TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple High School Pitmasters BBQ Team will have a chance to compete for a state championship after qualifying to advance to the Texas High School BBQ Association State Competition by smoking its competition at a Regional Qualifier cookoff this past weekend in Copperas Cove.
The Pitmasters posted a second-place team finish at the Regional Cookoff in Copperas Cove on Saturday (November 7) to punch their ticket to the State Competition. Temple High School won first place to claim Regional Championships in both the pork chop and chicken wings categories. The Pitmasters were Reserve Grand Champions with a second-place finish in ribs and added a third-place finish in Dutch-oven dessert. The team also competed in the burgers competition as part of the Regional Championship. The team is coached by Joe and Allison Medrano, who are thrilled to see the hard work the students have put in be rewarded with a spot in the State Competition.
“This is not easy and I think the kids really understand that and are dedicated to it,” Allison Medrano said. “This is something they can use for the rest of their lives. We really enjoy working with the kids and you never know exactly how it is going to turn out. Some of these kids have never competed in an event like this and it is really eye-opening for them at the beginning. But they have worked so hard and we are just so proud of them and happy to be going back to state!”
“It feels good to be going to state,” said Joseph Palinek, a Temple HS sophomore in his first year on the team. “I am really excited and certainly think we can go there, win it, and go to nationals.”
Senior Hunter Frank was a member of last year’s state and national qualifying Pitmasters team. As one of the returners this year, he sees the opportunity to lead some of his younger teammates as they grow into the team’s high expectations.
“It is a good feeling to be going back to state,” Frank said. “It is a little different in some aspects this year and the team seems to get along very well. We want to go to state, win there, and advance back to nationals.”
During competition, each team is responsible for turning in five different items on a very rigid timeline. This year’s Regional Competition included categories for chicken wings, pork chops, ribs, burgers, and a Dutch-oven dessert. Team members are responsible for individual items during the competition, but they also must work together to create the finished products for judging. In addition to learning the proper techniques for cooking and seasoning the food, the team members are learning lessons that will stay with them long after the competition ends.
“One of the main things we learn is communication,” said Michael Capell, a Temple HS junior in his first year on the team. “Leadership and accountability are a big part of it. I understand now how much work goes into this and how putting in this work can help me achieve great things in the future.”
“Teamwork is the most important thing,” added Palinek. “Staying in communication to make sure we are all on the same page, especially in such a fast-paced environment. This can really help you get prepared for the work environment because you have to be able to figure things out as you go along.”
“This prepares you to be a leader in whatever you are going to be doing,” Frank said. “Job readiness goes along with all of those lessons.”
Team members practice at least six hours every weekend. Many of the team members are also involved in other extra-curricular activities at Temple High School.
The Texas High School BBQ Association State Championship will be held May 1, 2027, at Burnet High School. The Temple High School Pitmasters finished third at the state competition last year and have posted two top five National finishes since the team’s first year of competition in 2022-2023. This year’s National Cookoff, known as “The Slab,” will be held June 3-6th in Missouri.