OUR GUESTS OF HONOR

Former professional rugby player and Franco-Canadian pitmaster, BIG T (Thierry Cornuet) is the driving force behind Shack & Co, one of France's premier barbecue destinations. Founder of France's first barbecue school and author of L'Art du Barbecue, he is widely recognized for elevating cooking over live fire to the level of fine dining. His creativity, technical expertise, and mastery of fire have earned him a reputation that extends far beyond France's borders.

Kyle Thomas Wyatt is the founder of Kyle's Fried Chicken + BBQ, a renowned barbecue destination located in London, Ontario, celebrated for its authentic low-and-slow barbecue and legendary fried chicken.
Passionate about traditional American barbecue, Kyle has built a strong reputation through his mastery of fire, attention to detail, and commitment to serving generous, comforting, and community-driven food.
His restaurant was named among the Top 50 BBQ Restaurants Outside the United States, a prestigious distinction within the international barbecue community. Whether working the smokers or in the kitchen, Kyle embodies a style of barbecue where patience, precision, humour, and hospitality come together to create memorable experiences around the fire.

Armando is the founder and pitmaster of Armando's BBQ, one of Montréal's premier destinations for authentic Texas-style barbecue. Driven by a true passion for traditional low-and-slow cooking, he has spent years perfecting the art of smoking brisket, ribs, and pork over wood fire, staying true to the techniques and flavors that have made Central Texas barbecue world-renowned.
Through private events, catering services, and pop-ups, Armando has built a loyal following by delivering exceptional quality, genuine hospitality, and some of the finest smoked meats in Québec.

Kevin Kelly is the creator of Kevin's BBQ Joints, one of the most trusted and far-reaching media platforms dedicated to artisan barbecue, built over more than a decade of travel, hundreds of pitmaster interviews, and a database of over 10,000 barbecue destinations across North America.
Through his stories, features, and on-the-ground visits, he shines a spotlight on the people behind the pit—the craftsmanship, the history, and the dedication required to turn smoke and fire into something worth driving hours for. Over the years, he has earned the trust of the pitmasters who define the craft. A true ambassador of barbecue culture, Kevin is known for his curiosity, generosity as an interviewer, and genuine love for the craft. Whether he's sitting down with a legend or discovering a hidden gem, his mission remains the same: to ensure the people keeping this tradition alive receive the recognition they deserve.

Master butcher and master pitmaster, Robertjan Marini is the co-owner of Marché Gendreault, a true Eastern Townships institution renowned for the exceptional quality of its meats. Backed by many years of experience in both butchery and traditional meat smoking, he has mastered the art of selecting the finest cuts and transforming them with patience, precision, and respect for the craft.
Proudly representing his home region as the local guest of the Smoke Without Borders Festival, Robertjan will share his expertise, passion for live-fire cooking, and love of barbecue with festival guests.

Martin Delisle is the founder and pitmaster of Dunham Smokehouse, a premier destination dedicated to authentic CEN-TEX (Central Texas) barbecue in the heart of Québec's Eastern Townships.
After spending several years traveling to study traditional barbecue techniques alongside some of the industry's finest pitmasters and artisans, he has earned a reputation for his mastery of live-fire cooking, meticulous attention to detail, and deep respect for authentic methods.
Through Dunham Smokehouse, Martin shares his passion for handcrafted barbecue while helping to promote and grow the culture of Texas barbecue among enthusiasts both at home and abroad.

LOCATION & SCHEDULE