Since 1991, the National Barbecue & Grilling Association has brought together the people, businesses, and brands that help shape the barbecue and grilling industry.

What began as a gathering place for barbecue professionals has grown into a national association serving restaurants, caterers, food trucks, pitmasters, product makers, retailers, suppliers, manufacturers, media professionals, educators, competitors, backyard cooks, BBQ enthusiasts, and industry partners.

NBBQA’s history is rooted in connection, education, leadership, and service. Its future is focused on helping the barbecue and grilling community grow stronger together.

Our Beginning

The National Barbecue & Grilling Association was founded in 1991 by leaders who believed the barbecue industry needed a place to connect, learn, share ideas, and support one another.

From the beginning, NBBQA was created to serve the people behind the business of barbecue — restaurant owners, caterers, product makers, suppliers, manufacturers, competitors, and industry professionals working to grow barbecue as a respected and thriving industry.

The association gave members a place to exchange ideas, build relationships, learn from one another, and strengthen the future of barbecue.

A Legacy of Leadership

NBBQA has been shaped by dedicated leaders who gave their time, energy, ideas, and service to help strengthen the barbecue and grilling industry.

Over the years, Past Presidents, board members, volunteers, committee leaders, members, sponsors, and industry partners have helped guide the association through seasons of growth, change, challenge, and opportunity.

Their leadership helped build the foundation NBBQA continues to stand on today.

We are grateful for those who served before us, opened doors, created opportunities, and helped bring the barbecue community together.

NBBQA Past Presidents

Since its founding, NBBQA has been led by passionate individuals who shared one mission: to unite, educate, and celebrate the barbecue and grilling world.

Each president brought their own spark of leadership, vision, and heart, helping NBBQA grow into the community it is today.

2022–Present: Kell and Janet Phelps

Management Transition

In 2022, longtime NBBQA supporters Kell and Janet Phelps, owners of Barbecue News Magazine, took over the management and daily operations of the association.

Their leadership helped reignite NBBQA’s spirit by bringing back in-person events, revitalizing member engagement, and launching new initiatives, including the Live Fire Experience, Future of Q youth programming, and the Now That’s Smokin’ podcast.

Together, they continue to honor the association’s roots while charting a new path toward NBBQA’s 35th Anniversary Celebration in 2026 — a milestone that celebrates not only where barbecue has been, but where it is headed next.

🔸 Our Legacy of Leadership

2021–2022: Barbara Latimer

Led NBBQA through a season of rebuilding and reconnection, guiding the organization with professionalism and heart.

2019–2020: Patrick Murty

Focused on modernization and growth, strengthening bridges between backyard pitmasters, competitors, and industry professionals.

2017–2018: Mark Lambert

World champion pitmaster and educator whose leadership emphasized mentorship, collaboration, and the spirit of “community over competition.”

2015–2016: Linda Orrison

Affectionately known as Mama Shed, Linda infused her presidency with family warmth, creativity, and the fun of barbecue culture.  She also founded one of NBBQA’s most beloved traditions — the Rhinestone Cowboy Cookoff, a spirited, good-natured cooking competition that continues to bring members together each year in laughter, friendship, and fire.

2013–2014: Roy Slicker

Helped professionalize the association’s structure and elevate its annual conference, promoting barbecue as both passion and profession.

2011–2012: Kell Phelps

A natural storyteller and connector, Kell focused on unity, growth, and strengthening relationships across the barbecue industry.

2009–2010: Joe Oaster

Steered NBBQA through transformation, maintaining focus on education, camaraderie, and connection.

2008: Howard Miller

Encouraged collaboration and expanded opportunities for member networking and industry partnerships.

2007: Trey Dishner

Fostered relationships between competitors, brands, and backyard cooks, emphasizing fellowship and Southern hospitality.

2006: Mike Mills

Known as The Legend, Mike brought unmatched credibility and wisdom, inspiring future generations of pitmasters.

2005: Steve Walker

Focused on education and hands-on learning, helping members sharpen both culinary and business skills.

2004: Debbie Butterick

One of NBBQA’s earliest female presidents, she championed inclusivity and connection throughout the growing barbecue world.

2003: Nick Nicholas

Expanded NBBQA’s national network and enhanced communication across regional barbecue communities.

2002: Ralph Taylor

Strengthened cooperation among barbecue associations and encouraged a united national identity for the industry.

2001: Andy Jepsen

Guided NBBQA into the 21st century, emphasizing professionalism and innovation.

2000: Rick Marshall

Helped the association build systems for growth and sustainability in a rapidly evolving barbecue landscape.

1999: John White

Provided steady leadership and strengthened organizational structure and member support.

1998: Jim Burns

Promoted innovation and growth, expanding outreach and awareness across the barbecue community.

1997: John Bassimier

Encouraged consistency and purpose, ensuring continued growth and connection among members.

1996: Steve Ross

Refined NBBQA’s mission and programs during a key period of organizational development.

1994–1995: Joe Phelps

As one of the early leaders, Joe helped establish the foundation of fellowship, professionalism, and family that defines NBBQA today.

1993: Chuck Bates

Focused on strengthening unity and cooperation among early members.

1992: Clark Ellard

Helped formalize the association’s structure and purpose during its formative years.

1991: Bob Freeman

Recognized as NBBQA’s first president, Bob lit the spark that would become a national movement — one built on friendship, food, and fire.

Barbecue News Magazine and the NBBQA Connection

The story of NBBQA is closely connected to the larger barbecue community, including Barbecue News Magazine.

Founded in 1990 by Joe Phelps, Barbecue News Magazine began as a newsletter created to share barbecue news, stories, and information with the growing BBQ community.

Joe Phelps was also a founding member and former president of NBBQA, helping shape the association during its early years.

In 2002, Kell Phelps took over Barbecue News Magazine and continued the family’s commitment to telling the stories of barbecue, promoting the industry, and supporting the people who make it special.

In 2022, Kell and Janet Phelps took ownership of NBBQA and began leading the association into a new chapter focused on member connection, education, digital access, live-fire experiences, industry partnerships, and future growth.

A New Chapter for NBBQA

Today, NBBQA continues to honor the vision of its founders while meeting the needs of a changing industry.

The barbecue and grilling world now includes restaurants, caterers, food trucks, product makers, manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, influencers, media creators, live-fire cooks, competitors, backyard enthusiasts, and fans who care deeply about the culture of barbecue.

NBBQA is building new ways to serve this growing community through:

• Special Interest Groups
• Educational calls and member resources
• National conferences and industry events
• Live Fire Experience events
• Awards and recognition programs
• Digital publications and media
• Youth-focused opportunities through Future of Q
• Partnerships with brands and industry supporters
• Member networking and business development

Looking Ahead

As NBBQA looks to the future, the mission remains clear: bring the barbecue and grilling community together.

The association is committed to helping members connect, learn, grow, and lead. That means honoring the people who built the industry, supporting those working in it today, and creating opportunities for the next generation of barbecue leaders.

From the early days of NBBQA to today’s growing live-fire movement, one thing has remained the same:

Barbecue is built on people.

And NBBQA exists to serve those people.

Our Legacy

NBBQA’s legacy is found in the members who have shared their knowledge, opened doors for others, built businesses, served customers, fed communities, created products, mentored young cooks, supported the association, and kept the fire burning for future generations.

For more than three decades, NBBQA has helped bring the barbecue industry together.

Today, that work continues.

NBBQA honors the past, serves the present, and helps lead the future of barbecue and live-fire cooking.