In Remembrance of Ercole Chila

2026-05-14 08_30_31-Greenshot

Presented annually at the Smoke on the Rail BBQ Festival, the Bigger Than BBQ Award recognizes an individual within the BBQ community whose impact reaches far beyond competition results, trophies, or titles.

Created through a partnership between Smoke on the Rail and Eden Tool, this award honors those who embody generosity, mentorship, friendship, service, compassion, and dedication to the BBQ family.

The recipient is someone whose purpose burns brighter than trophies and titles — someone who feeds more than mouths and lifts more than lids. Because what they do, and who they are, is truly…

Bigger Than BBQ

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Finalist #1 - Alan Nichols

Dogpatch Q

VolunteerAlan Nichols exemplifies the spirit of the Bigger Than BBQ Award. A Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Alan has dedicated his life to serving others—both in uniform and through the BBQ community. Through his work with Dogpatch Q and Operation BBQ Relief, he has provided comfort and meals to disaster victims across the country while mentoring volunteers and encouraging others to give back.

Known for his humility, generosity, and unwavering willingness to help others, Alan's impact extends far beyond the competition circuit. Whether serving communities in crisis, supporting fellow pitmasters, or lending a hand at contests and events, Alan demonstrates the compassion and selflessness that make him truly Bigger Than BBQ.

Finalist #2 - Brian Oatway

Titans of BBQ

Brian Oatway embodies what it means to be "Bigger Than BBQ." A devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, mentor, and community leader, Brian has spent more than two decades using barbecue as a way to bring people together and serve others. Through Titans of BBQ, countless community events, youth sports programs, charitable fundraisers, and local organizations, Brian has consistently demonstrated that barbecue is about far more than competition—it is about connection, generosity, and making a difference in people's lives.

Whether mentoring young athletes, teaching aspiring pitmasters, supporting families in need, or sharing meals with his community, Brian leads with humility, integrity, and compassion. Friends and supporters describe him as someone who always puts others first, freely shares his knowledge, and inspires those around him through service and example. His impact extends well beyond the BBQ circuit, touching generations of athletes, families, and fellow competitors. Brian's legacy is not measured by trophies or championships, but by the countless lives he has influenced and the community he continues to strengthen through friendship, leadership, and selfless service.

Finalist #3 - Dan Hixon

3 Eyz BBQ

Dan Hixon personifies what it means to be "Bigger Than BBQ." A respected competitor with more than two decades in the sport, Dan has earned some of barbecue's highest honors, including Team of the Year recognition, numerous television appearances, and more than 800 top-ten calls using the products and techniques he passionately shares with others. Despite his success, Dan has never forgotten where he started and remains committed to helping fellow pitmasters at every level.

Known throughout the BBQ community for his generosity and willingness to help, Dan is often the first person teams turn to when they need advice, encouragement, or a helping hand. Whether teaching classes, providing feedback on turn-in boxes, sharing supplies with teams in need, or mentoring new competitors, Dan freely gives his time and knowledge to help others succeed. His passion for barbecue, dedication to growing the sport, and unwavering support of fellow cooks have made him not only a champion competitor, but a true ambassador for the BBQ community.

Finalist #4 - Frank Smolka

Red Smoke BBQ

Frank Smolka exemplifies what it means to be "Bigger Than BBQ." A competition pitmaster, certified BBQ and steak judge, and 27-year law enforcement officer, Frank has dedicated his life to serving others both in and out of uniform. As a School Resource Officer in Henrico County, he uses barbecue as a tool to educate, mentor, and connect with students, teaching grilling and smoking techniques in local schools while helping athletic programs raise funds for equipment, uniforms, and team activities.

Frank's commitment to service extends far beyond the classroom and competition circuit. He regularly donates his time, talent, and resources to support first responders, teachers, healthcare workers, community organizations, and families experiencing life's challenges. Whether preparing meals for neighborhood meal trains, feeding deputies and emergency personnel, supporting charitable events, or mentoring new BBQ teams and international competitors, Frank is always willing to lend a hand and share his knowledge. His generosity, leadership, and unwavering dedication to helping others have made a lasting impact on countless individuals and communities. Through barbecue, mentorship, and public service, Frank continues to demonstrate that the true measure of success is not trophies or titles, but the lives you touch along the way.

Finalists Selection: