When the Best Food is a Way of Life
It takes a lot of trial and error (emphasis on the error) to cook competitively – not to mention the time and money. But when it comes together – it’s a thing of beauty. Do you have what it takes to cook with the big boys?
Lucky 19
Founded in 2014, Lucky 19 Sauce Company consists of life partners Aaron Bourdage & Missy Fisher. We got into competition BBQ after a friend invited us out to cook a local rib competition where we used our Sweet Lil’ Devil sauce and managed to win first place, our first time out! Our box number was 19… thus Lucky 19 was born.
Fast forward a few years, Lucky 19 has now attended 75 contests all over the midwest. We’ve had some awesome experiences and have a large bbq family with friends from everywhere! Our favorite contest is the American Royal in Kansas City, where we’ve been lucky enough to cook both the open and the invitational in 2018 and 2019. We also were lucky enough to win a Sam’s Club regional contest in 2017, which led to us competing at the final Sam’s Club National tour in Bentonville, Arkansas. We also love our home contests in Minnesota, where we’ve managed to wins at SMSU Smokefest in Marshall, Minnesota in 2018 and also pulled off Grand Champs at the Smokin’ In Steele contest in Owatonna, Minnesota in 2019.
In January 2020, we purchased Quetopia BBQ Supply in Minnetonka, Minnesota. We changed the name to Northern Fire Grilling & BBQ Supply, where we sell everything you’d ever need for BBQ! BBQ is literally our life’s work at this point… and we love it!
Come out and see us either at the store or at a contest! We’d love to say hi!
Hogline BBQ
Dustin Reese is the head cook of Hogline BBQ. Based in Owatonna, MN, Hogline started competing in backyard contests in 2010 and moved to KCBS master series in 2012. Hogline consists of Dustin, his wife Mary, their two boy Harrison and Alexander, and are accompanied at times by Joe Elbert who introduced Dustin to BBQ. Hogline also has two retired members Jeff and John Hanson who no longer compete regularly but are both accomplished competitive cooks. One of Dustin’s favorite things about BBQ are the people you meet and helping new cooks improve their BBQ game. When Dustin isn’t competing he enjoys ice fishing, curling, and bartending ate the local Knights of Columbus Club in Owatonna.
Great Pig in the Sky
Members: Justin, Mike, Shawn, Brandon, and Nick
We are a group of high school and college friends that were looking for a reason to get together more frequently. A couple of church rib burns later, we found our new hobby obsession. We live in a near constant state of chaos. If you hear shouting over some speed metal or Dee Snyder’s House of Hair, it’s business as usual. Stop by and introduce yourself, we’d love to meet you.
Career Highlights:
- 2 calls, 8th place overall at The Jack – Shade Tree division 2018
- Reserve Grand Champion Overall, Back yard MN TOY 2018
- Reserve Grand Champion, 2019 Minnesota In May Backyard
- 3rd Place overall, Back yard MN TOY 2019
- Grand Champion, 2020 Minnesota In May Backyard
- Minnesota Team Of the Year 2020 – Backyard
City Slickers BBQ
Based out of Minneapolis, City Slickers BBQ was formed by Nate Berg in the summer of 2010 at the age of 20. Joining Nate is his brother Josh, family friend Parker Berg (no relation), and occasionally “Uncle Charlie” Torgerson makes an appearance to some contests. Since 2010, the team has competed in over 100 contests.
Aces High BBQ
Aces High BBQ is a competition BBQ team based in Stillwater, MN. We’ve been cooking competitively since 2012. We cook KCBS competitions throughout the Midwest. We are extremely proud to be part of #teamnorthernfire.
Check us out on Facebook – @aceshighbbqteam and Instagram – @aceshighbbq
Hot Daddys BBQ
Members: Hot Daddy’s BBQ is a husband and wife team. Kyle and Amy Kuhn from Grasston, Minnesota.
We built our first smoker in 2006 as a winter project, did our first backyard rib comp in 2015 and jumped into the pro side in 2017 with both feet forward not knowing much about how or what we were doing, but it’s been a blast learning and meeting new people as we go! Looking forward to what 2022 brings!
Pittie Q BBQ
Full-Time Members: Jen and Troy Canfield
Full-Time Mascots: Layla and Muffin
Part-Time Kale Girl: Jade Canfield
Troy entered his first contest in May 2019 with one of his bowling buddies after watching too many episodes of BBQ pitmasters. However, after getting set up the night before the contest, his friend was unable to make it. In an understandable panic, he called Jen asking for help. Jen, Jade, and their other daughter Carmen showed up bright and early the morning of competition to save the day. And what do you know, “Tom Collins BBQ” (TC BBQ) got a call in chicken! Both Troy and Jen had an amazing time and decided to give it a shot, and Pittie Q BBQ was born!
With a whole lot happening in between, we now have 20 pieces of hardware to our name, Jen has her own pink grill, and no one can really decide who the true headcook of Pittie Q is!
Career Highlights:
- 2020: 5th place Chicken- Minnesota in MayAugust
- 2021: 3rd place people’s choice, 2nd place chicken, 1st place ribs, overall Grand Champions- Rigs and Pigs
- 2021: 1st place Tri Tip- Smoke Your Ace Off
- 2021: 1st place Chicken- Get Busy Livin’
