Jimbo LaPan cleans up at IRES BBQ Cook-off!
- Aerodyne Industries
- Aug 25
- 2 min read
“Love is in the air. No wait, that’s BBQ. Never mind.” – Anonymous
James “Jimbo” LaPan, an Engineering Documentation Specialist Senior for IRES, is known for his award-winning efforts as a data/documentation subject matter expert, but he has also gained a well-deserved reputation as a connoisseur of the fine art of the southern cuisine known as barbecue.
Jimbo’s legend was enhanced when he was named the MDA Integration and Operation Center (MDIOC) BBQ Cook Off Grand Champion in the event held in Colorado Springs, CO on June 16, 2025.
His winning entry included a smorgasbord of BBQ delicacies: “Smoked a fire-roasted mango and fire-roasted habanero (no-heat, de-veined and de-seeded); fire-roasted garlic cloves, apple, carrot, blue happy eggs, Ritz, bacon-wrapped beef meatloaf (no sugar, no honey, no sweeteners added; applewood smoked); paired with a garlic-mango and habanero (just a little, barely heat) sauce on a Hawaiian Sweet Roll Slider; with a slice of smoked cauliflower as a garnish/palate refresher treat.”
The winning combination was even more impressive since Jimbo was unaware of his competitors’ entries.
“I didn’t even know what types of food I was up against, so I was shocked and happy,” he said.
“I knew what I had was a killer hit within CLAW [C2BMC Labs and Warfighters] as they all sample my stuff, so I said why not with stay with the same old school favorite they loved.”
Winning recipes are nothing new for Jim, who began competing in cook offs for 20+ years ago in his Army days and during deployments.
He was named Chili Cook off Champ for CLAW seven out of eight competitions. “I lost to a green chili soup that year.”
Jimbo decided to open his own barbecue business in 2022, but his original trailer was stolen.
“It really hurt, but I set forth to do this and my new trailer was custom made from a 32-foot cargo hauler with a 250-gallon wood/coal reverse flow “Old-Skool” smoker built in the back, with a full custom pro kitchen inside.”
He has tasted the sweet smell of success – and barbecue – ever since, thanks to his special, secret sauce.
“Love, music, positive energy, awesome ingredients and a 32-foot trailer of passion.”
