he Unexpected Beginning of Bourbon & Blues BBQ

What started as a date at a barbecue festival turned into a full-blown competition BBQ journey. After discovering they couldn’t sample the teams’ food, Colleen and JP became certified barbecue judges, created Bourbon & Blues BBQ, and eventually worked their way from backyard contests to competing against some of the best pitmasters in the country. In this episode of the Wise Guys BBQ Podcast, Colleen and JP discuss the steep learning curve of moving into the Masters division, traveling to competitions across the country, and developing a flavor profile that can score in different regions. JP explains how chicken went from one of his biggest struggles to the team’s strongest category—and why they’re now chasing Chicken Team of the Year. Colleen also shares the preparation, tasting, organization, desserts, social media, and behind-the-scenes work that keeps the team on track. They also dive into mentorship within the barbecue community, cooking on Weber Smokey Mountains and Cotton Gin smokers, the challenge of half-chicken turn-ins, finding the perfect “Texas tender” texture, and their favorite competitions. Plus, hear some hilarious Bill Gillespie stories, why competition teams chase unique trophies, and how the “Wild Child” side pot can turn an 11th-place finish into a major payday. Whether you’re a backyard cook, certified barbecue judge, or aspiring competition pitmaster, this episode offers an honest and entertaining look at what it takes to travel, compete, improve, and still have fun along the way. #competitionbbq #bbq #bbqpodcast #podcast #stories