We're excited to see the field of competitors who have already won their golden ticket and registered to compete at the 2024 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 2024 competitors!
COMPETITOR
Victory Lane BBQ
HEAD COOK: Heath Riles
COMPETITION: World Barbecue Championship
QUALIFYING EVENT: Southaven Springfest
I started cooking in KCBS BBQ contests when I was 18 years old. I am now 35 and have been cooking in a variety of contests over the last 17 years. Over the last 8 years, I have cooked mainly MBN BBQ contests. It took several years to develop a winning recipe and I am constantly trying to improve the things that I already have. I am the Pitmaster for Victory Lane BBQ. In 2013, I led Victory Lane BBQ to being Hog Team of the Year on the MBN Circuit. This year in 2014, we currently have 9 Grand Champion wins under our belt. 7 of those wins are with Shoulder and 2 are with whole hog. This year in the MBN Circuit, we will be Hog, Shoulder and Rib Team of the year! A few other interesting facts: most people recognize me from a national commercial that I was in, I played Lil Norm; I have been married to my wife, Candace, for almost 2 years now; I have a 9 year old son named Blaine; I have my own line of BBQ sauces and rubs on the market.