07/04/2026
Alan NIchols is requesting votes. Many have attended North Carolina BBQ Society BBQ Boot Camp which he was on the staff. His sport is a little different from most, Competition BBQ. Humbled and honored to be nominated for the “Better Than BBQ” Award, given in memory of the legendary Pitmaster Ercole "Ercol" Chila from Uncle Pigs BBQ. This award isn't about who cooks the best brisket—it is about Generosity & Mentorship, Friendship & Service, and Compassion & Dedication and it represents the heart of the BBQ community, and I would be deeply grateful for your vote. At 78 years old, I can look back and say that I have dedicated most of my life to serving others. For me, BBQ and community have always gone hand-in-hand. Here is a look at the journey that led to this nomination:
A Lifetime of Service & Community
Operation BBQ Relief: 2019 Volunteer of the Year (9 years of service, over 20 disaster deployments)
Operation BBQ Relief: 2025 Grass Roots Award recipient (for local advocacy and community impact)
Small business owner Nichols Floral: 18 yrs
Whitesville Lions Club: 8 years
Whitesville Fire Department: Fireman of the Year (23 years of service)
American Red Cross: Volunteer of the Year, alongside my wonderful wife (11 years of service) Have donated over 25 gallons of blood
North Carolina BBQ Society Wall of Fame inductee
Class of 1965, Sherman High School, Seth WV
Whitesville Jr High School
Sylvester Grade School
US Army Vietnam, Presidential Honor Guard Washington DC,
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal for Heroism
5 Air Medals
Combat Infantry Badge
-Generosity, Mentorship, & the BBQ Family
I’ve been a Master KCBS BBQ Judge for 18 years, but my passion is being in the trenches with the cooks. When I started competing by myself about 5 years ago, I realized how tough it could be to get the answers needed to grow. Because of that, I made a promise to never let another cook struggle if I could help it. Today, pitmasters on the circuit know that my trailer is always stocked with extras—whether you need rubs, sauces, electrical cords, water hoses, splitters, or just a bit of hard-earned advice. I’ve been proud to act as the "go-to machine" for teams when their own gear or knowledge fell short. I’ve mentored rookies on their very first cooks and shared tips with seasoned veterans. In fact, I was lucky enough to call Ercole a friend, and even helped him out a few times when he found himself short on a rub! Receiving the text messages and "thank yous" from teams sharing their success is the greatest reward I could ask for. Winning an award bearing Ercole's name would be a monumental honor. If you believe in mentorship, a lifetime of giving back, and keeping the true spirit of the BBQ family alive, please consider casting your vote for me. Thank you all for your continued support, friendship, and love!
In Remembrance of Ercole Chila Presented annually at the Smoke on the Rail BBQ Festival, the Bigger Than BBQ Award recognizes an individual within the […]
