Introducing Our Judges
Michael Crockatt
Michael is a recognized leader in tourism and aviation in Canada. In his current role as President & CEO of Ottawa Tourism, he leads Ottawa's official destination organization,which spearheads sales and marketing initiatives for attracting visitors to Canada's capital, while also making investments in the long-term development of the destination. Michael is a KCBS Certified Barbecue Judge and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Peter Hum
Peter Hum is the Ottawa Citizen's restaurant critic. He has also been certified as a judge at barbecue competitions by the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS), and has judged KCBS events in Ontario, Quebec and New York state. He has a Big Green Egg smoker at home, and is still working on making great brisket.
Steph Legari
Chef Stéph Legari, also known as Stéph the Grilling Gourmet, is a graduate of the Culinary Management Program at George Brown College in Toronto. He is a certified judge with the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) and has been a teacher and resident chef at Capital BBQ's kitchen. His passion and experience of all foods cooked over smoke and fire has made it possible for him to develop not only a line of spice blends but also a wide variety of gourmet foods and drinks on many different grills and smokers. He has hosted three different grilling shows on Rogers TV, made many guest appearances on television and was the recipient of numerous awards.
Mat Drouin
AKA: BBQ With Drew, is a deeply experienced BBQ personality and is very well-known in the Ottawa area. Mat has done it all, seen all BBQ events, worked with the biggest names and served as their brand ambassador. He is an award winning BBQ professional and a certified BBQ judge.
Tobias Le Gros
Tobias is the Pitmaster of Cornwall’s Butt Lovers BBQ. Tobias has cooked some BBQ events of his own but has been Qing for many years now. He is a certified KCBS judge.
Phil Belanger
Phil is the Pitmaster of Q-Stooges BBQ, an award-winning KCBS BBQ team. Phil has grilled and smoked at BBQ events, and has been BBQing for many years.
Rawie Hugh
Rawie is a Master KCBS Certified BBQ Judge. He was the co-organizer of the 2019 Capital BBQ Festival and is a true master of all things BBQ.
