Guy Fierri and Johnny Trigg at the BBQ Hall of Fame Ceremony.
On Saturday night, in Kansas City, MO, Guy Fierri along with Johnny Trigg and Henry Ford were inducted into the BBQ Hall of Fame. Henry Ford was inducted for his work in the creation of the charcoal briquette. Johnny Trigg was inducted for the many years he has competed on the BBQ circuit and all the championships he has won. Guy Fierri was inducted for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, Mr. Fierri is active in the world of BBQ. His team, Motley Que Crew, won the American Royal Open BBQ contest last year and he has been competing since before he was famous on Food Network. Second reason is that he has star power and the KCBS hoped it would add a little prestige to the first Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Mr Fierri’s history with the sport of competitive BBQ is not as long as Mr Trigg’s or some of the other inductees but I do believe that he has a passion for the sport of BBQ and enjoys the environment very much.
Mike Mills, Carolyn Wells and John Willingham at the BBQ Hall of Fame induction ceremony
Saturday’s induction ceremony was outside at the American Royal stage and it was pretty cold that night. Most of the inductees were at a black apron dinner that had ended right before the induction ceremony was about to begin. The inductees came out 1 by 1 onto the stage and were placed in there assigned spots. Most came out to little or no applause as I think most of the people there were not aware of the BBQ history that was sitting in front of them. When Guy Fierri came out to take his spot the crowd erupted with applause and the flash bulbs started popping as fans were anxious to get a picture of Mr Fierri. Mr. Fierry was very gracious with the fans taking time to talk to a few that spoke to him from the crowd and made a few special poses for the crowds pictures. Once the ceremony started, the host, Roger Twibell, said a little bit about every inductee saving Guy Fierri for last. After this, Guy Fierri was the only inductee to stand up and make a statement. This is what I give Mr Fierri most credit for. His speech was not about himself and how great he is. His speech wanted to recognize Henry Ford and most of all Johnny Trigg. It was a very nice gesture from a celebrity that could have taken the spotlight all to himself.
On Sunday, after the turn ins were done for the American Royal Open contest, Mr Fierry left his cook site and made his way to Johnny Trigg’s cook site about half way across the parking lot. There were no film crews, no newspaper writers just a few fans of Mr. Fierri that wanted to catch a glimpse of him this weekend. In a very touching moment, the two men, Guy Fierry and Johnny Trigg, spoke for a few minutes and gave each other a team shirt which each put on at that moment. Guy was wearing a Smokin’ Trigger’s polo and Johnny was in a Motley Que T-shirt. Guy also gave Mr. Trigg a photo that his photographer took Saturday night at the Hall of Fame ceremony framed and everything. As Mr. Fierri left Johnny Trigg’s cook site he took time to sign autographs for people as he made his way back to his own cook site.
Johnny Trigg and Guy Fierri after turn ins Sunday at The American Royal BBQ contest.
I would like to commend Guy Fierri for all that he did this weekend in Kansas City. Congratulations on your induction into the BBQ Hall of Fame and a huge thank you from all of Kansas City. Mr. Fierri you could have big timed this event and flew in the day of and out the night after but you did not. You spent 3 days in KC with your team, Motley Que Crew, made yourself available for your fans and paid homage to BBQ legends at the Hall of Fame Ceremony. I also might add that you stopped by the BBQ Pitmasters set Sunday to talk and to wish your friend ( I will not give away the name) good luck competing that day. You sir are a class act all the way around.
I would be remiss in my duties if I did not list all of the inductees in the BBQ Hall of Fame so here they are. Rich Davis creator of KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce, Fred Gould, Speed Herrig, Mike Mills of 17th St BBQ, Carolyn Wells creator KCBS, Gary Wells creator KCBS and John Willingham BBQ Legend, Henry Ford, Guy Fierri and Johnny Trigg congratulations on your inductions. It will be great to have you all in Kansas City forever.
