Cool Smoke

Cool Smoke, the 2016 Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue Grand Champion, is no newcomer when it comes to competitive barbecuing. In addition to being named Jack Daniel’s Grand Champion of 2013, 2015 AND 2016, the Richmond, Va. based barbecue champion has won titles in countless competitions, including 38 Grand Championships, four World Championships, and the title of Kansas City BBQ Society Team of the Year in 2007.

Cool Smoke was formed by Tuffy Stone as a passion project in 2004. After placing 2nd in Pork and 7th in Brisket at their first competition, Tuffy realized that he was at the beginning of something special. “The Professor”, as he would come to be known on this circuit for his never-ending quest for knowledge and his attention to detail, dove head first into the world of competition barbecue and immersed himself in learning the slow cooking method.

In 2008, Cool Smoke finished as the 2nd Runner-Up at The Jack, and then took home the title of Grand Champion at the 2013 event before following up that feat again the past two years.

“It’s a back-to-back repeat. It’s unbelievable. You can feel the energy,” said Stone. “To win The Jack three times, it’s a dream. We won in 2013, and to come back here and win in 2015 and 2016 means everything. It takes all you got, it takes love.”

As the 2016 Grand Champion, Cool Smoke will return with an automatic bid in this year’s competition. Good luck to Virginia’s Cool Smoke and all the teams competing at The Jack in 2017.

Click Here to learn more about the 2017 Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue.