Hats off to Rabbi Mendel Segal

I want to express my admiration and thanks to Rabbi Mendel Segal for the logistical skill with which he oversaw the second annual Kansas City Kosher BBQ Festival.

As a regular participant in barbecue competitions around the country and throughout the year, I am familiar with the tremendous amount of effort and organization it takes to run a successful event. Being able to pull it off is challenging enough. Making it kosher — from the meat to the ingredients to the smokers and utensils — is downright amazing. And watching Mendel handle it all was very impressive.

He organized the ordering and distribution of all the meats and equipment to the competitors. He also cooked food for the concession at the festival. And he served as the official MC of the event, welcoming everyone and making sure it all ran smoothly. It was quite a feat, and I was in awe of how much effort he put into it.

My wife Jessica, my brother Michael and I — the “Full House BBQ” team — were honored to be chosen the overall champions. But our hats are off to Rabbi Mendel Segal, who has established a winning approach to running a barbecue competition that rivals any other in the country — and has the Vaad Hakashruth seal of approval!

Jimmy Nickle

Village Shalom Food Production Manager