The masters of smoke, fire, and flavor igniting the festival
With over 360,000 Instagram followers, Chef David Olson is a nationally recognized American Culinary Federation (ACF) Chef, television personality, award-winning recipe developer, and live-fire grill master. As the founder of Live Fire Republic, he blends culinary expertise with outdoor adventure, inspiring audiences worldwide.
With more than 160,000 Instagram followers, George “Tuffy” Stone is a six-time world barbecue champion, television personality, and American chef celebrated for his scientific approach to live-fire cooking. A former Marine known as “The Professor,” he inspires audiences through competitive barbecue, media appearances, and culinary mastery.
Followed by more than 150,000 fans on Instagram, Myron Mixon is a five-time world barbecue champion, television personality, and bestselling author widely regarded as the “Winningest Man in Barbecue.” As chief cook of Jack’s Old South, he continues to shape competitive barbecue and inspire pitmasters across the globe.
Lee Ann Whippen is a nationally recognized pitmaster, television personality, and Executive Chef of Southern Cut Barbecue in Chicago. With over 18 years of competition experience, she has earned multiple national titles, including honors at the World Food Championships and the American Royal, inspiring BBQ enthusiasts nationwide.
Fred “The Ace of Flames™” Casagrande is a French-born pitmaster, UAE Live Fire BBQ Champion, founder of Smoking Beards®, and international competitor. Known for bold rubs and flavor-driven cooking, he inspires pitmasters worldwide while blending fire, flavor, and fellowship, redefining culinary leadership through live-fire mastery and global teaching experiences.