Two People Inducted into The National BBQ Hall of Fame
by: Mike Tucker
Two Men were inducted into the National BBQ Hall of Fame in 2008. They were recognized at the Lakeland, Florida Pig Festival on January 30th, 2009. The Spokesman for the BBQ Hall of Fame is Mike Davis, of LottaBull BBQ. Mike is an accomplished BBQ competitor, a good family man, and a true asset to the BBQ Hall of Fame.
Mikes' presentation went as follows:
This year only two individuals made it through the rigorous committees and today we are inducting them because of the significant impact and contributions they have made on the bbq community.
The first inductee we would like to recognize tonight was involved in MIM and KCBS BBQ communities for over 20 years. Serving as organizer, promoter, meat inspector,electrician,RV mechanic, Master Judge, Table Captain, Contest Rep, and the list goes on. He was in fact the "get it done man" rain or shine. He was probably the most proficient and innovative meat inspector in KCBS. In fact, his views and guidelines have been adopted by many and are viewed as the standard for inspections at today's contests.
But, he was the man behind the scenes for the most part. Never looking for limelight, but it seemed to find him at times. Always willing to jump in, and do more than his share, it usually got him in deeper than he wanted, but that was okay too. He scouted things to do and fix. He loved being involved in BBQ and the folks connected with it, even spending months planning parking for an event such as "The Jack". Tana knew she could count on him to handle it, making one less thing she had to worry about. He worked countless hours in Winchester, TN for the High on the Hog Contest, getting electricity just right for the cookers. In fact, at the last Christmas party we all attended together, he remarked that all of the electricity was in, and everything was ahead of schedule. He didn't know why, but he was very proud of it, and in January 2008 when he suddenly passed away, we found out why.
He left his friends here in the BBQ community for a better seat in the house. I guess the good Lord needed a little fixing up there as well. So, on behalf of the BBQHOF, the BBQ Forum, and Hawgeyes BBQ, it is with great honor and pleasure to name one of the inductees into the BBQHOF for 2008.............Mr. Fred Gould
The second inductee is a man who has taken a small one-man operation and turned it into one of the largest regional sauce manufacturers in the country. He started by selling his friends sauce out of the back of his pickup truck to local stores and restaurants. He was so successful, he eventually bought the company from a friend, and today that sauce is available in 34 States. Along the way he has not forgotten to give back to the community, and the world of BBQ.
He was one of the founding members of the Iowa BBQ Society. Without his help, those few first years and the first few contests the IBS put on, would not have happened. Through these contests the IBS has funded numerous charitable events including many that he still participate in.
- Helped to acquire the Iowa Governor's proclamation for "Senior Q Month", now a nationwide event celebrating or senior citizens. It was the first in the nation.
- He provides food for the five senior care centers for Senior Q Month.
- He promotes the world of barbecue for the National Pork Boards World Pork Expo and the Barbeqlossal.
- He promotes Barbecue with cooking segments on TV and Radio across Iowa.
- He hosts 50 inner city youth at his plant to help educate them in the art of barbecue through the R.I.B.S. for Kids program along with the Iowa Barbecue Society. This program has just completed its seventh year.
- He cooks and packages 1000-2000 pounds of meat for the IBS tree
and food giveaway at the Salvation Army and Urban Dreams in Des Moines
every Christmas since its inception in 1999.
He has also worked with the National Guard to raise 40-50,000 dollars to buy phone cards for our troops.
The list goes on, but we won't tonight. So, on behalf of the BBQHOF, the BBQ Forum and Hawgeyes BBQ, it is with great honor and pleasure that I present to you the second 2008 inductee into the BBQHOF, the owner of Cookies BBQ Sauce Company of Wall Lake, Iowa........Mr. Speed Herrig.
Speed Herrig flew down with his wife Judy to accept his award. Fred Goulds Widow will be accepting on behalf of Fred Gould at the Winchester, Tn "High on the Hog" Contest. The BBQ Hall of Fame is currently accepting nominations for the 2009 inductees. For information go to www.barbecuehalloffame.com
