I spent a few years as a BBQ competition competitor with the Kansas City BBQ Society, competing across the United States. From there, I attended Kirkwood Community College, earning my Associate Degree in Culinary Arts while working there as a Banquet Chef.

With the dream of opening my own BBQ restaurant, I managed the kitchen at Jimmy Jack’s BBQ in Iowa City and was promoted to Pit Master.

I now live in Indiana, continuing to cook and hone my culinary skills with the support of my wife, Dianne. My son, daughter-in-law, and two grandkids are my world, and perhaps one day they will follow in my footsteps.