A familiar champion
6×
titles at this rep’s contests
Meat Candy Q has taken the Grand Championship at 6 of the contests this rep has run.
- 36 champions crowned in all
- 26 different teams
MICHAEL SANTIAGO
A KCBS contest rep working 6 states/provinces, most often around Yuma, AZ. By events worked they sit #60 of the 152 reps in the data. First on the record in 2019, latest contest 2026-05-15.
At a glance (their career as a contest rep, in numbers)
Contests run
37
5 more on the calendar · 1 cancelled
Among all reps
#60
of 152 reps by events worked · #40 by states covered
On the trail
2019–2026
10 seasons in the data · 8 in a row
This season
8
contests dated 2026 · 4.3 a season career-long
State championships
36
contests carrying a state title
Teams officiated
393
979 entries total · 3,879 meat boxes
Avg field
27
490
teams per contest · median 26
Field strength
1592
avg power rating of their fields · above 73% of rated contests
GCs crowned
36
26 different teams · 35 reserve champions
First-ever titles
11
teams whose first GC anywhere came at one of theirs
Teams that started here
120
first contest in the data at one of theirs
Perfect 180s seen
57 🔥
out of 3,879 meat entries
Avg winning score
701.54
689.67713.71
35 Master contests · 692.85 across all contests
Contests they return to
9
longest run 5 straight years at BBQ, Boots & Brew
Road between contests
15,236 mi
~1,524 miles a season · 1,059 mi corner to corner
Busiest month
May
9 of their 43 contests
Busiest 30 days
3
contests between 2022-05-06 and 2022-05-28
Prize money
$395.1K
across their events · biggest purse $40,000.00
Results on file
97%
36 of their contests have scores in the data
Storylines (15 found in this rep's record)
Read out of the contests they have run — reps don’t judge, so nothing here is a comment on anyone’s scores.
A long time on the trail
7 yrs
between first and latest contest
They've been repping KCBS contests since 2019-05-24 — 43 contests across 10 seasons in the data.
- 43 contests
- 10 seasons
- since 2019-05-24
Front row for greatness
57
perfect 180s handed in
57 perfect 180s have been scored at contests they've run — the first at Big Bear Grill & Chill on 2019-05-24.
- first at Big Bear Grill & Chill
- 2019-05-24
The longest shot
8-in-100
shot on pre-contest ratings
The ratings favoured the top seed the other 92 times in 100
At Big Bear Grill & Chill BBQ Championships (Day 1), SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQ came in rated below the field's top team, BIG POPPA SMOKERS, and took the Grand Championship anyway.
- 22 upsets at their contests
- 2022-05-27
Title contests
36
state championships run
84% of their contests carried a state title
36 of their 43 contests carried a state championship on the line.
A first Grand Championship
11
teams won their first title here
11 teams took the first Grand Championship of their careers at one of this rep's contests — most recently Big Johns BBQ Company at BBQ Jackpot.
- Big Johns BBQ Company · 2025-11-21
- STEVO'S BBQ TEAM · 2025-02-21
- Red Dog BBQ · 2024-08-23
The big room
90
teams at their biggest contest
Their average field is 27 teams
BBQ Jackpot drew 90 teams — more than double the 27-team field they average.
The double act
44
contests run together
100% of this rep's events
RHONDA SANTIAGO and MICHAEL SANTIAGO have run 44 contests together since 2019.
- 5 co-reps in all
The annual
5×
editions of one contest
They have repped 5 editions of BBQ, Boots & Brew, 5 of them back to back.
- 2021 → 2025
- 5 straight years
A season on the road
10
contests in 2022
2022 was their busiest year on the trail: 10 contests and 234 team entries through the tables.
- 234 team entries
- 8 state championships
Where teams start
120
teams cooked their first contest here
120 teams turned in their first box at a contest this rep was running — for that many teams, this is where the record starts.
- Tres Hermanos · 2026-05-15
- Rusty Smrkovsky · 2026-05-15
- RENOBS · 2026-05-15
Road warrior
6
states and provinces worked
Has run contests in 6 different states and provinces — CA most of all (16 events).
