Hailing from Kansas City, KS—the BBQ capital of the world—Richard Fergola, known to many as Fergie, is a seasoned pitmaster, competition champion, and barbecue educator. Like many, Richard’s BBQ journey began in his backyard, but in 2012, Fergolicious BBQ was born, setting him on a path to become one of the most recognized names in competitive barbecue.

A former high school teacher and coach for 21 years, Richard has taken his passion for teaching from the classroom to the pit, leading BBQ and grilling classes worldwide. With over 225 barbecue competitions under his belt, he has claimed more than 40 Grand and Reserve Grand Championships, including a coveted World Championship title in 2021.

Beyond competition, Richard is the creator of six world-class barbecue seasonings, sold across the globe under Richard Fergola Barbecue Seasonings. His expertise and dynamic personality have also landed him on the national stage, with appearances on BBQ Pitmasters (Destination America), Chopped and BBQ USA with Michael Symon (Food Network), and Barbecue Country (The Country Network).

Whether he’s competing, teaching, or sharing his passion for BBQ with the world, Richard Fergola continues to represent the craft with authenticity, dedication, and, of course, a whole lot of flavor.