Troy discovered the world of competitive barbecue while on assignment for Southern Living magazine, and quickly fell in love. Soon he was developing his own recipes and preparing to compete, and stepped out as a full-time barbecue competitor in 2006.

Since then, Troy has enjoyed huge success on the highly competitive KCBS barbecue circuit. He has consistently finished in the top 10 and has been featured on The Food Network, The Travel Channel, The CBS Early Show and numerous other national television and radio shows. His awards to date include 11 state championships and over 300 top 10 awards.

Troy is the author of The Big Book of BBQ, a joint venture with Southern Living magazine's food editors. Released in 2010, this comprehensive guide to low and slow barbecue, grilling, sides, cocktails and desserts is now one of the top sellers in the publisher's history. In May of 2011, the book was released as an iPad® app. Also in 2010, he released the all-encompassing DVD, Real BBQ Know How, teaching from start to finish, the techniques of authentic, low and slow barbecue.

The competitive barbecue circuit and his notoriety has given Troy a unique opportunity to represent various national brands. These days, Troy uses his on-stage talents to educate people in the art of traditional low and slow barbecue and grilling techniques as he tours the country on the Sam’s Club® National BBQ Tour.

You can often find Troy burning up the interstates and backroads with his best friend Rocco, a boxer-mastiff mix who has become somewhat of a barbecue rock star himself.