Honoring Barbecue News Magazine’s Induction into the American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame
– A Tribute from The Shed BBQ Family

There are moments in the barbecue world that stop you in your tracks—moments that feel bigger than trophies, bigger than titles, bigger than any single flame on a pit. This year in Kansas City, we witnessed one of those moments as our dear friends Kell and Janet Phelps at Barbecue News Magazine were officially—and long overdue—inducted into the American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame. To say The Shed BBQ Family is proud doesn’t begin to cover the joy we felt. We were moved to tears, standing there with full hearts, honoring a legacy that has shaped, supported, and lifted our entire community for decades.

From its earliest days, Barbecue News Magazine was more than a publication. It was a lifeline. A storyteller. A keeper of history. A loud, unapologetic champion for every pitmaster, every backyard dreamer, every competitor rolling into a muddy field at sunrise with smoke on their clothes and hope in their chest. In 1990 the founding members of Barbecue News Magazine, Joe and Carlene Phelps and Dr. “Doc” Donald and Frances Gillis built this publications foundation rooted in passion, truth-telling, and a genuine love for this craft we all share. Today that legacy is carried forward with grace, grit, and heart by Kell and Janet Phelps. This generation of leadership has honored the magazine’s heritage while pushing it forward with fresh energy and unwavering dedication. Kell and Janet have never been afraid to show up—to put in the miles, to shake the hands, to celebrate the wins, and to walk alongside teams during the hard seasons. They have championed the barbecue world with a humility that makes this honor even sweeter.In recent years, Barbecue News has seen its readership grow across every age group. The publication now proudly features a monthly “Future of Q” column and website packed with recipes, stories, and inspiration designed to spark a love for cooking within the next generation and celebrate the universal community of food, a place where no language barrier exists.

For The Shed BBQ Family, this recognition feels deeply personal. We’ve grown up with Barbecue News Magazine, using it’s publications as a learning and networking tool throughout our twenty-four years in business. We have felt many moments of support, laughter and the encouragement we needed while reading the always, very intentional words printed each month.

Standing outside at The American Royal in Kansas city with a wind chill of 21 degrees, we forgot how cold it was for that moment, listening closely to barbecue legend and Hall of Fame host, Ray Lampe a.k.a. “Dr. BBQ” speak so sincerely about the history of National Barbecue News Magazine. We felt the weight of all the years, all the work, all the love poured into this publication through his words and the acceptance speech from Kell Phelps. We felt the pride of knowing this was right. This was deserved. This was history.

Kell, Janet, their team and the many writing contributors and journalist have always been there—not just as storytellers and Pitmasters, but as friends, as family, as believers in what barbecue can mean when it brings people together. Each of you play a very important part in the ongoing evolution of Barbecue.

To our Phelps family: Your legacy is soaked in smoke, sealed in passion, and held together by the countless lives you’ve touched. Thank you for giving barbecue a voice. Thank you for lifting up the stories, sharing the recipes and documenting this ever changing world of barbecue.

From The Shed BBQ Family to the Barbecue News Magazine, from our pits to your pages, we celebrate you with full hearts!

Congratulations on your Hall of Fame induction! Kell Yeah!

Sincerely,
The Shed BBQ Family