Paul Mackay

A 20-year veteran of the international barbecue circuit, Paul Mackay is the owner of Aussom Aussie Australian BBQ Co. Paul has been featured on the Food Network, Travel Channel, and in numerous publications including Men's Health magazine. He has won over 200 barbecue awards including the Great American Rib Cook-off and the renowned Nugget Best of the West Rib Cook-Off. Vending, competing and winning in Australia, Canada, and the USA, Paul has a broad knowledge of the barbecue landscape. Paul shares his experience and vision with fellow hospitality operations through his consulting and training company OnCue. He received a degree in hospitality management, has owned a restaurant and catering operation, and was the former Director of Food & Beverage for Hilton Hotels. In addition to his thriving barbecue business, Paul has vast experience as an IT professional. He is co-founder of BrokerLogix, an enterprise software platform for the financial industry. He was also the founder of Macrotec, an ahead-of-its-time online B2C auction solution that was eventually overwhelmed by ebay. 

Don't confuse
activity with
action

Amy Mills Tunnicliffe

Amy Mills Tunnicliffe is a writer and professional speaker. She handles the PR, marketing, and special projects for 17th Street Bar & Grill in Southern Illinois. Her book, Peace, Love, and Barbecue was nominated for a 2006 James Beard Foundation award and received the 2006 National Barbecue Association Award of Excellence. Amy earned a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and has had a variety of corporate experience in advertising, direct marketing, and public relations. She shares her experience and vision with fellow hospitality operations through her consulting and training company OnCue. She always wanted to be a glamorous heiress. Little did she dream her fortune would lie in barbecue. 

Mike Mills

In the world of barbecue, champion pitmaster Mike MIlls is affectionately known as "The Legend." He presides over the pits at his seven nationally acclaimed barbecue restaurants—four 17th Street Bar & Grill restaurants in Southern Illinois and three Memphis Championship Barbecue restaurants in Las Vegas. In the early 1990s he was co-captain of the Apple City Barbecue team, one of the most celebrated teams ever on the circuit. He is a four-time World Champion and three-time Grand World Champion at Memphis in May, otherwise known as the Super Bowl of Swine. He is also the 1992 Grand Champion of the Jack Daniel's World Invitational Barbecue Cooking Contest and he won the Jack Daniel's Sauce Contest that year as well. Mike is the barbecue guru at and a partner in Blue Smoke restaurant in New York City. His book, Peace, Love, and Barbecue was nominated for a 2006 James Beard Foundation award and received the 2006 National Barbecue Association Award of Excellence. In October 2008 he was honored with the Pioneer of Barbecue award at the Jack Daniel's World Invitational Barbecue Cooking Contest. 

If it was easy,
everybody'd
be doing it!
 – Mike Mills