- CA ×16
- AZ ×9
- NV ×5
- UT ×5
Still on the calendar
5
contests still to come
5 contests on their calendar that have not been cooked yet.
- 2026-10-17 · All American BBQ Cook-Off (Day 2)
- 2026-10-16 · All American BBQ Cook-Off (Day 1)
- 2026-10-16 · All American Military/Veterans/First Responders BBQ Contest (COMPETITOR SERIES)
Every single season
8
seasons in a row, and counting
They have worked at least one contest in 8 consecutive seasons — an unbroken run through to the current one.
- 43 contests in all
- since 2019-05-24
Corner to corner
1,059 mi
between the two ends of their map
The two furthest-apart contests on their record sit 1,059 miles apart — Perris and Miles City.
- Perris, CA
- Miles City, MT
- 15,236 mi contest to contest
The story so far (29 numbers that describe this rep)
On the trail
7 yrs
2019-05-24 → 2026-05-15
Among all reps
#60
of 152 reps by events worked · top 39%
Busiest season
2022
10 events · 234 team entries
Contests a season
4.3
across 10 seasons in the data
Seasons in a row
8
still running — 8 and counting
Their busiest month
May
9 of their 43 contests fall in May
Works mostly in
CA
16 of 43 contests · 6 states/provinces in all
Towns worked
18
most often Yuma, AZ (6)
Corner to corner
1,059 mi
Perris to Miles City — the two ends of their map
Road between contests
15,236 mi
about 1,524 miles a season, contest to contest
Average field
27
979 team entries across their contests · median 26
Biggest event
90 teams
BBQ Jackpot (2025-11-21)
Field strength
1592
average power rating of the fields they have run · above 73% of rated contests
Grand Champions crowned
36
26 different teams
First-ever titles
11
teams whose first Grand Championship anywhere came at one of their contests
Teams that started here
120
cooked their first contest in the data at one of theirs
Upsets on the books
22
longest shot 8-in-100 — SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQ
Average winning score
701.54
Master series, 35 contests · 692.85 across all contests
Highest score seen
713.7144
BBQ, Boots & Brew (2023-04-28)
Perfect 180s seen
57
first at Big Bear Grill & Chill (2019-05-24)
Meat entries turned in
3,879
boxes on the boards across every contest they have run
State championships
36
contests carrying a state title
Teams officiated
393
979 entries in all
Contests they return to
9
longest run 5 straight years at BBQ, Boots & Brew
Co-reps worked with
5
most often RHONDA SANTIAGO (44 events)
Busiest 30 days
3 contests
2022-05-06 → 2022-05-28
Prize money on the line
$395,100
summed from the purses listed at their events
Results on file
97%
36 of 37 contests they have run have scored results
Still to come
5
events on the calendar ahead
Milestones (the firsts and the round numbers of a rep's career)
- 2019
- First contest repped Big Bear Grill & Chill
- First state championship Big Bear Grill & Chill
- First Grand Champion crowned Big Bear Grill & Chill
- First perfect 180 at their tables Big Bear Grill & Chill
- First contest outside CA Western Legends Roundup BBQ Cook Off
- COW TIPPIN BBQ won their first-ever Grand Championship Western Legends Roundup BBQ Cook Off
- 2020
- First 40-team field Western Legends Heritage and Music Festival
- 2021
