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Hard Truth Distilling Co. Partners with World Food Championships to Host 2025 ‘Charred Truth’ Live Fire Invitational

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Posted May 18, 2025
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Partners with World Food Championships to Host 2025 ‘Charred Truth’ Live Fire Invitational

Nashville, IN (May 19, 2025) – Hard Truth Distilling Co. is proud to announce a partnership with the World Food Championships (WFC) to bring the “Charred Truth” WFC Live Fire Invitational to the rolling hills of Brown County, Indiana. For the first time, this nationally recognized culinary competition and Indiana’s premier Live Fire event, will be hosted on the beautiful 325-acre campus of the Hard Truth Distillery.

Taking place June 27 -28, the “Charred Truth WFC Live Fire Invitational” will bring together top chefs, pitmasters, grill masters, and open-fire cooking specialists from across the globe to compete in a sizzling showdown of smoke, flavor, and fire. The immersive culinary event will be paired with Hard Truth’s award-winning lineup of craft spirits, wood-fired eats, and unforgettable live entertainment. The winner of this event will be invited to compete at the WFC Championship event being held October 16-19 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in Indianapolis.

Champion pitmasters competing for the “Charred Truth” $5,000 prize purse include:

• Michelle O'Guin - 2024 World Live Fire Champion
• Damon Holter – 2022 & 2023 World Sandwich Champion
• Al Lino – 2023 World Barbecue Champion
• Mursal Saiq - International Live Fire Champion
• Peter Armendariz – 2022 World Steak Champion
• Craig Baker (Team Indiana) – 2017 World Chef Champion
• Dave White - Reserve Grand Champion of Indy's All-Star BBQ Classic
• Randall Bowman & Deep South Smokers - Grand Champion of Indy's All-Star BBQ Classic

“We’re fired up—literally and figuratively—to host this incredible event,” said Bryan Smith, Co-Founder and Master Distiller of Hard Truth Distilling Co. “The spirit of the Live Fire Charred Truth Invitational perfectly aligns with our commitment to craft, flavor, authenticity, and creating memorable experiences.”

Smith, along with renowned whiskey writer Maggie Kimbrel, all-things Indiana social media influencer Nate Spangle, and other regional celebrities will serve as judges.

The partnership marks a bold step in Hard Truth’s continued expansion into the national culinary scene, while giving WFC a unique, scenic venue to elevate the art of live-fire cooking. With Hard Truth’s forested trails, outdoor stages, and state-of-the-art distillery, guests can expect a one-of-a-kind blend of fire-cooked flavors and barrel-aged excellence.

“Hard Truth is the perfect host for the Live Fire Charred Truth Invitational in so many ways,” said Mike McCloud, Founder of World Food Championships. “Their dedication to flavor, innovation, and hospitality makes them an ideal partner. We’re excited to turn up the heat in Brown County and bring our competitors and fans to this beautiful location.”

The two-day 2025 event will feature tasting experiences, cooking demos, chef collaborations, and VIP access to some of the most talented open-fire cooks in the country—all set against the backdrop of one of Indiana’s premier distilleries. Tickets for the event are limited. For more information, please click on the links below.

June 27th – Before the Char: https://hardtruth.com/event/before-the-char/

June 28th – The Charred Truth: https://hardtruth.com/event/the-charred-truth/

About Hard Truth Distilling Co.
Founded in 2015, Hard Truth Distilling Co. produces premium, handcrafted spirits from its destination distillery in Brown County, Indiana. Known for its bold rye whiskies, flavored spirits, and immersive guest experiences, Hard Truth has become one of the fastest-growing craft distilleries in the Midwest.

About World Food Championships
The World Food Championships (WFC) is the premier food sport competition globally. This multi-day, live culinary event showcases some of the world's best cooks competing for food, fame, and fortune across multiple categories. Each year, thousands of teams vie for a coveted Golden Ticket at official qualifiers to earn their spot at WFC. Since its debut in 2012, the event has attracted participants from nearly 40 countries and every state in the U.S. The 2025 World Food Championships will take place October 16-19 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in Indianapolis. For more information, visit WorldFoodChampionships.com.


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