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
Midkiff Mafia BBQ
HEAD COOK: Bernie Phillips
COMPETITION: World Barbecue Championship
QUALIFYING EVENT: Rattlesnake Round-up - Sweetwater, TX
Midkiff Mafia is a family affair like any other mafia would be, but the hits are all done on the pit. With only four years under their belt, Midkiff Mafia has taken the Lone Star Barbeque Society by storm with wins all across the state of Texas, including the world renowned Sweetwater Rattlesnake Round-up in March, 2012. But the family doesn’t just compete behind the pit, they also volunteer throughout the state at Lone Star Barbeque Society sanctioned events, helping to build sportsmanship and membership. When smoking the pit and the competition, head cook, Bernie Phillips, is joined by his wife, Dena, son, Cody and daughter, Shayna. If they are not chasing the next cook-off, the family is busy chasing football games and school functions. And even with all this demanding their time, Midkiff Mafia still managed to place 3rd overall in the Lone Star Barbeque Society in 2011. The Midkiff Mafia team enjoys the cook-off circuit because of their love for good barbeque and making new friends. They specialize in brisket, ribs, chicken, and beans, but love a wild-card dish every now and then.