BBQ Pitmasters – Todd Johns and Plowboys BBQ

In the beginning… came the backyard BBQ grilling master. Of the 130 million or so households in the US, roughly 90 million of them own a grill. That’s a lot of people grilling and/or smoking meat! The act of going to a backyard gathering where outdoor cooking is happening is a ubiquitous activity among not only people in the US, but worldwide. Becoming a backyard pitmaster is often what whets the appetite to take one’s BBQ skills to another level.

That’s what happened with Award Winning BBQ Pitmaster, Todd Johns and his Plowboys Competition Team.

Todd is quite unique among even all competition pitmasters, he has done it all.

Todd began his BBQ journey after moving to Kansas City at age 25. He consumed BBQ at all the places he could find in the KC area. It was only after discovering, or more like realizing, that good BBQ wasn’t an afterthought. It took planning, preparation and time. A lot of time! That realization sparked a desire in Todd to learn the craft.

Todd started small as many people do. A small backyard smoker and lots of trial and error. That led to starting a competition BBQ Team, the Pork Pullin’ Plowboys in 2001 with his brother-in-law. At nearly the same time, Todd launched his own line of Plowboys branded rubs, largely to help fund his new hobby/obsession. That led to more rubs and sauces. And ribbons and trophies and even more ribbons and trophies! 2013 saw Todd launch into the restaurant world with Plowboys BBQ, which then led to vending food at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Did I mention Todd has done it all!