40+ Years of
Championship BBQ.
From the first Memphis in May in 1978 to today — the complete journey of Jim Quessenberry and the Arkansas Trav'ler Cooking Team.
1978
Jim competed at the very first Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest — one of about 10 teams on the inaugural field. He returned every year through 1994, over 15 years on the circuit.
Mid-1980s
Jim formalized his crew as the Arkansas Trav'ler Cooking Team out of Northeast Arkansas, carrying Cross County pit tradition to the national competition circuit.
1985
Traveled to Lisdoonvarna, Ireland and won the Irish Cup International Barbecue Contest — becoming World Champions. The Arkansas Trav'ler team proved that authentic Arkansas BBQ could compete on the world stage.
"The sauce and rub recipes that would become Sauce Beautiful and Spice Beautiful were born on these international competition circuits."
1987
Returned to Ireland and won the Irish Cup International Barbecue Contest again — two-time World Champions. Solidified Jim's reputation as a pitmaster legend and established the Arkansas Trav'ler team as international BBQ royalty.
1989
Sons Lee (age 7) and Michael (age 5) began learning the craft, appearing on camera rubbing ribs and absorbing their father's techniques. This footage captures the authentic passing of championship knowledge from one generation to the next.
1990
Featured on Memphis Channel 3 News during Memphis in May competition. Jim's larger-than-life personality and championship pedigree brought local media attention to the Arkansas Trav'ler team.
1993
The entire family competed together at Memphis in May. Jim, Lee, and Michael represented the culmination of years of championship knowledge being passed down. Today, Lee and Michael provide commentary on this footage, sharing insights into their father's techniques.
2000
Jim Quessenberry passed away, but his championship legacy lived on through his sons, the original recipes, and the decades of memories created in competition pits and backyard cookouts across the country.
2014
Lee and Michael revived Jim's exact original recipes and brought the sauces to market through Bluff City BBQ Supply in Memphis. The championship flavors that won world titles were now available to backyard pitmasters everywhere.
2014-Present
The complete Jim Quessenberry BBQ line launched, featuring Sauce Beautiful Original, White, Hot, Gold and Spice Beautiful Hickory & Original. Same small-batch approach. Same championship taste. Same Arkansas roots. Available in stores across Arkansas and nationwide online.
Taste 40+ Years of Championship Legacy
The same championship flavors that won the Irish Cup in 1985 and 1987 — now available for your backyard cookouts.
