Jennifer and Tommy Duncan are veteran barbeque experts whose love of competition even extends to competing against one another. The couple will travel from their home in Gilbert, Arizona to the third annual Smokin’ in Mesquite BBQ Championship at the CasaBlanca this weekend. They will compete side-by-side in the prestigious event but they will also be working hard to beat one another.
Jennifer’ and her team: Smoked to the Bone, with be defending champion at the event. The energetic native of Vermont visited Mesquite for the first time in 2010 and proudly returned home with the top money.
On the flip side of the couple, the 41 year-old Tommy will be displaying the banner for Whiskey Ranch BBQ.
So how did this couple married nearly 14 years ever agree to become competitors after working together for so many years?
“Well, I used to get a little frustrated because Tommy always wanted to try new things and I like to stick with what I know works,” Mrs. Duncan explained. “I’m very meticulous whereas he likes to change.”
Out of nowhere, Tommy broke the news that the team was splitting up in the BBQ competition about two years ago.
“It’s really funny how it happened,” Jennifer explained. “He just surprised me one day by showing me a new name on the side of the trailer. I wanted to know if that was the new name of our team and he responded by telling me that the new name was actually mine for my new team.”
Not one to ever turn down a challenge, Jennifer dug in and accepted the idea. Compared to a brain surgeon by her husband because of her intense style of handling meat, she has caught the BBQ competition by storm in the past year.
Termed in the Kansas City BBQ’s Bullsheet publication as being one of the key “Ladies of Q” on the circuit, Jennifer has proved that BBQ is not just for men anymore.
Proof that Jennifer is serious about her endeavor is the fact that she has won $34,000 in prize money. She donates much of her proceeds to Arizona charities including the Boys and Girls Clubs; along with several breast cancer teams and police explorer programs in the city where she has proved victorious.
The couple has competed against each other as many as 30 times and Jennifer says she has the overall lead, but her husband is confident his time to shine will be this year.
“Her partner Kirwin Blau couldn’t make it this year, so she’s going to have to handle everything on her own,” Tommy explains. “I think this is going to be my year in Mesquite.”
Now in its third year, the Smokin’ in Mesquite BBQ competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), offers a bonus to the top finishers from the Best Damn BBQ held on Memorial Day weekend in Boulder City along with the Mesquite event. In addition, a $3,000 bonus is provided to the Nevada State Champion who has the best combined scores from both events.
Further information regarding this year’s event which runs through Sept. 4 may be found by visiting www.mesquitebbqchampionship.com or by calling Christian Adderson at 888-711-4653.
