The BBQ Central Show

(August 25, 2026 - Hour One)

9:14pm - Segment 1: Bob Trudnak – BBQ Brawl Champion & International Live-Fire
Winning the Brawl: Bob shares his experience competing on and winning Food Network’s hit series BBQ Brawl.
From Ohio to Japan: Exploring the culture, flavors, and insights gained during Bob's recent trip to Japan.
Bobby T’s Product Roadmap: What’s next for the flavor profile lineup and retail distribution as 2026 winds down.

9:35pm - Segment 2: Darren Warth – The Winningest Team in History & Restaurant Economics
The Competitive Standard: Inside the legendary run of Iowa's Smokey D's BBQ and their continued presence on the elite competition trail.
Behind the Mic: Darren discusses his entry into the podcast space and sharing his decades of pitmaster knowledge.
Managing the Menu: Real talk on restaurant logistics, supply chain shifts, and keeping food costs profitable without sacrificing quality.

10-14pm & 10:35pm - Segment 3 & 4: The Embedded Correspondents – 100% Assurity Roundtable
The Monthly Panel: Doug, Jon, Rusty, and Matt take over the second hour.
Assurity Statements: The guys break down the newest list of definitive industry statements.
Hot Topics: Rapid-fire debate on the latest breaking news and controversies across the barbecue landscape.

Key Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Explore Bob's Award-Winning Flavors: Bobby T's Products & BBQ
Visit the Competition Champion: Smokey D's BBQ Website
Subscribe to The BBQ Central Show: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms

Episode Description:
Tonight on The BBQ Central Show, host Greg Rempe lines up a massive broadcast featuring Food Network champions, competitive barbecue royalty, and the monthly return of the roundtable crew.

First, we welcome Bob Trudnak from Bob Trudnak's BBQ and Bobby T's products. Fresh off his incredible run on the Food Network, Bob takes us behind the scenes of winning BBQ Brawl Season 7. We also dive into his recent live-fire culinary journey to Japan and get an exclusive look at the growth strategy for Bobby T's sauces, rubs, and products as we head into the final months of 2026.

Next, we sit down with a true icon of the sport, Darren Warth of Iowa's legendary Smokey D's BBQ. Widely recognized as leading the most successful competition barbecue team in history, Darren gives us an update on his time on the current BBQ circuit, the launch of his own podcast, and how he is navigating rising food costs and restaurant management in today's economy.

In our second hour, the Embedded Correspondents return for their monthly segment. Doug, Jon, Rusty, and Matt step up to the mic to weigh in on a brand-new list of 100% Assurity Statements, debate the hottest trending topics in the grilling community, and bring their usual unfiltered insights to the table.

Episode 447Taking you back to 8/19/2014 - This week features one of the most popular formats in the history of the BBQ Central Show: the round table. In what stands as one of our final round table discussions, we gather top competitors and pork pitmasters of their era for a competition pork round table. The featured guests include:David Qualls - American Dream BBQ TeamMatt Barber - Hot WachulasDarren Warth - Iowa Smokey D’sFor anyone unfamiliar with these competitors, this serving as an ideal primer comes at a time when competition BBQ remained a major focus across the industry. Back then, the competition scene actively drove major trends, and interest in competitive BBQ was exceptionally high—making it a treat to revisit who was dominating the field and what recipes were taking top honors*Don’t forget to RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW ON YOU PODCAST APP*Want to hear more from this episode...Click the link below to hear the full show:Original Air Date: 8/19/2014Original Full Show Link: CLICK HERE

Episode Description:
Tonight on The BBQ Central Show, host Greg Rempe breaks down the latest in the live-fire world, from masterclass grilling education and heavy-hitting industry investments to barbecue on prime-time television.

First, we are joined by the global authority on grilling himself, Steven Raichlen. He gives us an exclusive look into his highly anticipated new memoir, Man on Fire: Of Life, Love, Literature, and Really Good Barbecue, available now for preorder. He also gives us a preview of what to expect at the 2026 edition of Barbecue University, hosted at the breathtaking, luxury Alisal Ranch in California.

Next, Wes Wright from Cookout News stops by for our monthly industry business breakdown. We are diving deep into the massive business notes shaking up the live-fire market, tracking down the latest updates on the upcoming BBQ World Cup in Las Vegas, and digging into the mystery investors behind that staggering million-dollar payout.

Finally, the dynamic duo behind Hey Grill Hey, Susie and Todd Bulloch, join the show. Susie has achieved the ultimate reality TV milestone—starring in two different television shows airing at the exact same time. We will discuss how television exposure is shifting things for their brand, the newest product lines in their business, and what major projects they are launching as the quarter closes out.

Timeline & Segment Breakdown

9:14pm - Segment 1: Steven Raichlen – Man on Fire & BBQ University
The Global Grilling Authority: A conversation with legendary author and television host Steven Raichlen.
A Shift in Storytelling: Looking ahead to his upcoming October release, Man on Fire, a personal memoir detailing his life, literary background, and career path rather than a traditional recipe guide.
Barbecue University 2026: Inside the immersive live-fire cooking experience at Alisal Ranch, California, and what students will learn this September.
Preorder Information: Where to secure your copy of Steven’s milestone 30+ book release.

