Mike
“It’s All Good; just some’s better than others!”
My passion for BBQ began during my career with Kraft Foods, which had me living all over the Midwest. I’ve lived in Kansas City and St. Louis, both known for their BBQ. In Chicago, I directed Kraft Foods’ Meat Enhancers, which includes BBQ sauce. As part of the job, I’d visit many areas known for BBQ, as well as areas not known for BBQ. Everywhere I went, heck even Portland, OR, had great local Q!
One time on a trip to Memphis while admiring the Peabody Hotel lobby I struck up a conversation with a local woman. I asked her where we could find the best BBQ in Memphis? Her response, “You won’t find it here, you have to judge it.”
So, I joined the Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS), became a Certified BBQ Judge (CBJ) and started judging KCBS BBQ competitions. To earn my Master CBJ certification, I needed to cook alongside a professional team. That’s when I happened upon Matt Schneider and his team Velvet Smoke BBQ. The first time I cooked with Velvet Smoke Matt and I we got along very well. So I dashed my dreams of starting a team and became a member of VSQ.
We love to travel to BBQ events and have learned that most are in out of the way places and each event supports a local charity. We leave admiring the town and community and can’t wait to return next year!
That brings us to today. With my high school sweetheart, Marcia (now married 36 years), and I bought a truck and a travel trailer with the intent of starting the RVBBQTrail. Our mission is to
“Translate the passion we have for professional BBQ competitions, travel and the communities we visit for others who have similar interests.”
So back to my opening statement. My parents grew up in Lawrenceburg, KY. Grandad Hutch worked at what is now the Four Roses Distillery. On holidays while Nama Hutch prepared her cornucopia spread, Grandad, Dad, & Uncle Glen would sneak down to the dirt cellar for a taste of Kentucky bourbon. Dad would say, “that’s a good Bourbon,” followed by Uncle Glen, “yessir, that sure is.” Which as a 12-year-old prompted me to ask Grandad “What’s the best Bourbon?”
His response, “It’s All Good, Just Some’s Better Than Others.”
And now we begin the RVBBQTrail.
“It’s all good…”