Janice Smella is the head cook for SmellaQue Competition BBQ Team and has cooked competitively with her family since 2014. Janice’s enthusiasm and attention to detail has led SmellaQue to many successes on the competitive BBQ circuit.  As the CBBQS 2018 & 2019 National Champion, SmellaQue has cooked across North America including major invitational BBQ contests - Houston Livestock and Rodeo BBQ cookoff, Jack Daniels, American Royal and World Food Championships.

Janice’s food curiosity has recently spilled into a cooking blog www.smellaque.com, inspiring others through a weekly #supperchallenge and providing BBQ expertise to various organizations.

Janice is passionate about BBQ and what it represents - a culture woven with friendship, wide smiles, happy bellies and the celebration of everyone’s personal BBQ journey. Reach out to Janice on social media to share what BBQ means to you!

My name is Chris, though most of the time I only answer to Zinger.  I have been around BBQ my whole life, and to me, barbeque means friendship, family, and fun. Some of life’s greatest moments are shared around the barbecue. I am a very social person, especially if you want to talk anything BBQ, BBQ restaurants, backyard tips and tricks, and experience around the flame.  

Frozen Toque BBQ is the name of my competitive team. I started the team in the winter of 2016 when I chose to cook rather than be a judge, as I had in the past in the great BBQ State of Texas. At that time little did I know there was a BBQ scene in Canada and its growing! Since then I have had the pleasure of mentoring judges, assisting new and experienced competing teams, and guidance for the general public. I have used teaching BBQ as a corporate hands-on team building exercise.  

Rob has a long history of being an Influencer in the world of Canadian BBQ and he’s worn many hats.   He is a competitor, with 20 Grand Championships to date.  He’s an organizer, having run 5 different sanctioned competitions (with a 6^th for 2019).   He’s a dual-certified BBQ judge, and former board member of the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association.   In 2014, when the need for a National BBQ organization in Canada became apparent, he helped co-found the society.

Rob and his wife Jacy make their living from barbecue – with 2 crews working the Ribfest circuit in the summer and a Regina-based food truck and catering business that runs all year.   His line of championship bbq rubs and sauce, along with Canada’s largest BBQ School, help fill in the gaps over the winter.

In 2016, Rob was invited to be the featured International Chef at the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cook-off – and shared his unique spin on Canadian cuisine cooked on a smoker with VIPs, and local / state government officials. 

My name is Kris "Big Daddy" Valckx, and I'm the Pitmaster for Calgary-based Rocky Mountain Smokers. We've been competing for over 10 years, with multiple Grand Championships and Reserve Grand Championships. I’ve competed in every province from BC to Quebec, along with numerous competitions across the US, including two trips to the Jack, the American Royal, and the Guinea Pig!

If you ever cross paths with me at a competition, make sure to stop by the RMS Saloon for a tasty beverage, and stick around for the World Famous Rocky Mountain Smokers BBQ Championship Potluck!

In 2019, along with Chris Zinger from Frozen Toque BBQ, we founded the 1st National Canadian Championship Pit Bitch Olympics, celebrating those unsung heroes of the BBQ world.

I’m one of the instructors at Canada’s largest BBQ School, bbqclass.ca, with classes scheduled throughout the Spring and Summer, focused on backyard cooks looking to improve their game. I’m also a member of the BBQ on the Bow Society, for over 10 years now, and we host Canada's oldest sanctioned BBQ competition each year in the Calgary area!

In 2014, I was approached to help start the Canadian BBQ Society with other like-minded BBQ enthusiasts, and I’m here to continue to grow this AMAZING organization!

Darrel and his team known as Braai-Q, Braai-Q is a Canadian BBQ team made up of ex-South Africans, "Braai" is a South African term for BBQ. While I have been cooking for many years both in South Africa and in Canada, I began competing in 2015 with calls in Brisket, Ribs, Butts, burgers and black box, I have completed my PNWBA judges certified. I also offer catering to those interested and absolutely love smoking and sharing what I have learnt with others bringing us all closer. Give me a shout as I would love to chat with you or assist in any way I can.