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Mike Mills inducted in the National BBQ Hall of Fame

MEMPHIS -- Mike Mills of 17th Street Bar & Grill, Southern Illinois, and Memphis Championship Barbecue, Las Vegas, and John Willingham of Willingham's, Memphis, Tennessee, were inducted into BBQ Hall of Fame at the recent National Barbecue Association Convention held in Memphis, Tennessee. 

"This was a huge surprise," said Mike Mills. "I feel extremely fortunate. To barbecue every day and make a living doing it? I'm living my version of the great American Dream."

The awards presentation was all the more special because Mills and Willingham are old friends and competitors. 

"John Willingham has forgotten more about barbecue than most of us knew to begin with," Mills said. "To stand on a stage together and for both of us to be recognized for what we do, amongst our peers? Well, that is a big WOW."

"Oh, boy. Oh, gosh," was Willingham's reaction. "I love that barbecue, which is a central part of a good Southern celebration, is now embraced by people all over the country. People from all walks of life come together and it's become the new American sport. It's so exciting to see the evolution in the past 30 years."

Inductees are nominated by their peers and undergo a rigorous screening process. Mills and Willingham are the sixth and seventh members of this prestigious group. Past honorees include Carolyn Wells and Gary Wells, founders of the Kansas City Barbeque Society, Dr. Rich Davis, founder of KC Masterpiece, Speed Herrig of Cookies in Iowa, and the late Fred Gould, barbecue judge and volunteer extraordinaire. The National BBQ Hall of Fame is governed by a two-tier top-secret committee who evaluates the nominees. 

"The character and accomplishments of the inductees must be impeccable and the vote must be unanimous," explained Mike Davis of Lotta Bull and Committee representative. "If any one person receives a 'no' vote, then he or she is removed from consideration. Only a very small percentage of the nominees will be inducted each year. That's by design." 

The National BBQ Hall of Fame was created in order to recognize and preserve the names of individuals and organizations who have excelled in the world of barbecue. 

"We feel that the Hall of Fame is an important representation of our culture as it promotes the art of outdoor cooking, family values, and the preservation of the history of barbecue," said Mike Tucker, one of the National BBQ Hall of Fame founders. To learn more, log onto http://www.barbecuehalloffame.com

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About John Willingham 
John Willingham is one of the most revered names in barbecue, spanning 40 plus years as a competitor, judge, author, restaurateur, inventor, and worldwide ambassador. John has won back-to-back grand champions at Memphis in May. He is the only third time grand champion of the American Royal and the only grand champion of the American Royal and Memphis in May in the same year. 

About Mike Mills
In the world of barbecue, champion pitmaster Mike MIlls is affectionately known as "The Legend." He presides over the pits at his seven nationally acclaimed barbecue restaurants—four 17th Street Bar & Grill restaurants in Southern Illinois and three Memphis Championship Barbecue restaurants in Las Vegas. In the early 1990s he was co-captain of the Apple City Barbecue team, one of the most celebrated teams ever on the circuit. He is a four-time World Champion and three-time Grand World Champion at Memphis in May, otherwise known as the Super Bowl of Swine. He is also the 1992 Grand Champion of the Jack Daniel's World Invitational Barbecue Cooking Contest and he won the Jack Daniel's Sauce Contest that year as well. Mike is the barbecue guru at and a partner in Blue Smoke restaurant in New York City. His book, Peace, Love, and Barbecue was nominated for a 2006 James Beard Foundation award and received the 2006 National Barbecue Association Award of Excellence. In October 2008 he was honored with the Pioneer of Barbecue award at the Jack Daniel's World Invitational Barbecue Cooking Contest. 



photo courtesy of Craig "Meathead" Goldwyn and http://www.amazingribs.com

Mike Mills of 17th Street Bar & Grill, Southern Illinois, and John Willingham of Willingham's, Memphis, Tennessee at the Awards Ceremony held during the National Barbecue Association Convention in Memphis, Tennessee.