We are excited to announce the return of a formidable team to the Texas Kosher BBQ Championship: Smokin’ J’s BBQ. This year, the team returns with renewed enthusiasm and a new and very exciting partnership with the H-E-B Shalom Jewish Partner Group!
Meet the Team
Team Manager: Jeremy Jalnos
Jeremy is a returning participant in the Texas Kosher BBQ Championship. His love for BBQ inspired the creation of the original Smokin’ J’s BBQ team, which he founded along with Stevie and Samuel. Known for their mouthwatering smoked pastrami, beef dino ribs, Texas-style brisket, and more, the trio has made a name for themselves in the competition. While Jeremy has previously served as the pitmaster, this year he’s handing over the reins to Stevie and Roland to focus on volunteering with the Kosher BBQ’s ground and technical operations. Jeremy is also a proud member of the H-E-B Shalom Jewish Partner Group, bringing his passion for community and BBQ together in this exciting event.
Head Pitmaster: Roland Sepulveda
Roland is an established butcher at the new Pullman Market in the Pearl Shopping Center. This year marks his first time joining the team as pitmaster and attending the Texas Kosher BBQ event. With his exceptional ability to select the finest cuts of meat and his top-notch BBQ skills, Roland brings a level of craftsmanship that sets the team up for success.
Assistant Pitmaster: Stevie Jalnos
Stevie is one of the founders of Smokin’ J’s BBQ and a dedicated assistant pitmaster, playing a key role in ensuring every piece of meat is cooked to perfection. Having participated in almost every Texas Kosher BBQ competition, Stevie brings a wealth of experience to the team. In his spare time, he enjoys BBQing with fellow founders Jeremy and Sam, continuing to hone his skills and passion for great BBQ.
Returning Contender: Samuel Forman
Samuel is a seasoned competitor in the Texas Kosher BBQ Championship and one of the founders of Smokin’ J’s BBQ. He brings valuable experience and determination to the team. Fun fact: In his free time, Samuel enjoys making dill pickles!
New Contender: Nathan Dorman
We’re excited to welcome Nathan Dorman to the Smokin’ J’s BBQ team for the first time! Nathan is a talented programmer at H-E-B who brings a passion for BBQ, particularly smoking pastrami in his spare time. When he’s not perfecting his BBQ skills, Nathan enjoys biking and participating in mission trips with his church. We’re thrilled to have him on board and can’t wait to see his contributions to the team!
Best Beans Winner: Rosanne Seeman
Rosanne is the reigning queen of beans, having won the Best Beans award multiple times at kosher BBQ events! Her culinary magic and creative recipes always add a flavorful twist to the team’s offerings, making sure we stand out from the competition.
New Contender: Max Berkowitz
Max is a passionate food lover from Dallas, new to Smokin’ J’s BBQ, and a proud participant of the H-E-B Shalom Jewish Partner Group. His enthusiasm for great BBQ makes him a valuable addition to the team.
New Contender: Sylvan Gurinsky
Sylvan has volunteered at past BBQs, but this will be his first time competing. We are thrilled to have him on our team and look forward to his contributions.
New Contender: Josh Temple
Josh is a California transplant who made the move to Texas in 2018. As part of Team H-E-B, he’s jumping into his first year at the Texas Kosher BBQ event, ready to bring some flavor to the competition. While tacos will always be his first love, Texas BBQ has won him over in a big way. His passion for bold flavors and great BBQ adds a fun and unique twist to the team!
Our Mission
Smokin J’s is not just about great BBQ; we are in it to win it! With a massive BBQ trailer and a team of skilled and passionate individuals, we are ready to take on the competition and aim for the top spot.
Join Us!
Come and support Smokin J’s at the Texas Kosher BBQ Championship. We are thrilled to be part of this amazing event and can’t wait to showcase our BBQ skills. Join us for a day of delicious food, fun, and community spirit.
Stay tuned for more updates and don’t forget to check out our team’s progress on the Texas Kosher BBQ Championship website.
