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Anyone who has seen BBQ Pit Masters on the TLC Channel knows that barbecue has become a big deal.
According to the Kansas City Barbecue Society, 5,216 registered teams travel across the country each week to compete for a prize-money purse that can range from $5,000 to $100,000.
Interestingly enough, one of Aurora’s own has made quite the splash on the KCBS Tour. Drew McNatt, a 1994 graduate of Aurora High School, and his Hog Tide Bar-B-Que competition team have claimed several accolades the last couple of years.
In fact, Hog Tide has spent the majority of the current season ranked in the top 20 overall and in each of the four categories -- chicken, ribs, pork and brisket.
While McNatt has been awarded with several first place finishes and grand championships, he said his recent finish at the 2010 American Royal has been the most gratifying.
In what is widely known as the “World Championship of BBQ,” the American Royal is the largest, most competitive barbecue contest in the country. Portions of that event aired on the Food Network, and McNatt and his Hog Tide team finished third runner up, while competing against 500 other barbecue teams.
In addition to his recent strong showing at the American Royal, McNatt was invited earlier this year to the Sam’s Club Invitational BBQ Showdown that pitted the top 25 barbecue teams in the nation. McNatt had a strong showing, finishing fourth runner-up.
As the Hog Tide team makes a name for itself, other companies have taken notice. McNatt has compiled an impressive list of sponsors that includes Royal Oak Charcoal, Brinkmann Smokers and Verve Energy Drink.
He said his interest in barbecue came from his grandfather, Eldon McNatt, who, during the 1930s, owned and operated restaurants in Monett. And although he has “enhanced” the barbecue recipes to match today’s pallet, McNatt insists that he cooks with the same passion for barbecue that his grandpa did 80 years ago.
McNatt is the son of Ron and Linda McNatt of Aurora.
Anyone who has seen BBQ Pit Masters on the TLC Channel knows that barbecue has become a big deal.
According to the Kansas City Barbecue Society, 5,216 registered teams travel across the country each week to compete for a prize-money purse that can range from $5,000 to $100,000.
Interestingly enough, one of Aurora’s own has made quite the splash on the KCBS Tour. Drew McNatt, a 1994 graduate of Aurora High School, and his Hog Tide Bar-B-Que competition team have claimed several accolades the last couple of years.
In fact, Hog Tide has spent the majority of the current season ranked in the top 20 overall and in each of the four categories -- chicken, ribs, pork and brisket.
While McNatt has been awarded with several first place finishes and grand championships, he said his recent finish at the 2010 American Royal has been the most gratifying.
In what is widely known as the “World Championship of BBQ,” the American Royal is the largest, most competitive barbecue contest in the country. Portions of that event aired on the Food Network, and McNatt and his Hog Tide team finished third runner up, while competing against 500 other barbecue teams.
In addition to his recent strong showing at the American Royal, McNatt was invited earlier this year to the Sam’s Club Invitational BBQ Showdown that pitted the top 25 barbecue teams in the nation. McNatt had a strong showing, finishing fourth runner-up.
As the Hog Tide team makes a name for itself, other companies have taken notice. McNatt has compiled an impressive list of sponsors that includes Royal Oak Charcoal, Brinkmann Smokers and Verve Energy Drink.
He said his interest in barbecue came from his grandfather, Eldon McNatt, who, during the 1930s, owned and operated restaurants in Monett. And although he has “enhanced” the barbecue recipes to match today’s pallet, McNatt insists that he cooks with the same passion for barbecue that his grandpa did 80 years ago.
McNatt is the son of Ron and Linda McNatt of Aurora.
