Our Story

Our History

My Uncle Joe Zsadanyi is the one who developed the original red sauce recipe. It was after World War II, in the 1940's. He was in the Army during the war as a sharp shooter and a trainer. As so many in that war he was a first generation American. After the war he returned to his hometown of Hialeah where he developed the recipe. He did not share it with anyone except his sister, Frieda Gaylord, my mother. We do not share the recipe with anyone other than family. I remember as a little girl, eating ribs cooked with the sauce. They were wonderful! Sometimes at home with my Dad doing the barbecue or at Uncle Joes's when he did the cooking. They were party animals!" Ann Carol Nelson

Ann Nelson
This website and Tillman's Red BBQ sauce are all in memory of my beautiful Grandmother Ann Carol Nelson 12/5/1937 to 4/16/2014

HOW WE STARTED

In 2008 I got tired of replacing burners in my gas grill. I went out and bought myself the weber silver charcoal grill for $100 at Home Depot. Since then I've learned fire control and that began my passion for slow smoked BBQ. In 2013 I entered my first BBQ competition. I won first place in pork shoulder and best overall backyard cook team. I've been hooked on competition BBQ ever since.

After winning my first back yard (unsanctioned) BBQ competition I decided to try entering into the Pro BBQ competition circuit. I became an active member of the Florida BBQ Association as well as Kansas City BBQ Society. I entered the Pro contest at the Isle casino Pompano Beach in 2013 and one 1st place in beef brisket. Went back to the Isle again in 2014 and took 2nd place in beef brisket.

In March of 2014 I had to go back to my starting place. I competed again at the Deerfield Beach Pigout and won grand champion. This is however still an unsanctioned event so I am still excited and anxious to achieve a grand champion win at a Pro event.