Inside a Championship Cook with BBQ World Cup Qualifier Chris Hatcher

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Chris Hatcher of Haches Barbecue, the Grand Champion of the Champions BBQ Alliance World Cookoff and the first competitor to officially qualify for the BBQ World Cup. Chris is an absolute grinder on the competition BBQ circuit, cooking an incredible 35–40 weekends a year. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to compete — and win — at the highest level of competitive barbecue. 🔥 In this episode, Chris breaks down: 🏆 His Grand Championship cook and competition experience 🥩 Favorite cooks, proteins, and trusted meat sources 📊 Scores, judging feedback, and how he evaluates his results 🧠 How he tweaks and adjusts cooks for different BBQ competitions 🗺️ Where he competes and what separates one contest from another 🎵 The fun story behind his walk-up song 🛠️ Practical tips for competitors looking to tighten their process Whether you’re deep into competition BBQ, chasing a Grand Championship, or just love hearing how elite pitmasters approach their cooks, this is a must-listen conversation with one of the hardest-working competitors in barbecue today. 🔥 Hit play and learn what it takes to earn a spot on the BBQ World Cup stage. #bbqcompetition #bbqpodcast #bbqlovers #grandchampion #pitmaster #interview