Ray Lampe, Dr. BBQ

Ray Lampe, also known as “Dr. BBQ,” is a world-renowned barbeque pitmaster, blogger, and TV celebrity. In 1982, Lampe entered his first BBQ competition and soon afterwards quit his family trucking business in Chicago, to work full-time as a pit-master. Lampe started experimenting with various barbequing techniques and competing in tournaments. He purchased a truck with a licence plate that read “DR BBQ” to transport his BBQ smokers, which would become his moniker, now known all over all over the world. Justin Timberlake’s Southern Hospitality restaurant in New York City hired Lampe as an executive chef in 2008.

Lampe has judged many culinary contests and series on TV, including The World Food Championships in Las Vegas, The Travel Channel’s “American Fried,” and The Food Network’s “Tailgate Warriors with Guy Fieri.” He also appeared on the Food Network’s “Chopped Grillmasters” special and “Best Thing I Ever Ate,” a programme that highlights the favourite dishes of the world’s most popular chefs and food stars.

Lampe is the Spokesperson for The Big Green Egg, a well-known grill and smoker for which he has published a cookbook. Dr. BBQ’s “Barbecue All Year Round!” Cookbook, Pork Chop, and Dr. BBQ’s Big-Time Barbecue Road Ride! are among his co-authored cookbooks. The National Pork Board has Lampe as a supporter and spokesman. He’s participated in more than 300 BBQ competitions and won over 300 awards. Lampe has opened his own restaurant, Dr. BBQ, in his own image, serving up modern American-style BBQ in the Tampa Bay area.