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
THE SMOKE CLUB
HEAD COOK: Masato Hirata
COMPETITION: World Barbecue Championship
In 2018, I opened a Texas barbecue restaurant called "THE SMOKE CLUB"! I first learned about Texas barbecue when I saw Aaron Franklin serving up a huge, pitch-black brisket in the movie "Chef." I was shocked at that moment and thought "This is it!", and I was hooked from then on. At the time, almost no one knew about Texas barbecue in my local, and there was almost no information available. So I taught myself by trial and error, reading books and watching YouTube. Now, BBQ lovers come to visit from all over the country, and some even come to learn from me, which I'm really grateful for. I hope to continue spreading the appeal of Texas barbecue even more! Let's fire up!
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