NHS 2025 CELEBRITY CHEF COOK-OFF

TFTI BBQ - Social Media Marketing | Content Creator | Influencer

My name is Tony Ramirez, aka Tone or TFTI BBQ on social media. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, and raised in the Bay Area CA, I’ve spent over 15 years perfecting my backyard barbecue skills through trial, error, and passion. What started in 2021 as sharing BBQ posts online has become a full-time career w/ over 3M followers. Now, I’m proud to add “author” to my journey with my new cookbook, Backyard BBQ with Fire and Spice.

TV Host, Product Presenter, Home Improvement & Lifestyle Expert

With 20+ years of experience in the home improvement and lifestyle industry, Kathryn Emery is a passionate, vivacious, and knowledgeable expert who helps people create their best home space with confidence and fun. She is the founder of BeTheBestHome.com, a company that provides media and content services for home-related products, trends, innovations, trade shows and retail events. Kathryn spent 17 years in house at Home Depot telling products stories. Kathryn is a versatile and engaging storyteller who can be seen on stage, on screen, online, and in print. She can be found on social media as @kathrynemerytv

Executive Chef

Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Chris Binotto is the visionary owner of Embers & Ash. Raised by his mother, a former Food and Beverage Director at the Disneyland Hotel, Chris developed a deep appreciation for hospitality and culinary excellence at an early age. Over the years, Chef Binotto has honed his craft under some of the industry’s most esteemed talents, including Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and James Beard Award winner Jimmy Schmidt. He worked for celebrity Chef Graham Elliot, playing a pivotal role in achieving two consecutive Michelin Stars and securing the Forbes Five-Star Award at the prestigious Montage Laguna Beach. Chris has showcased his culinary prowess on Food Network’s hit shows Chopped and BBQ Brawl, with more exciting appearances on the horizon. His work has been featured in two cookbooks and celebrated by renowned publications such as Forbes, FoodBeast, Eater, and LA Weekly, among others. Chef Binotto continues to push the boundaries of fire-driven cuisine, blending innovation with a passion for authentic flavors.

Papa Dan's BBQ

Hi, I’m Dan Correa, the heart and hands behind Papa Dan’s BBQ. I grew up in Vallejo, California, in the vibrant Bay Area, where I was lucky to be surrounded by a melting pot of cultural foods from around the world. My BBQ journey started about 10-15 years ago, grilling and smoking for family and friends. What began as a passion turned into a calling a few years ago when I decided to showcase my cooking on social media after some encouragement from a few close friends.. Since then, the adventure has been incredible—I’ve met amazing people, traveled across the country, and shared my love for BBQ while learning from talented cooks across the United States and beyond. For me, BBQ is more than just food; it’s about connection. Food and fire have the unique power to bring people together, turning friends into family. At Papa Dan’s BBQ, that’s exactly what we aim to do—celebrate great flavors and create unforgettable moments.

Stayrootedbbq

A passionate cook dedicated to blending unique flavors to create dishes everyone can enjoy. Inspired by my close friend Tone (TFTIBBQ), I embarked on a media journey to share my love for cooking and the art of BBQ with the world.