, fueled by his competitive nature and love for cooking. Growing up around dirt-modified racing in the northeast, Tim developed a taste for ribs during his visits to Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse, NY. Mentored by seasoned professionals like Ted Lorrison of Q Haven and Bill Gillespie of Smokin’ Hoggz, as well as the invaluable guidance of Jayna Todisco Coulon, Tim honed his skills and perfected his craft. With a strong focus on competition and a drive for success, Tim emphasizes the importance of patience and consistency in BBQ cooking. Utilizing Humphrey’s cabinet smokers and excelling in categories like chicken and pork, Up-2 BBQ has found success through a combination of trial and error, dedicated practice, and a commitment to excellence. With a mantra of “quality in, quality out,” Tim and Curran continue to refine their techniques and push themselves to new heights in the competitive world of BBQ.
Waypoint BBQ
Waypoint BBQ, a team of pitmasters from Somerset, Massachusetts, led by Jeff Costa, has made quite a name for themselves in the barbecue competition circuit. Securing their Jack Daniel’s invitation after emerging victorious at the Rhode Island State Championship sanctioned by the Champions Barbecue Alliance, this talented crew has shown that their motto, “It’s All Good” is more than just words. Starting out during the Covid pandemic, the team honed their craft by getting together to cook, eventually deciding to test their skills in competitions once the pandemic ended. Traveling to Kansas City for classes and relying on resources like the BBQ shop out of KC and Big Poppas, Waypoint BBQ has fine-tuned their techniques and equipment, including their prized BUBBA GRILL custom 250-gallon Reverse flow smoker. With a focus on consistency and sticking to their proven methods, the team has seen success by following their program and not making drastic changes based on one bad competition. Focused on competing against the best teams out there, Waypoint BBQ continues to push itself to new heights with each competition, always looking to improve and showcase its skills.
House of Que
House of Que is a dynamic collaboration between pitmasters Ken Mancinnis (New Ipswich, NH) and Brandon Saldoni (Nashua, NH), who have combined their unique skills and experiences to create a winning team. Brandon’s expertise lies in creating flavorful profiles and adding the perfect finishing touches to their dishes, while Ken brings his strong organizational skills and structural abilities to the table. With a well-rounded background in the food industry, both pitmasters have successfully led House of Que to victory, earning their entry ticket to The Jack at the Connecticut Barbecue Challenge. Their impressive score of 704.5600 and a perfect 180.00 score for chicken at the competition solidified their status as a formidable team in the barbecue world. Ken’s extensive experience in the supermarket industry, particularly in the meat department, has equipped him with the knowledge and skills to excel in the competitive barbecue circuit. His passion for smoking meats and creating innovative dishes has driven him to enter the world of competition barbecue, where he has consistently achieved top finishes and perfect scores in various categories, including chicken. House of Que’s dedication to excellence and passion for barbecue has truly set them apart as a force to be reckoned with in the barbecue competition circuit.
This year’s Jack Daniels event promises to be an exciting one for barbecue enthusiasts from around the world. With a lineup of talented and fierce competitors, this competition is sure to showcase some of the best barbecue techniques and flavors. From traditional favorites to innovative creations, the teams competing in this year’s event are sure to bring their A-game. Will Uncle Pig’s from New Jersey repeat last year’s performance, or will it be a first-time team? For a complete list of the teams competing in the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue, be sure to visit the official website for updates and information, Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue.
We wish all the teams competing the best of luck and may their names be called often and last.