9:35pm - Segment 2: Wes Wright (Cookout News) – Live-Fire Industry & BBQ World Cup Insights
State of the Barbecue Industry: Analyzing the latest retail, manufacturing, and business shifts in the grilling market.
The Million-Dollar Major League: Investigating the upcoming BBQ World Cup and Expo headed to Las Vegas for April 2027.
Following the Money: Discussing the high-profile investors backing the historic $1,000,000 prize pool and the role of the Culinary Entertainment Agency.
Sanctioning & Formats: Where the competition stands regarding judging criteria, venues, and team qualification.

10:14pm Eastern - Segment 3: Susie & Todd Bulloch (Hey Grill Hey) – Barbecue on Prime Time
Double Booking TV: Susie Bulloch details the surreal experience of having two television shows airing concurrently and how it impacts modern brand building.
The Business of Content & Product: What’s new in the Hey Grill Hey store, from rubs and sauces to backyard lifestyle gear.
Closing Out the Quarter: A look at their incoming developmental strategy and a sneak peek at their next mystery backyard cooking project.

Key Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Preorder Steven Raichlen's Memoir: Man on Fire: Of Life, Love, Literature, and Really Good Barbecue
Learn More About Barbecue University: BBQ U at Alisal Ranch
Stay Updated on Industry Business: Cookout News Website
Explore Rubs, Sauces, and Recipes: Hey Grill Hey Official Site
Subscribe to The BBQ Central Show: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.

Episode Description:
Tonight on The BBQ Central Show, host Greg Rempe breaks down the latest in the live-fire world, from masterclass grilling education and heavy-hitting industry investments to barbecue on prime-time television.

First, we are joined by the global authority on grilling himself, Steven Raichlen. He gives us an exclusive look into his highly anticipated new memoir, Man on Fire: Of Life, Love, Literature, and Really Good Barbecue, available now for preorder. He also gives us a preview of what to expect at the 2026 edition of Barbecue University, hosted at the breathtaking, luxury Alisal Ranch in California.

Next, Wes Wright from Cookout News stops by for our monthly industry business breakdown. We are diving deep into the massive business notes shaking up the live-fire market, tracking down the latest updates on the upcoming BBQ World Cup in Las Vegas, and digging into the mystery investors behind that staggering million-dollar payout.

Finally, the dynamic duo behind Hey Grill Hey, Susie and Todd Bulloch, join the show. Susie has achieved the ultimate reality TV milestone—starring in two different television shows airing at the exact same time. We will discuss how television exposure is shifting things for their brand, the newest product lines in their business, and what major projects they are launching as the quarter closes out.

Timeline & Segment Breakdown

9:14pm - Segment 1: Steven Raichlen – Man on Fire & BBQ University
The Global Grilling Authority: A conversation with legendary author and television host Steven Raichlen.
A Shift in Storytelling: Looking ahead to his upcoming October release, Man on Fire, a personal memoir detailing his life, literary background, and career path rather than a traditional recipe guide.
Barbecue University 2026: Inside the immersive live-fire cooking experience at Alisal Ranch, California, and what students will learn this September.
Preorder Information: Where to secure your copy of Steven’s milestone 30+ book release.

9:35pm]- Segment 2: Wes Wright (Cookout News) – Live-Fire Industry & BBQ World Cup Insights
State of the Barbecue Industry: Analyzing the latest retail, manufacturing, and business shifts in the grilling market.
The Million-Dollar Major League: Investigating the upcoming BBQ World Cup and Expo headed to Las Vegas for April 2027.
Following the Money: Discussing the high-profile investors backing the historic $1,000,000 prize pool and the role of the Culinary Entertainment Agency.
Sanctioning & Formats: Where the competition stands regarding judging criteria, venues, and team qualification.

10:14pm Eastern - Segment 3: Susie & Todd Bulloch (Hey Grill Hey) – Barbecue on Prime Time
Double Booking TV: Susie Bulloch details the surreal experience of having two television shows airing concurrently and how it impacts modern brand building.
The Business of Content & Product: What’s new in the Hey Grill Hey store, from rubs and sauces to backyard lifestyle gear.
Closing Out the Quarter: A look at their incoming developmental strategy and a sneak peek at their next mystery backyard cooking project.

Key Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Preorder Steven Raichlen's Memoir: Man on Fire: Of Life, Love, Literature, and Really Good Barbecue
Learn More About Barbecue University: BBQ U at Alisal Ranch
Stay Updated on Industry Business: Cookout News Website
Explore Rubs, Sauces, and Recipes: Hey Grill Hey Official Site
Subscribe to The BBQ Central Show: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.

Episode 446Taking you back to 8/13/2013 - Some old skool BBQ talk with The Butcher and Sugars BBQ!!Ready to make a “BEST OF” show all your own?? Email Jon Solberg and let him know what you would like to hear on a future episode!As always, thank you for listening!*Don’t forget to RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW ON YOU PODCAST APP*
Want to hear more from this episode...Click the link below to hear the full show:Original Air Date: 8/13/2013Original Full Show Link: CLICK HERE