BeerdedBBQ was built on a deep respect for the craft of barbecue and a relentless drive to improve. Founder and pitmaster Jake began his journey after returning home from the Marine Corps, determined to learn everything he could about authentic, high-quality BBQ.

Starting with a small, inexpensive barrel smoker found on Facebook Marketplace, Jake dove in headfirst. His first attempt—a brisket point—was far from successful, but it sparked a commitment to refine his skills. With each cook, he gained experience and quickly realized the importance of proper equipment and technique. After experimenting with a pellet smoker, he produced more consistent results, but felt something was missing—the depth of smoke flavor and the hands-on craftsmanship he valued.

That search led him to an offset smoker, a turning point in his journey. From there, Jake began to truly hone his skills, improving with every cut of meat. Today, he continues to push toward mastery, currently building a custom smoker mounted on a trailer as part of a fully mobile outdoor kitchen designed to bring BeerdedBBQ anywhere it’s needed.

As his skills grew, so did his passion for the BBQ community. In 2025, Jake and his family launched their first BBQ competition in Wauconda, Illinois. The event was a major success and is set to become an annual tradition. Through competing, Jake and his team discovered a new level of passion for the competitive BBQ circuit—filling the competitive void left after his football days and fueling a new pursuit of excellence.

The BeerdedBBQ team continues to train, compete, and refine their craft, with the goal of earning top finishes and building a respected name in the BBQ world. Along the way, they’ve shared their food with friends, family, and their community—consistently delivering memorable experiences and high-quality barbecue.

Looking ahead, BeerdedBBQ is focused on growth. With plans to launch local pop-up events once the mobile kitchen is complete, the team is excited to bring their passion, flavor, and dedication to a wider audience.

This is just the beginning.