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BBQ at WFC Just Got "Moe" Serious

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Posted Jul 10, 2015
BBQ at WFC Just Got "Moe" Serious

Here's the thing about BBQ and smoke – it permeates your clothes first, your taste buds second and then your LIFE forever. 

Just ask Big Moe Cason. Once he found his calling, barbecue BECAME his life. And now with a successful TV show to his credit, there's no doubt that this celebrity pitmaster will be lighting things up as a special judge at the 2015 World Food Championships.

"I'm delighted that Moe is going to be involved at this year's WFC," said Mike McCloud, World Food Championships CEO. "I've watched his career take off, and it's always been impressive to me to see how genuine he has stayed throughout the entire time. He may be a tough critic when it comes to BBQ, but he's one of the most approachable and affable pitmasters you'll ever meet."

Big Moe is right at home among competitive cooks. He’s completed more than 250 contests in 35 states in less than a decade, taking home numerous Grand and Reserve Grand Championships. He’s earned three separate 180 perfect scores for his chicken, ribs and pork shoulder, with multiple wins for those and for brisket.

“Being from Iowa, the pork state, I do great ribs and pork shoulder but my favorite item to cook at a competition is brisket,” said Des Moines-based Cason, who confesses his early experience with home grilling as a young teenager involved “pork steaks, hamburgers and cheap steaks.”

Cason is a United States Navy veteran who served in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He began entering barbeque competitions as a pastime while holding down a fulltime job.

“I’m a self-taught pitmaster, and what initially was a hobby is now a way of life,” Cason said. “I am passionate about maintaining the integrity of BBQ by cooking with authenticity, using simple recipes and honoring the history of BBQ.”

Big Moe has actually become part of the history of barbeque with his competition wins and appearances as a judge or celebrity cook on shows like TLC’s “BBQ Pitmasters” and “Destination America BBQ Pitmasters.”

“TV BBQ is a lot of fun, and the difference from live competitions is that you have the pressure of a camera in your face,” he said. “If you’re comfortable with that, then you will be fine. The key with TV is you need to keep the viewer engaged with your passion and knowledge. Personality is VERY important.”

McCloud said that in addition to judging the Top 10 in BBQ at the World Food Championships, Moe will be part of the main stage celebrity interviews, demonstrations and book signings that occur throughout the weekend in Celebration, which are open and free to the public.

"He has an awesome story to share, so I'm excited to hear him speak to foodies who want to know what it's like to make a career out of your passion," McCloud said.

Another aspect of barbeque Cason is passionate about is the sauce. That’s why he makes his own, for which he won Second Place Sauce at the 2012 Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational, and even offers an original and a raspberry chipotle for sale on his ponderosabbq.com website.

“My sauces are made from scratch with natural and fresh ingredients,” he said. “Good enough to use for competitions but made for the everyday backyard cook.”

Big Moe is encouraged about the future of barbeque as food sport.

“I see the sport advancing a little more in contests and purse size,” he observed. “Competition barbeque has exploded in popularity over the last 15 years. I do see more businesses doing corporate stepping up in prize money. The thing about barbeque, it has legs. It's been around from the early days of this country.”

Cason said he believes barbeque is a simple food with humble beginnings, but an excellent barbeque will “rise up” to be Grand Champion at the World Food Championships one day despite the fact it’s going up against other creative and tasty entries.

“BBQ has been very good to me,” Cason said. “It has granted me many opportunities all because I have stayed true to BBQ and myself.”


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