A Pole and a Jew walk into a Bar . . . B-Que are Josh Poland and Carl Ziegler. Booz Allen manager by day, musician and video game developer by night, Josh Poland is back to defend his three years in a row (‘23, ‘24, ‘25) Best Poultry title with his Alabama-Style Smoked Chicken Thighs, joined by his brilliant wife Hannah, and two kiddos Jonah and baby sister Naomi. Carl Ziegler—estate planning attorney, chair of FHPS grounds committee, 15+ year SoBo resident with wife Katarina and two boys Miro and Lucian, proud PREP & FSK parent, expert jammer, paw paw farmer and moonshine distiller, horticulturist—is back to defend his titles of STF23 fan favorite dessert with his Smoked Apple Fritters and STF24 and STF25 winning Best Beef for his Smoked Beef Pastrami.

All three members of the STF24's Grand Champions and STF25’s Fan Favorite Side/App—Clay Pixler, Tony Forzono, and Charlie Parker of All Sauced Up—are back to defend their titles. Clay, a Kentucky sports fan, below-average poker player, above-average golfer, rec soccer & baseball coach, bourbon lover, smoked St. Lous pork ribs specialist, 20+ years in SoBo, Emily’s husband for 24 years, lucky dad of four. Tony, a Georgia native but Locust Point resident for 16 years, Raven's season ticket holder and avid sports fan, professional moonshine drinker, loves smokin' anything, fourth time STF competitor, and in it to win again! Charlie who joined the team in 2024 is back again to serve as the sous.

Back that Rack Up is a first timer at STF26. Adam Culbreth leads the team and has been smoking meats for the past 10 years. He’s a faculty member in psychiatry at the University of Maryland. The team is rostered by a motley crew of several psychiatry and psychology faculty who live and work in South Baltimore. Adam is originally from Madison, IN. He has been living in Otterbein for the past 4 years with his wife, Erika, and 19-month old son, Simon.  

From the hills of West Virginia to Ithaca, Buffalo and now Baltimore, naval analyst Ben Blemings brings both strategy and stamina to the smoker. Backed by girlfriend Margaret and his loyal, beer-fetching coonhound, he’s got the brains, the brawn, and the best four-legged assistant in the competition. An athlete at heart, he treats the grill like game day—precision, hustle, and no wasted motion. Around here, Coondog Cooks isn’t just chasing flavor . . . he’s hot on the trail of victory.

Mike Levandusky, Scott Cohen, Bob Dodds, and Daniel Peterson are just average dudes making better than average BBQ. Mike has been in Otterbein for 8 years and smoking meats for 7.  He is a proud husband to Whitney and father to his two daughters Esme and Abigail.  Scott has been in Otterbein for 5 years and smoking meat for 6. He is an Orioles and Ravens fanatic and proud girl dad with his wife Lauren. Daniel has grown at home in South Baltimore since 2009, settled in Otterbein with wife and daughter in 2022, and has long had ambitions of being a better-than-average cook. Bob has been smoking meats, trying to become better than average, in South Baltimore since 2019. Rounding out the girl Dad's, Bob lives in Locust Point with his taste tasters.

I’d Smoke That is spearheaded by STF cofounder Dan Anderson, alongside BBQ wizards Adam Bober, Matt Eskridge, Joe Walsh, Jennifer Boyer, Brad Warbasse and Dr. Matt. When Dan isn’t advising clients at Merrill Lynch, he’s pushing his limits on the ski slopes or sailing the Chesapeake. Adam, a die-hard WVU fan and top-tier banking marketer, brings passion and expertise to the team. Matt, a true Southern gentleman with a love for live music and his Clemson Tigers, adds his own flair. Joe, a master of flavor and fire, brings unmatched energy and creative twists to every cook. Jennifer keeps the crew grounded (and well-fed), blending precision and style into every crafted cocktail. Brad rounds out the team with his calm-under-pressure pit skills and knack for turning smoke into magic. Together, they rule the pit and are on a mission to bring home the hardware this year! 

Since the dawn of smoked meats (or at least this competition), Bunty Chea has been chasing the perfect fusion brisket, leveling up his technique each year and having a blast doing it. Between diaper duty and late-night smoke checks, this group is fueled by friendship, laughter, and a shared love of barbecue. Crew members include Jeremy Scholz, Shane Zuffante, Zach Summy, and Heath Pearson.  

The Motley-Que is a band of smoky misfits led by Adam “The StickBurner” McD, a Yankee who’s spent years hunting for the perfect brisket among the smokehouses of Central Texas. Billy “Hot Boi” Breslin goes deep into the outdoors to bring you the finest proteins from land and sea. Jon Breslof is a one-trick pony pizza maker, but hey--what a trick. Travis Cochran, cheesecake pioneer and fearless Atlantic City dice-thrower, keeps things interesting. And Brennan Tolstoi, whose fully stocked bar has neighbors questioning what’s in their drinks (in a good way!), keeps spirits high--literally.  Last but not least is Chris Rinderspacher, aka Spaetzle King.

O’B5 Irish Seoul Food is the fab five O’Briens led by Smoketoberfest cofounder Brendan O'Brien—winner of the Golden Pig Brisket Award in 2021, owner of Cobblestone Wealth Mgmt., GraceCity Church elder, the ‘commish of South Baltimore Little League, bad golfer, pretty good skier, former Sox fan/now O’s fan, 25+ year ‘Beiner—and supported by the real leader Judy O’Brien, and three City Kids: Sophie, Karis, and Camden.

STF23 and STF25 Judges’ Choice and Golden Pig Brisket Champion, Jim Freaney of Small Batch BBQ, is back to defend his title. Known for his award-winning Carolina-style pork and brisket, Jim brings passion and precision to everything he smokes. When he’s not at the pit, Jim serves as Director of Operations at Pitango Gelato, cheers on the Ravens and O’s, and calls Hampden home. He’s a proud husband to Alison and dad to Josh and Evelyn.

What started off as a two-person smoking team back in 2024 has smoldered into something beautiful: a crew of friends, both seasoned and fresh-faced, united by our love for exceptional food, cold drinks, and the kind of camaraderie that only comes from standing around a fire(box) together. At the heart of our operation sits our pride and joy—a custom-welded, propane tank-turned-smoking masterpiece always ready to work its log-burning magic (or a backyard pellet smoker). Chris Capaccio, Matt Calderone, Jamie Baublitz, Aaron Hathaway, Terri Hanks, Brandi Brister, Dan McBride, Mike Earle, and Casey Weltzin are Smokin' Animals, and we're here to serve it up again and again (and again). Because it isn't just about the meat—it's about the people with whom you share it!