Chef McPeake has been competing off and on for 20 years. He was a team member on the Grand Champion Commercial Division Team of the American Royal. (1982) Competing with 7 other chefs from Gilbert Robinson under the name Sam Wilson's Meat Market a local chain of BBQ restaurants during the late 70's early 80's. Richard coninued to compete for 4 more years winning several awards at the American Royal each year. Then the restaurant opening schedules became to much to keep competing and Chef McPeake called it quits in 1987!
Fast forward to 1997 American Royal, about three months before that, his good friend Bruce Campbell talked to him about possibly cooking in the Royal, McPeake's first comments were "no way, been there done that!", Bruce continue to discuss the subject and Chef McPeake was talked out of retirement by his good BBQ buddy, Bruce Campbell (F.B.G.) Together they formed the name RIB STARS!
Chef McPeake has build the name RIB STARS BBQ into a registered tradmark BBQ business, selling cookbooks and a successful line of RIB STARS Rub Me Tender® Dry rubs, Award Winners 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008 for both Mild and hot rub. His Rib Rub won 1st place at the 2004 American Royal Sauce & Rub contest for "Best" Hot rub!
RIB STARS is now entering its 10 year of competition, there have been good years and bad years! But in the last 7 years the RIB STARS team has won over 150 awards while only competing in an average of 6 contest a year.
The team only travels as far as one hour outside of of the Kansas city Area.
Together Bruce & Richard have been teaching Art of Smokology classes and Grilling classes at The Culinary Center of Kansas City in Overland Park (MBQI-Midwest barbecue Instittue) they have taught over 250 classes teaching over 9000 students in teh Art of Smoking and Grilling.
A True success story about friends, having hobbies and a true "love" for the ART!