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Growing up in the Missouri Ozarks, Jeff was raised around barbeque from an early age. But it was not until his mid 30's that he really developed a passion for cooking it. A few years later, Jeff took an interest in competitive barbeque and visited Jay Curry and Team Q (Spicewine Ironworks, Columbia, Missouri) at a contest in Warsaw, Missouri. He was instantly hooked! Less than six months later, he had put together everything he needed to compete, including a team mate and headed off to try his luck at the American Royal. After a disappointing finish, Jeff learned a lesson - it sure wasn't as easy as cooking what he liked and hoping the judges would agree with him. A week later, he was back out again, this time at a smaller contest in De Soto, Kansas. After a 10th place finish in chicken and a middle of the pack finish overall, Jeff was ready to jump in full force the next year. He purchased a smoker from Spicewine Ironworks, took a CBJ class to learn what judges looked for and practiced a lot. He and his wife Tammy, along with team mate Stan Hays keep working hard to improve every year.
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When Jeff is not cooking barbeque, he finds plenty to do to keep him busy. Currently, his career path has led him to a human resources management position with a large senior living community in Independence, Missouri where he works with fellow KCBS cooks and contest reps Jon and Clara Williams and helps organize the Fountains Blaze-Off and Senior Q contest. Outside of his career, Jeff is active in his home town of Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Along with Stan Hays, he organizes the Smokin' on Big Creek BBQ Contest for the March of Dimes. He has been a member of the Pleasant Hill Park Board for the last five years where he currently serves as President. Additionally, he is a volunteer softball coach in the local recreation leagues where he coaches his daughter's team. Jeff has also served on two different campaign committees where he was instrumental in getting bond issues passed by local voters to build a new intermediate school building and a second one to add on to the high school and make improvements to the primary school.
Jeff and his wife Tammy, a native of Michigan, have been married for eleven years and have an 8 year old daughter, Taylor, who is a very successful cook in Kids Q competitions. Besides barbeque, Jeff's hobbies include fishing, sports and genealogy research.
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