- Back on the trail after 9 months BBQ, Boots & Brew
- 2022
- 10th contest repped BBQ & Brew 'Best in the Southwest' Festival
- Biggest upset seen (8-in-100 shot) Big Bear Grill & Chill BBQ Championships (Day 1)
- 2023
- Highest overall score seen (713.7144) BBQ, Boots & Brew
- 2024
- 25th contest repped Best in the Southwest
- Deepest field worked (1661 avg rating) Best in the Southwest
- 2025
- Biggest field worked (90 teams) BBQ Jackpot
- 2026
- Most recent contest Luna County Heritage Days Festival
- Next on the calendar All American BBQ Cook-Off (Day 1)
Season by season (how many contests a season, and how many carried a state title)
The climb (every contest they have run, added up)
Their year (contests by month)
Where they work
Field size by season (average and biggest)
Field strength by season (avg power rating going in)
What it took to win (Master winning scores)
How the meats scored (board average vs the winning call)
Who keeps winning (titles at their contests)
Career map (gold = state championship · bigger pin = more visits — tap one)
Every season (click a column to sort)
| Season | Contests | States | Entries | Teams | Avg field | Biggest | State champ. | 180s | Purse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2027 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | |
| 2026 | 3 | 103 | 62 | 26 | 33 | 5 | 11 | $125,150 | |
| 2025 | 3 | 171 | 112 | 43 | 90 | 4 | 12 | $41,500 | |
| 2024 | 3 | 114 | 106 | 23 | 39 | 4 | 14 | $40,150 | |
| 2023 | 3 | 125 | 94 | 25 | 33 | 5 | 7 | $48,650 | |
| 2022 | 5 | 234 | 146 | 26 | 43 | 8 | 10 | $69,150 | |
| 2021 | 3 | 103 | 91 | 26 | 27 | 4 | 2 | $25,000 | |
| 2020 | 2 | 86 | 73 | 29 | 42 | 3 | — | $24,500 | |
| 2019 | 2 | 43 | 43 | 22 | 25 | 2 | 1 | $21,000 |
Champions crowned (titles at their contests)
| Team | Titles | Latest |
|---|---|---|
| Meat Candy Q | 6 | 2026-04-17 |
| B' Mackin BBQ | 4 | 2026-02-27 |
| Bushmaster BBQ | 2 | 2023-03-10 |
| BIG POPPA SMOKERS #7 | 2 | 2021-05-21 |
| MAR-B-QUE'S BBQ | 1 | 2026-05-15 |
| Brinkerhoff BBQ | 1 | 2026-03-27 |
| Big Johns BBQ Company | 1 | 2025-11-21 |
| Porterhouse BBQ | 1 | 2025-04-11 |
| STEVO'S BBQ TEAM | 1 | 2025-02-21 |
| Red Dog BBQ | 1 | 2024-08-23 |
| WYO SMOKE SHOW | 1 | 2024-06-14 |
| Cherry Anchor BBQ | 1 | 2024-05-24 |
First-ever Grand Championships (a team's first title anywhere, won here)
| Team | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Big Johns BBQ Company | BBQ Jackpot | 2025-11-21 |
| STEVO'S BBQ TEAM | Best in the Southwest | 2025-02-21 |
| Red Dog BBQ | All American Rib Cookoff (COMPETITOR SERIES) | 2024-08-23 |
| WYO SMOKE SHOW | Miles City Cowtown Cookoff | 2024-06-14 |
| Old Town Franklin BBQ | Field, Fire Fork! | 2023-09-29 |
| Cluster Cluck Barbecue | Miles City Cowtown Cookoff | 2023-06-16 |
| 5th Gear | Big Bear Grill & Chill BBQ Championship | 2023-05-26 |
| OM BBQ COMPANY | Eastern Sierra BBQ, Chili & Salsa Festival | 2022-05-06 |
| OWENS BBQ | Miles City Cowtown Cook Off | 2021-06-25 |
| GETTIN' BASTED BARBEQUE | Red Rock BBQ | 2020-01-03 |
| COW TIPPIN BBQ | Western Legends Roundup BBQ Cook Off | 2019-08-16 |
Contests they keep coming back to
| Contest | Editions | Run | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBQ, Boots & Brew | 5 | 5 straight | 2021–2025 |
