We're excited to see the field of competitors who have already won their golden ticket and registered to compete at the 2025 World Food Championships. And we are always proud to announce our special guests and celebrity judges participating in our judging events across the nation - we're sure the championship food certainly helps! Best of luck to our 2025 competitors!
COMPETITOR
AnonymousQ Competition Cooking Team
HEAD COOK: Rick Manzi
COMPETITION: World Live Fire Championship
Rick Manzi – AnonymousQ Competition Cooking Team Gaithersburg, Maryland My culinary journey began in 2018, cooking BBQ in my backyard as a way to unwind and find balance outside of work. What started as a simple hobby quickly turned into a competitive passion, leading me into the world of KCBS and the Steak Cookoff Association. In 2020, my wife Susan and I formed AnonymousQ, a husband-and-wife competition team based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Together, we’ve built a strong partnership—both in life and over live fire—competing across KCBS and SCA events. We pride ourselves on our teamwork, dedication, and love for the community that surrounds competitive cooking. In 2024, I proudly placed 4th in the world at the SCA World Championship. I’m a 3x Maryland SCA Points Champion and won the 2025 Mid-Atlantic BBQ Association Steak Cook Points Champion of the Year. Along the way, I also created the award-winning Disruption Rubs line—used in both KCBS and SCA—to bring bold, battle-tested flavor to every cook. I am passionate about the craft, enjoy connecting with fellow competitors, and always aim to have fun while chasing the next win.
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