Episode Details

What does it take to go from a home cook learning barbecue through YouTube videos to becoming a five-time Canadian BBQ champion? On this episode of Wise Guys BBQ, Vin and Charlie sit down with Janice SmellaQue of SmellaQue BBQ, one of Canada’s most accomplished competition barbecue cooks. Janice shares how a barbecue trip through Texas, including a life-changing stop at Franklin Barbecue, inspired her and her husband to buy their first smoker and eventually jump headfirst into competition BBQ. Janice takes us inside her journey through the competitive barbecue world, including cooking KCBS competitions, competing at the American Royal and Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue, and even winning a contest where her only goal was to successfully turn in all four meats. She also talks about the science behind great barbecue, learning unfamiliar smokers on the fly, the challenges of cooking BBQ in Canada, open-fire cooking, Texas barbecue, and why getting outside your comfort zone can make you a better pitmaster. 🔥 In this episode: 🥩 How Texas barbecue started Janice’s BBQ obsession 🏆 Her journey to becoming a five-time Canadian BBQ champion 🔥 The hilarious story of winning brisket after thinking she burned it 💨 Learning competition BBQ through experimentation and repetition 🧪 The science and curiosity behind her cooking style 🇨🇦 What makes barbecue different in Canada 🍖 Her thoughts on Franklin Barbecue, Burnt Bean, 2M Smokehouse and Texas BBQ 🏆 Competing at the American Royal and Jack Daniel’s Invitational 🔥 Why stepping outside your comfort zone matters in barbecue Whether you're a backyard cook, competition pitmaster, or just obsessed with great BBQ, Janice’s story is proof that curiosity, experimentation, and a competitive streak can take you a long way. #competitionbbq #bbq #JackDanielsBBQ #WiseGuysBBQ #BBQPodcast #SmokedMeat #pitmaster