It all started when a group of friends who love to cook great food outdoors decided to enter a professional barbecue contest. Growing up in Northern California, Pitmaster Thomas Gearhart has spent more than 25 years grilling and barbecuing in the backyard for family and friends. Then in 2015, with nothing more than a couple of simple smokers from the hardware store and a desire to compete at the highest level, Thomas created Mudville BBQ. In 2019 they won our first Grand Championship and the rest is history. Today, Mudville BBQ competes in professional barbecue events across the country.