American Royal Names 2025 Barbecue Hall of Fame® Inductees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American Royal Names 2025 Barbecue Hall of Fame® Inductees
Barbecue industry legends recognized for their contributions to craft, community, and culture

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 21, 2025) — The American Royal is excited to announce the 2025 inductees into the Barbecue Hall of Fame®, signifying the highest honor in barbecue. This year, four inductees and three legacy honorees will be welcomed into the Barbecue Hall of Fame, which aims to recognize, document and preserve barbecue heritage.

David Klose, Houston, Texas; Roy Perez, Lockhart, Texas; Donny Teel, Sperry, Oklahoma; and Helen Turner, Brownsville, Tennessee, are this year’s Barbecue Hall of Fame inductees, denoting significant contributions to the barbecue community throughout their careers.

Ernest Alexander, Houston, Texas; Walter Jetton, Fort Worth, Texas; and Paul Schatte, Ponca City, Oklahoma have been selected as legacy members. Additionally, National Barbecue News is the recipient of the Impact Award, given to a group of individuals for their lifetime commitment to barbecue.

The 2025 inductees are some of the most elite barbecue visionaries, competitive pitmasters and long-time business owners from across the U.S. Learn more about each of them:

• David Klose has been teaching others how barbecue can change their lives for over 40 years. Through his grill and smoker manufacturing business, Klose found his niche by making sure every product fits the owner’s needs and he coaches people on flavor profiles, competition cooking and more. During his tenure in barbecue, Klose has won many awards including World Barbecue Grand Champion and was chosen as the International Ambassador of Barbecue to represent The World BBQ Organization. Klose has been featured on many TV shows and has used his talents through philanthropic efforts with his local community and in support of military families.
• Roy Perez, a lifetime resident of Lockhart, Texas, inadvertently began his barbecue career as a sausage cook at Kreuz Market. Years later, the owner and Perez’ mentor, Rick Schmidt, promoted Perez to pitmaster and he went on to learn all the aspects of a traditional Texas barbecue business. Perez prioritizes his customers by making them feel at home and upholding tradition in Texas barbecue.
• Donny Teel has cooked in over 800 barbecue contests across the U.S., amassing more than 100 Grand Championships and cementing his status as a competitive barbecue titan. As founder of the Oklahoma BBQ Run and mentor to countless pitmasters, Teel has contributed as much to the community as he has to the competition scene. He also operates Buffalo’s Barbecue in his hometown of Sperry, Oklahoma, and has served on the boards of both the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) and the Oklahoma BBQ Society, leaving a lasting mark on the sport and culture of barbecue.
• Helen Turner is an influential pitmaster and vocal champion for women in barbecue. As the owner of Helen’s Bar-B-Q in Brownsville, Tennessee, she has built a nationally acclaimed reputation for her wood-smoked pork shoulders and steadfast commitment to tradition. Turner has not only mastered her craft but has also broken barriers in a male-dominated industry—empowering a new generation of women to follow in her footsteps. Recognized with the Southern Foodways Alliance’s Ruth Fertel Keeper of the Flame Award, Helen continues to inspire with her skill, leadership and unshakeable presence in the barbecue world.

The Barbecue Hall of Fame legacy inductees may no longer be with us but have been selected based on the remarkable impact they made on barbecue during their lifetime. Learn more about each of them:

• Ernest “Aleck” Alexander, a revered pitmaster and brick mason, ran one of the premier rib joints in Atlanta, Aleck’s Barbecue Heaven, for almost half a century. His restaurant became a cultural landmark during the civil rights era, famously frequented by his friend, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Aleck’s influence continues as a symbol of culinary craftsmanship, Black entrepreneurship and cultural history in the American South.
• Walter Jetton, dubbed the “King of Barbecue,” gained national fame as President Lyndon B. Johnson’s personal pitmaster. With chuckwagon showmanship and classic Texas fare, Jetton brought barbecue to the White House and beyond, serving millions and penning one of the earliest iconic barbecue cookbooks, Walter Jetton’s LBJ Barbecue Cook Book. Jetton’s influence helped shape Texas barbecue and left a mark on American culinary history.
• Paul Schatte was a competitive barbecue legend and business visionary from Ponca City, Oklahoma. After a successful career as a pitmaster—including a Jack Daniel’s World Championship—he became General Manager of Head Country Food Products, growing it into an international brand with distribution into more than a dozen countries. An educator at heart, Schatte mentored generations of barbecue competitors while serving his local community with the same passion he brings to every pit and plate.

The Barbecue Hall of Fame is also honoring the National Barbecue News and its founding families as the 2025 Impact Award winners. In 1990, Carlene and Joe Phelps, along with Frances and Donald “Doc” Gillis, started the National Barbecue News. At the time, it was the only source for news about barbecue restaurants, teams, competitions and contest locations around the country. In 1991, the Phelps and Gillis families were also founding members of the National Barbecue Association to serve the needs of the expansive, diverse and ever-growing barbecue industry. Over the years, the Association has grown into a dynamic trade association supporting all aspects of barbecue and grilling and works to promote public engagement, education and appreciation for America’s rich barbecue heritage. Today, Janet and Kell Phelps are continuing the work of Kell’s family as they lead both the magazine and organization into their 35th year.

“Each Hall of Fame inductee has shaped barbecue in their own unique way—from building community and preserving tradition to driving innovation and global recognition,” said Pat Macy, managing director of the American Royal Association. “We are proud to honor this group of individuals committed to sharing their love of the craft.”

This year’s inductees will be recognized at a black apron presentation and induction ceremony on November 8 during the 45th American Royal World Series of Barbecue®, in Kansas City, Kansas. For more information about the American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame, visit barbecuehalloffame.com.

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About the American Royal Association
A Kansas City tradition since 1899, the American Royal is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to be the nation’s leader for food and agriculture education, events, and engagement. The American Royal provides opportunities for nearly half a million youth and adults from around the world to engage in high-quality events and experiences, including nationally competitive livestock shows, the world’s largest barbecue competition, regional and national equine shows, youth and professional rodeos, and elementary and secondary education outreach. Support from partners, members, and volunteers help the American Royal achieve its vision of a world where food and agriculture are celebrated, and all generations are committed to its future.

Media Contact
Julie Warner
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