| Miles City Cowtown Cookoff | 3 | 3 straight | 2022–2024 |
| Big Bear Grill & Chill BBQ Championships (Day 2) | 3 | 2 straight | 2021–2022 |
| Q's & Brews Bighorn BBQ Competition | 2 | 2 straight | 2026–2027 |
| BBQ Jackpot | 2 | 2 straight | 2025–2026 |
| All American BBQ Cook-Off (Day 2) | 2 | — | 2026–2026 |
| Best in the Southwest | 2 | 2 straight | 2024–2025 |
| Western Legends BBQ Contest | 2 | 2 straight | 2021–2022 |
| 2nd Annual VFW Post 3396 Armed Forces BBQ Challenge (ONE MEAT RIBS) | 2 | — | 2022–2022 |
Where they work (contests by state/province)
| State / province | Contests | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA reps here | 16 | |
| AZ reps here | 9 | |
| NV reps here | 5 | |
| UT reps here | 5 | |
| NM reps here | 4 | |
| MT reps here | 4 |
Towns on their map
| Town | Contests | Latest |
|---|---|---|
| Yuma, AZ | 6 | 2026-02-27 |
| Perris, CA | 5 | 2025-04-11 |
| Big Bear Lake, CA | 5 | 2023-05-26 |
| Miles City, MT | 4 | 2024-06-14 |
| Kanab, UT | 4 | 2022-09-09 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 3 | 2026-11-20 |
| Sunland Park, NM | 3 | 2026-10-17 |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | 2 | 2027-02-19 |
| Sparks, NV | 2 | 2022-07-02 |
| Deming, NM | 1 | 2026-05-15 |
| Lake Havasu, AZ | 1 | 2025-03-28 |
| Auburn, CA | 1 | 2024-08-23 |
Upsets at their contests (champion rated below the field's top seed)
| Contest | Champion | Top seed | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bear Grill & Chill BBQ Championships (Day 1) | SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQ 1544 | BIG POPPA SMOKERS 1975 | 8-in-100 |
| Big Bear Grill & Chill | B' Mackin BBQ 1614 | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ 2024 | 9-in-100 |
| BBQ Jackpot | Big Johns BBQ Company 1611 | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ 2000 | 10-in-100 |
| Big Bear Grill & Chill BBQ Championships | MUDVILLE BBQ 1630 | BIG POPPA SMOKERS 1995 | 11-in-100 |
| Best in the Southwest | STEVO'S BBQ TEAM 1679 | GETTIN' BASTED 1981 | 15-in-100 |
| Western Legends BBQ Contest | Your Behind BBQ 1595 | Burnin and Lootin 1895 | 15-in-100 |
| Western Legends Heritage and Music Festival | UTAH BBQ COMPANY 1693 | BIG POPPA SMOKERS 1991 | 15-in-100 |
| Miles City Cowtown Cookoff | Cluster Cluck Barbecue 1498 | Texas Smoke Whisperer 1797 | 15-in-100 |
The boards at their contests (every meat entry they have run)
| Meat | Entries | Board avg | Winning avg | 180s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 966 | 168.36 | 177.91 | 11 |
| Pork Ribs | 994 | 166.76 | 177.03 | 9 |
| Pork | 961 | 167.50 | 178.81 | 21 |
| Brisket | 958 | 165.58 | 178.73 | 16 |
Frequent co-reps
| Rep | Events together | Share |
|---|---|---|
| RHONDA SANTIAGO | 44 | |
| SCOTT SPRAY | 2 | |
| KELLY MCINTOSH | 2 | |
| KATHLEEN MCINTOSH | 2 | |
| DEBBIE SPRAY | 2 |
Teams that cook under them most
| Team | Contests | Wins | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat Candy Q | 23 | 6 | 2019 |
| B' Mackin BBQ | 20 | 4 | 2019 |
| SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQ | 19 | 1 | 2021 |
| SIMPLY MARVELOUS BBQ | 16 | — | 2020 |
| LADY OF Q | 16 | — | 2019 |
| STEVO'S BBQ TEAM | 15 | 1 | 2019 |
| LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ | 14 | 1 | 2020 |
| GIRLS CAN GRILL | 14 | — | 2019 |
| 7 SINS BBQ | 13 | — | 2019 |
| BIG RED BBQ | 12 | — | 2019 |
| BIG POPPA SMOKERS | 11 | 2 | 2020 |
| 5TH GEAR BBQ | 11 | 1 | 2019 |
Teams whose first contest was one of theirs
| Team | Debut contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tres Hermanos | Luna County Heritage Days Festival | 2026-05-15 |
| Rusty Smrkovsky | Luna County Heritage Days Festival | 2026-05-15 |
| RENOBS | Luna County Heritage Days Festival | 2026-05-15 |
| Matcor | Luna County Heritage Days Festival | 2026-05-15 |
| M&M | Luna County Heritage Days Festival | 2026-05-15 |
| Doc Rhoads | Luna County Heritage Days Festival | 2026-05-15 |
| AZ Buckeye BBQ | Luna County Heritage Days Festival | 2026-05-15 |
| Pappa Joe's Backyard BBQ | The Downtown Grand Master BBQ Showdown | 2026-04-17 |
| Smoke on the Waterfront | Q's & Brews Bighorn BBQ Competition | 2026-03-27 |
| Wired Up Smokers | BBQ Jackpot | 2025-11-21 |
| Sweet T's BBQ Co. | BBQ, Boots & Brew | 2025-04-11 |
| Team Big Meat | BBQ, Boots & Brew | 2025-04-11 |
Every event (click a row for the event, a column to sort)
| Date | Event | Where | Teams | Top score | Prize $ | Grand Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-02-19 | Q's & Brews Bighorn BBQ Competition state champ. upcoming | Lake Havasu City, AZ | — | — | — | — |
| 2026-11-20 | BBQ Jackpot state champ. upcoming | Las Vegas, NV | — | — | $16,400.00 | — |
| 2026-10-17 | All American BBQ Cook-Off (Day 2) upcoming | Sunland Park, NM | — | — | $40,000.00 | — |
| 2026-10-16 | All American BBQ Cook-Off (Day 1) upcoming | Sunland Park, NM | — | — | $35,000.00 | — |
| 2026-10-16 | All American Military/Veterans/First Responders BBQ Contest (COMPETITOR SERIES) upcoming | Sunland Park, NM | — | — | — | — |
| 2026-05-15 | Luna County Heritage Days Festival state champ. | Deming, NM | 16 | 709.6800 | $8,500.00 | Mar-B-Que's BBQ |
| 2026-04-17 | The Downtown Grand Master BBQ Showdown state champ. | Las Vegas, NV | 29 | 704.0112 | $8,150.00 | Meat Candy Q |
| 2026-03-27 | Q's & Brews Bighorn BBQ Competition state champ. | Lake Havasu City, AZ | 33 | 707.9888 | $8,000.00 | Brinkerhoff BBQ |
| 2026-02-27 | BBQ & Brew Festival state champ. | Yuma, AZ | 25 | 703.9428 | $9,100.00 | B' Mackin BBQ |
| 2025-11-21 | BBQ Jackpot state champ. | Las Vegas, NV | 90 | 706.2856 | $16,400.00 | Big Johns BBQ Company |
| 2025-06-20 | Cowtown Cookoff state champ. cancelled | Miles City, MT | — | — | — | — |
| 2025-04-11 | BBQ, Boots & Brew state champ. | Perris, CA | 26 | 695.9544 | $8,000.00 | Porterhouse BBQ |
| 2025-03-28 | Q's & Brews state champ. | Lake Havasu, AZ | 26 | 701.1316 | $8,000.00 | Meat Candy Q |
| 2025-02-21 | Best in the Southwest state champ. | Yuma, AZ | 29 | 698.2172 | $9,100.00 | Stevo's BBQ Team |
| 2024-08-23 | All American Rib Cookoff (COMPETITOR SERIES) | Auburn, CA | 13 | 174.2744 | $2,000.00 | Red Dog BBQ |
| 2024-06-14 | Miles City Cowtown Cookoff state champ. | Miles City, MT | 16 | 705.1088 | $9,450.00 | Wyo Smoke Show |
| 2024-05-24 | Roaring Camp BBQ Cook Off state champ. | Felton, CA | 21 | 713.7028 | $7,500.00 | Cherry Anchor BBQ |
