Ardie Davis also known by his legendary barbecue alias Remus Powers, Ph.B is one of America's most respected authorities on barbecue culture, competition, and history. He is a Barbecue Hall of Fame and Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) Hall of Fame inductee. He loves to smoke, grill, eat and judge barbecue everywhere. Davis is a prolific columnist and storyteller who writes books and articles about barbecue people, places and all aspects of the art, science, sport, history, philosophy and politics of barbecue for the KC BullSheet, National Barbecue News, and the Kansas City Star. Founder of the Diddy-Wa-Diddy National Barbecue Sauce Contest, now the American Royal World Series of Barbecue International Barbecue Sauce & Rub Contest, Davis penned the official KCBS judges' oath, required at all KCBS-sanctioned contests on the planet. He proposed and co-developed the KCBS Certified Barbecue Judge initiative and has originated several barbecue rituals that add fun, magic and significance to gatherings of the barbecue faithful. Davis was recognized as a "Pioneer of Barbeque" at the Jack Daniel's World Championship Barbecue, aka The Jack. He is a charter member of KCBS, former Board member and Lifetime Member. He has written more than a dozen acclaimed books on grilling and smoking, including collaborations with the late fellow pitmaster, Paul Kirk. Davis is a true champion the heritage and spirit of American barbecue.

The late Chef Paul Kirk PhB, aka KC Baron of Barbecue, a charter member of KCBS, former Board member and Lifetime Member, operated the Baron's School of Pitmasters. A Barbecue Hall of Fame and KCBS Hall of Fame inductee, Kirk authored six barbecue cookbooks and co-authored six additional barbecue cookbooks. He won more than 475 cooking and barbecuing awards, including seven world championships such as the prestigious American Royal Open, the world's largest barbecue contest. Kirk was a member of Team Kansas City, the winner of the inaugural Jack Daniel's World Champion Barbecue. He was recognized as a "Pioneer of Barbeque" at The Jack.

Carolyn Wells, PhB, Barbecue Hall of Fame and KCBS Hall of Fame inductee, with her late husband, Gary, and their friend, Rick Welch, is one of the three original founders of the Kansas City Barbeque Society. She was recognized as the first "Pioneer of Barbeque" at The Jack. In addition to serving as KCBS Historian, she continues to dedicate her time to special barbeque initiatives as a KCBS ambassador and worldwide barbeque ambassador. Wells has authored and co-authored five barbeque cookbooks. She has semi-retired to her native state of Tennessee while maintaining close ties with the barbecue family in Kansas City, the USA and around the world.