Eastern Iowa Barbecuer Competes on Popular Netflix Show [SPOILER ALERT]

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A northeast Iowa barbecue master competes in the 2nd season of 'Barbecue Showdown', known as 'The American Barbecue Showdown' during its first season on Netflix. One of his competitors on the show, Logan Sandoval, calls him, The King of Iowa.

The Iowa competitor on 'Barbecue Showdown' is Thyron Mathews, affectionately known as Big T. He revealed on the show that he works as a jail warden in Fayette County and wants to retire to do barbecue as his full-time job.

Here's the trailer for the Netflix show. The full season was released on Friday, May 26.

*If you don't want to know what happens, stop reading now.

In the eight-episode season, Mathews competes against seven other barbecuers to be the champion pitmaster. He ends up making the finals, against the previously mentioned Logan Sandoval, who owns ZEF BBQ in Simi Valley, California.

In that last episode ("The Piggy Bank"), Mathews and Sandoval must cook a whole hog and prepare an entire meal to go with it. The two have seven hours to complete everything.

Mathews, who says he has been cooking hogs his whole life, was named the winner and claimed the prize of $50,000!

Thyron (Big T) Mathews and his Uncle Ced have more than 50 years of combined experience and run T&T BBQ and Catering in Oelwein. In addition to cooking up, obviously delicious meats, T&T also sells an array of sauces and rubs.

Thanks to his 'Barbecue Showdown' win, Big T is definitely closer to being able to retire from his day job and start serving barbecue full-time. Congratulations!

Jackie Kennon from our television partner KCRG-TV 9 talked to Mathews about his win. You can see the interview below.