| 2024-04-12 | BBQ Boots & Brew state champ. | Perris, CA | 39 | 705.6800 | $8,000.00 | Rhythm 'N Que |
| 2024-02-23 | Best in the Southwest state champ. | Yuma, AZ | 25 | 702.2400 | $13,200.00 | Meat Candy Q |
| 2023-09-29 | Field, Fire Fork! state champ. | Los Banos, CA | 19 | 697.1088 | $8,000.00 | Old Town Franklin BBQ |
| 2023-06-16 | Miles City Cowtown Cookoff state champ. | Miles City, MT | 22 | 703.3944 | $9,450.00 | Cluster Cluck Barbecue |
| 2023-05-26 | Big Bear Grill & Chill BBQ Championship state champ. | Big Bear Lake, CA | 19 | 698.8116 | $10,000.00 | 5th Gear |
| 2023-04-28 | BBQ, Boots & Brew state champ. | Perris, CA | 33 | 713.7144 | $8,000.00 | Meat Candy Q |
| 2023-03-10 | BBQ & Brew Fest - Best in the Southwest state champ. | Yuma, AZ | 32 | 702.8116 | $13,200.00 | Bushmaster BBQ |
| 2022-09-23 | The Great Kearney BBQ Smoke-Out state champ. | Fresno, CA | 43 | 698.8800 | $8,000.00 | B'Mackin BBQ |
| 2022-09-09 | Western Legends BBQ Contest state champ. | Kanab, UT | 31 | 695.9544 | $10,000.00 | Bushmaster BBQ |
| 2022-07-02 | 2nd Annual VFW Post 3396 Armed Forces BBQ Challenge (ONE MEAT RIBS) | Sparks, NV | — | — | $500.00 | — |
| 2022-07-01 | 2nd Annual VFW Post 3396 Armed Forces BBQ Challenge (MASTERS) | Sparks, NV | 17 | 695.9884 | $6,000.00 | Meat Candy Q |
| 2022-06-24 | Miles City Cowtown Cookoff state champ. | Miles City, MT | 26 | 699.3828 | $9,450.00 | Last Call Heroes BBQ |
| 2022-05-28 | Big Bear Grill & Chill BBQ Championships (Day 2) state champ. | Big Bear Lake, CA | 25 | 698.8116 | $10,000.00 | B'Mackin BBQ |
| 2022-05-27 | Big Bear Grill & Chill BBQ Championships (Day 1) state champ. | Big Bear Lake, CA | 25 | 701.6572 | $10,000.00 | Smokin' Volts BBQ |
| 2022-05-06 | Eastern Sierra BBQ, Chili & Salsa Festival state champ. | Bishop, CA | 4 | 696.5260 | — | OM BBQ COMPANY |
| 2022-04-08 | BBQ, Boots & Brew state champ. | Perris, CA | 29 | 702.2512 | $5,000.00 | Meat Candy Q |
| 2022-02-18 | BBQ & Brew 'Best in the Southwest' Festival state champ. | Yuma, AZ | 34 | 708.0000 | $10,200.00 | Loot N' Booty BBQ |
| 2021-08-20 | Western Legends BBQ Contest state champ. | Kanab, UT | 26 | 690.2284 | $10,000.00 | YSB BBQ |
| 2021-06-25 | Miles City Cowtown Cook Off state champ. | Miles City, MT | 25 | 704.5600 | — | Owens BBQ |
| 2021-05-28 | Big Bear Grill & Chill BBQ Championships state champ. | Big Bear Lake, CA | 27 | 705.1316 | $10,000.00 | Mudville BBQ |
| 2021-05-21 | BBQ, Boots & Brew state champ. | Perris, CA | 25 | 706.2284 | $5,000.00 | Big Poppa Smokers |
| 2020-08-14 | Western Legends Heritage and Music Festival state champ. | Kanab, UT | 42 | 698.2748 | $11,000.00 | Utah BBQ Company |
| 2020-02-28 | Best in the Desert Southwest KCBS BBQ Competition state champ. | Yuma, AZ | 29 | 694.2516 | $7,200.00 | Big Poppa Smokers |
| 2020-01-03 | Red Rock BBQ state champ. | Hurrican, UT | 15 | 698.8112 | $6,300.00 | GETTIN' BASTED BARBEQUE |
| 2019-08-16 | Western Legends Roundup BBQ Cook Off state champ. | Kanab, UT | 18 | 699.4400 | $11,000.00 | CowTippin'BBQ |
| 2019-05-24 | Big Bear Grill & Chill state champ. | Big Bear Lake, CA | 25 | 689.6684 | $10,000.00 | B 'MACKIN BBQ |
| TBA | Los Angeles Backyard (BACKYARD ONLY)-(Postponed) | Los Angeles, CA | — | — | — | — |