Texas Pitmaster Heads To Columbia For $100,000 Competition

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Posted Apr 21, 2022

Texas Pitmaster Heads To Columbia For $100,000 Competition

Pitmaster Robert Smith entered the World Food Championships’ (WFC) 9th Annual Main Event at its newest location of Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, looking to land a respectable Top Ten finish in the barbecue category. Turns out he left Dallas with a smokin’ prize — $7,500 in winnings and the title of 2021 World Barbecue Champion, which gives him a seat at WFC’s $100,000 Final Table Challenge this April.

The Texas cook took on a highly skilled field of competitors, including the previous Steak Champion Ryan Murphy. During the multi-day competition, the Barbecue Competitors faced a series of culinary challenges that allowed them to display their creativity and cooking abilities.

For the Opening Round challenge, barbecue competitors had the option of competing in WFC’s E.A.T.™ Methodology Division and/or Champions Barbecue Alliance sanctioning, where they faced three to four protein challenges.

In the Final Round, Smith’s goal was to best the other nine competitors who advanced to WFC’s Top Ten “Infusion” Challenge. In this round, each competitor was tasked with creating a barbecue dish using any theme that they wanted. The challenge, however, was that they were required to incorporate La Lechonera’s Mojo Dry Rub. Smith created a “First Class Seafood Gumbo,” where he combed deep south Louisiana home cooking with Texas-style barbecue.

Smith’s barbecue gumbo not only earned him the title of World Barbecue Champion and grand prize winnings, but it propelled him into the ultimate food fight known as WFC’s Final Table Challenge.

Smith will now go up against the other nine category champions from WFC, as they all travel to South Carolina’s Lake Murray Country for a special event to determine the next World Food Champion on May 1. During this final weekend of competition, there will be three rounds of cooking inspired by local cuisine, and each round will feature eliminations as local food experts determine the winners.

To learn more about “Final Table: Columbia,” visit https://finaltable.worldfoodchampionships.com/.

Stay up-to-date on all culinary competition news, by following the World Food Championships on Twitter (@WorldFoodChamp), Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships).

About World Food Championships:

The World Food Championships (WFC) is the highest stakes food competition in the world. This multi-day, live event culinary competition showcases some of the world's best cooks who compete for food, fame and fortune in 10 categories (Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Chef, Dessert, Recipe, Sandwich, Seafood, Soup and Steak). In 2021, more than 200 culinary teams from 5 countries and 40 American states competed in WFC’s Main Event. The Champions of each category will now face their next challenge called The Final Table, which will be held at South Carolina's Lake Murray Country in late April (Click here to request an invitation to the event). While contestants have to earn their way into WFC by winning a Golden Ticket at a previous competition, potential judges are welcome to take WFC’s online certification course that explains the E.A.T. methodology. Certified judges then request and receive available seats at the next scheduled WFC event. Click here to learn more about getting certified.

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Texas Pitmaster Heads To Columbia For $100,000 Competition

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