Mike Mills — universally known in the BBQ world as 'The Legend' — was a three-time Grand World Champion at Memphis in May, one of the most demanding BBQ competitions on earth. He founded 17th Street Barbecue in Murphysboro, Illinois out of a century-old building and turned it into a nationally acclaimed institution.
Mills brought barbecue to audiences far beyond the competition circuit — he was a founding partner in Memphis Championship Barbecue in Las Vegas and helped establish The Big Apple Barbecue Block Party in New York City. His world-class ribs caught the attention of President Bill Clinton, who sought Mills out to cook for him. ('Did he pay you?' people always asked. 'Well yes, he did. I couldn't show favoritism,' Mills said.)
He co-authored Peace, Love & Barbecue (2005) and Praise the Lard (2017) with his daughter Amy Mills. He was inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame and died on December 29, 2020 at age 79. Like Jim Quessenberry, he understood that championship BBQ is built on respect for the ingredients, the process, and the people you're feeding.
Accolades
- 3x Grand World Champion — Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue
- Barbecue Hall of Fame Inductee
- Founder — 17th Street Barbecue, Murphysboro, IL
- Founding partner — Memphis Championship Barbecue, Las Vegas
- Co-founder — Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, New York City
- Co-author — Peace, Love & Barbecue (2005)
- Co-author — Praise the Lard (2017)
- Cooked BBQ for President Bill Clinton