Former Lady Vol basketball player and ESPN/SEC Network personality Andraya Carter will serve as a judge for the Johnsonville Titanium Tongsman Saturday ahead of the Southeastern Conference championship game.
Earlier this fall, Johnsonville held its Titanium Tongsman Contest for a second season, tasking the proudest of the proud carnivores – whose level of tailgating, grilling wisdom and love of sausage is boundless – showcasing how they make room on the grill for Johnsonville sausage.
From favorite sausage recipes, to elite tong-flipping skills and even just throwing their favorite variety of sausage on the grill – Tongsmen and women throughout the southeast went big and bold and made it clear that they’re a top griller when it comes to backyard BBQs or tailgating.
Now, two finalists have been selected and are headed to Atlanta, Georgia to prove who is this season’s Johnsonville Titanium Tongsman.
Ricky Albright III of Troy, Alabama was selected for his delicious “Seared & Braised Beer Brats with Vegetables and Lime Ranch Dressing” recipe – featuring Fresh Johnsonville Beer Brats.
Squaring off against the Alabama native is Tom Rose of Middle River, Maryland. – who showcased his top- notch skills at the grill with his “Helen G. Rose Ultimate Sausage Sandwich” recipe. Named in honor of Rose’s grandmother, the sausage sandwich also features Beer Brats and Rose’s homemade “Mississippi comeback” sauce.
As finalists in the Johnsonville Titanium Tongsman Contest, Albright and Rose will compete in a live cook-off event with the brand before the 2022 SEC championship game in Atlanta, Georgia Saturday.
Albright will be paired with seven-time world barbecue champion and BBQ Hall of Famer Melissa Cookston, while Rose will man the grill with social media star, published cookbook author and popular reality TV chef competitor, Kolby “Kash” Chandler.
The two Tongsmen finalists will battle it out, with Cookston and Chandler at their sides, grilling their sausage-based recipe during a 30-minute contest in hopes of being crowned the Titanium Tongsman.
Ahead of Saturday’s event, Carter discussed the 2022 football season with Vols Wire. Carter’s analysis of the 2022 season and being a judge is listed below.