Heath Riles on Burnin' Up the Road and Establishing a Brand

Heath Riles of Heath Riles BBQ is someone for whom I’ve had a lot of respect for some time. I’m proud to call him a friend and appreciate him sitting down and taking the time to talk with me for this podcast episode.

Heath shares some of his earliest memories cooking with his family. His recollections on how he got started cooking BBQ competitions mirrors some others you might have heard (or experienced) — with drinking and partying playing a big role at first and an increase in focus and effort as the desire for more consistent results takes hold.

I don’t know too many competition cooks who have done as well as Heath has on both the KCBS and MBN circuits. These two sanctioning bodies run such different styles of contents that it’s not the norm to have teams dominate at both levels like Heath has.

Awards and Accolades

2013 – Whole Hog Team of the Year – Memphis BBQ Network
2014 – Team of the Year – Memphis BBQ Network
2014 – 3rd overall BBQ Division of the World Food Championships in Las Vegas
2015 – Won 12 Grand Championships ou tof 13 Memphis BBQ Network Contests competed in.
2015 – 5 Perfect “180” Scores in Kansas City BBQ Society Contests
2016 – Team of the Year – Memphis BBQ Network
2016 – Finals in BBQ Division at the World Food Championship in Orange Beach, Alabama
2017 – Team of the Year – Memphis BBQ Network
2017 – 9 Grand Championships in Memphis BBQ Network
2017 – 6 Grand Championships in Kansas City BBQ Society
2017 – Perfect “180” score in Brisket Division at the World Championship Jack Daniels BBQ Contest.

Wide Open Teaching Methods

I’ve attended a Heath Riles competition BBQ class and can tell you that he lays it out there like few others I’ve seen. Recipes, methods, tips and tricks… attendees get it all. If you ever have a chance to attend one, do it. If you’re a non-competitive cook, your friends and family will be wowed by what you’re able to do. If you compete – you’ll start walking more often. I promise.

Heath Riles BBQ – Competition Rib Recipe

Check out this video on How to Cook Competition Ribs Heath did with Malcom Reed over at How to BBQ Right. At the time of this posting – the video has received 1,263,244 views.