Tadano Employee Competes in World Series of Barbecue
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November 2, 2016 - During the week, Rob Arocha is Tadano America’s senior parts technical representative, but on the weekends, you can call him the Pitmaster. Arocha and his competition barbecue team, Bullhorn BBQ of Cypress, Texas, have been challenging other barbecue pit crews since 2012. For the first time, Bullhorn was invited to compete at the 37th Annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Invitational and Open events.
Last weekend at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Bullhorn BBQ was one of 180 competitive teams taking part in the World Series. To be invited, each competitor had to place in a regional event. Arocha was the grand champion of the International Barbeque Cookers Associations’ June Cook-Off, which qualified him to compete.
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“We were honored to be invited to cook in one of the world's premier barbecue contests,” Arocha said. “To be competing alongside some of the most accomplished teams in barbecue was exciting and challenging for us. The pace was fast, with the 30-minute turn-in times, but I thought we adjusted well and turned in a great product.”
In the Open competition, Bullhorn BBQ finished 159 out of 557 teams. “We stayed true to our Texas style and came away from the American Royal with a sense of belonging amongst that group of competitors,” Arocha said. “We had such a great experience that we are already looking forward to next year.”
The night before the competition, Tadano America and Blue Hat Crane hosted customers, vendors, and employees at its tent on the Speedway to sample Arocha’s brisket and chicken. Ken Butz, general manager of sales at Tadano America, and Florian Rothbrust, senior vice president at Blue Hat Crane, welcomed guests to the party.
Bullhorn BBQ will be competing again this weekend at the Inspiring Possibilities 5th Annual Cook-Off in Magnolia, Texas. The team also can be found tailgating at the Houston Texans' home games.
