HotMess Barbecue

08/12/2026

08/12/2026

🔥 HOTMESS IS HEADED TO THE JACK! 🔥

This one is special.

Since the day we jumped into competition BBQ, there have been a few contests we've dreamed about cooking. Sitting right at the top of that bucket list has always been The Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue.

And now… Team HotMess is headed to Lynchburg for our first trip to The Jack! 🥃

But nobody gets to The Jack alone.

They say it takes a village, and HotMess has one hell of a village behind us. We're incredibly fortunate to have sponsors and friends who believe in this crazy BBQ adventure and help us do what we love.

A HUGE HotMess thank you to:

🔥 Disruption Rubs - Bold flavors. Big results. They've been riding with HotMess and helping us build some damn good boxes along the way.

🥩 Korte Meats - When you're headed to The Jack, you bring your best. For us, that starts with incredible meat and the people at Korte who make sure we have it.

🪵 Heritage Tree - Great BBQ starts with great fire. Perfectly seasoned and split wood that keeps our pits clean, hot, and rolling smoke all the way to turn-ins.

We couldn't make this journey without the people, companies, friends, family, and BBQ family who have supported us along the way.

Now it's time to go cook. 🔥🥃🐷

Stay Messy.

07/19/2026

We had a GREAT weekend in Wise, VA at Chillin' and Grillin' In The Glades. After hearing so much about this contest we decided to make the 8 hour trip. Absolutely one of the best run contests that we have been to. Main St completely closes for the contest and the entire town comes out to support. We cannot say enough about the weekend. Teams have to experience it to understand it. It was also the first time that Lisa and I cooked without Grace. There was a little to get used to, but overall we came out pretty well.

People's Choice - 3rd (Pork)

CHK - 2nd 180
RIB - 24th ?????
PRK - 15th (1st on our table)
BKT - 8th
Overall - 4th

Special thanks to Greg Cross for organizing such a great event. This weekend was not possible without Greg's dedication and endless support. Also thanks to the Mayor and community of Wise. I don't know anywhere else in the country that a contest like this exists or is possible.

We can’t wait to do it again next year.

05/25/2026

As we get ready to celebrate Grace's graduation and the next wild chapter of life at University of Louisville, I've been thinking a lot about where this whole HotMess journey started.

The truth is… there isn't a HotMess BBQ without Grace.

People see the trophies, the calls, the banners, and the occasional chaos… but they don't always see the person behind the scenes helping build recipes, refining cook processes, organizing contest prep, keeping timelines moving, and making sure we don't completely fall apart at in a muddy parking lot somewhere.

She's been there for all of it.
The wins.
The heartbreaks.
The "this brisket is perfect" moments that absolutely were not perfect.
And the emotional rollercoaster that is… me.

Most teams have a pitmaster.
HotMess has Grace.

At contests, she holds a special title nobody else will ever earn:

**Official Manager of Dad's Attitude.**

And trust me… this is a FULL-TIME position.

She has complete authority to tell me to calm down, stop overthinking, quit spiraling, stop touching things, quit "fixing" things that aren't broken, eat something, drink water, and occasionally just sit down and shut up.

Nobody else has that clearance level.

What makes me most proud isn't just what she's helped build with HotMess -- it's the person she's become along the way. Smart. Tough. Loyal. Driven. Calm under pressure. And somehow still willing to put up with me after all these years of BBQ madness.

Louisville is getting an incredible young woman.
And HotMess will never be the same without you.

Love you Grace.
Thank you for helping turn this crazy dream into something bigger than BBQ.

Now go make Louisville nervous. 🔥🖤

05/24/2026

Oops... We did it again.

It was COLD. It was WET. It was WINDY. Even with all that, Team HotMess had a great weekend at Big K**b Barbeque and Brew Fest defending our last year’s Grand Championship. 2026 Results:

Chicken 1st
Ribs 3rd
Pork 5th
Brisket 3rd

Overall 1st - Grand Champion 700.5

Congrats to everyone that heard their names called. Thanks to Dave and the entire Big K**b Grange Crew for putting on a great contest.

05/22/2026

Getting setup for a rainy weekend in Rochester, PA Big K**b Barbeque and Brew Fest. Not even the rain can stop Team HotMess with Disruption Rubs.