Community Highlights: Meet Emily Detwiler of The Kansas City Barbeque Society

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Detwiler.

Emily, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have nearly 20 years of working in marketing and the food business. I’ve worked in Brand Strategy and Marketing for brands such as Borden Cheese, Hostess, and Smithfield, as well as with grocery retailers to develop their Own Brand programs. I studied Marketing and Management, earning my undergraduate degree at Drake University and completing my MBA at the University of Missouri. Over the last 8 years, I’ve spent significant time working on barbeque and food sports. My leadership within the space led the Kansas City Barbeque Society Board of Directors to me, seeking me to take on the Chief Executive Officer role for the world’s largest non-profit barbeque membership and sanctioning organization.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Barbeque is about bringing people together; through food, fellowship, and fun! Things at the Kansas City Barbeque Society had been going along very well until COVID hit. We sanctioned nearly 500 barbeque contests and classes across the U.S. and 37 countries. When it started impacting our European membership and contests, we knew it wouldn’t be long until it hit the U.S. The Board of Directors and I quickly put our heads together and developed safety protocols. That contest organizers and municipalities could use to verify that we had safety first in our mindset and processes, allowing these contests to proceed; while keeping our members, judges, cooks, and volunteers safe. We could safely hold 150 contests during 2020 when it could have been ZERO. This year we are back up to about 400 contests, although rising fuel prices have been a big challenge recently.

We’ve been impressed with The Kansas City Barbeque Society, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, celebrating, promoting, and educating the public about Barbeque as distinctively American cuisine. KCBS is the world’s largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts, with approximately 16,000 members in the U.S. and over 37 countries. KCBS sanctions nearly 400 barbeque contests worldwide, including destination contests such as the American Royal World Series of Barbeque© and the Jack Daniel’s Invitational. For more information, visit us online at www.KCBS.us, on Facebook at @KansasCityBarbequeSociety, on Instagram at @kcbbqsociety, and Twitter @KCBBQSociety.

Do you have any advice for those just starting?
Just get involved. There are many wonderful opportunities to get involved in Kansas City and beyond. When it comes to Barbeque, come to a KCBS sanctioned contest or take a Certified Barbeque Judge class. Not only will you learn a lot about Barbeque, but I’ll also welcome you into the barbeque family!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kcbs.us
• Instagram: @kcbbqsociety
• Facebook: @thekansascitybarbequesociety
• Twitter: @kcbbqsociety

Image Credits
Image credits to Kansas City Barbeque Society I’d be glad to send you more pics, but having trouble with your website uploader.