 Salem, Oregon resident, Bruce Bjorkman, better known as "Mr. Barbecue", has been playing with fire for most of his life...fortunately the fires were contained inside outdoor cooking units!
Bjorkman is immersed in the barbecue life-style, working full-time as Director of Marketing for Traeger Pellet Grills, a position he's held since 1999. Traeger is the largest barbecue grill manufacturer West of the Mississippi. He is responsible for developing all of Traeger's dealer and consumer advertising and marketing materials and programs A former columnist-At-Large for the National Barbecue News, author of The Great Barbecue Companion, (1996-The Crossing Press), he's been a contributor to Barbecue Today, The KCBS Bullsheet, countless newspapers and magazines, Bjorkman is an expert on the subject of barbecue, grilling and smoking. Aside from the printed media, Bjorkman has appeared on segments for the Grilling and Barbecuing Workshop for the D-I-Y (Do-It-Yourself) Network, Food Network and HGTV. In October, 2002, Bjorkman was summoned to Italy as a key presenter during the Slow Foods International, Salone Del Gusto. His workshop on American Barbecue was one of the first workshop sessions to sell-out. Bjorkman hosts "Cooking Outdoors With Mr. Barbecue" on radio station KXL 750AM, Portland, Oregon. The year 'round weekly program airs every Saturday beginning at Noon, and is featured on The Northwest Cable News Network with weekly cooking tips every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Bjorkman holds an Advanced Pitmaster Degree, and is a Certified Barbecue Judge, conferred upon him by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, has been the Head Cook for his "Born 2 Que Krew" competition barbecue team, and has been a judge at the famed Memphis In May and American Royal and Jack Daniels World Championship Barbecue Cook-off.. Bjorkman is a KCBS certified barbecue judge. Since 1994, Bjorkman and fellow fire tender, Kim Wallis have conducted an intensive six-hour hands-on barbecue-training course known as BBQ-U.® The course regularly sells out and has consistently received high marks and recommendations from course attendees. |