BBQ ambassadors & BBQ Team Pitmasters

DEREK WOLF, over the fire cooking

Derek Wolf has been on a 3-year journey to find how cooking with fire brings people together. He started the page Over The Fire Cooking to document his adventure.

His inspiration started when he lived in West Texas. The endless flavors of the Latin American culture have propelled him to fall in love with robust, savory and spicy ingredients to make food that will be delicious when kissed by the flame. Along the way, he has met, worked, shared, and cooked with endless chefs & cooks from around the world that love cooking with fire. As his social media presence grew, he started writing recipes on his blog, doing how-to videos, cooking at live events, making a line of spices, writing two cookbooks (Food by Fire & Flavor by Fire) and working with some amazing brands.

From South America to Nashville (current home), he is determined to learn how every culture cooks with fire. Follow him along on his journey. Through his eyes & taste buds, we will learn that cooking over a fire not only brings us together but perhaps might show us that we are not that different, to begin with.

Christie Vanover, GIRLS CAN GRILL

Christie Vanover is a pitmaster, recipe developer, food photographer, award-winning writer and graphic designer, and the founder of Girls Can Grill. She has over 25 cookers in her backyard, including fire pits, gas grills, ugly drums, pellet smokers and ceramic cookers.

She has been competing in the sport of food since 2012, with three bouts at the World Food Championships. In 2016, she became a Kansas City Barbeque Society certified barbecue judge and started competing on the barbecue circuit in 2017.

Through Team Girls Can Grill and her website, she teaches women and guys how to manage fire to turn out mouthwatering barbecue. She also has her own line of internationally distributed rubs through Spiceology, and she has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Hearth & Home, Tailgater Magazine and USA Today.

She has lived all over the world, but currently calls Las Vegas home. To follow her, visit https://girlscangrill.com or @girlscangrill on all social channels.

STEPHEN KINA, 406 BBQ

Stephen Kina was born and raised on Oahu. Stephen did not have an interest in cooking until he took his first bite of brisket in 2015. His dad however, Chef Jason Kina, has a long history of culinary experience including Executive Chef. Yet Stephen took a different route through barbecue, opening 406 BBQ in Kalispell, MT in 2021.

406 BBQ is a catering and event service that specializes in Asian fusion BBQ, mixing southern BBQ with the local flavors Stephan grew up with. In 2024, Stephan was invited to cater inside the 150th running of The Kentucky Derby. Now, Stephan is using his recent success on social media to bridge the gap between the mainland and Hawaii with the fusion of Polynesian and Asian dishes and flavors with his passion for BBQ. 

AMY OVERBEY, TEAM MEAT COMA

Hey there, I’m Amy! I’m an award-winning competitive cook in the BBQ world with a true passion for live fire cooking. I’m also a mom, nurse, sister, wife, neighbor and best friend. From a busy day at work to cooking for neighbors in my own backyard, I simply love to take care of people. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing my passion for food and fire with family and friends, old and new. I hope I can help you find your motivation and inspire you to explore foods and flavors you never have before.

HUNTER, bbk competition bbq

I'm Hunter Brown, head cook of BBK Competition BBQ, devoted to the craft and discipline of competitive cooking. A multi-state award winner with notable stage calls, and founder of a rising BBQ sauce brand with refined flavors and more to come.

keating & KENNEDY, cook shak bbq

Cook Shak BBQ, based in South MS, is led by brothers Keating and Kennedy Helms. They’ve been bringing bold flavors and passion to the competition BBQ trail since 2022, competing across the United States.

MATT & tOBY, FARM TO FIRE

Farm To Fire Louisiana co-founders Matt Ruffino and Toby Breland are lifelong friends united by a passion for live-fire cooking, the outdoors, and bold Louisiana flavor. Their mission is simple: to create unique recipes, cook over fire, and bring people together around unforgettable food. 

JUSTIN, KLEINFELDT FAMILY BBQ

Justin Kleinfeldt is the owner operator of Kleinfeldt Family BBQ and T&A Cafe out of Salinas, California alongside his wife Heather. They pride themselves on BBQ done the California way with open fire Tri Tip and chicken, and smoked brisket and ribs. As a premier caterer in their area, they put just as much effort into sides and service as they do the meats. A true family operation, they always strive to provide the best BBQ and service. 

EMMA, THE CULINARY CHARM

Emma Nguyen, The Culinary Charm, is an award-winning live-fire chef. She is the 2026 Memphis in May Open Fire Grand Champion, 2x WFC Fire Woman Champion, 2026 NBBQA Live Fire Beef Champion, and sous chef to the 2x World Food Champion, The Culinary Code.