Paul Holden

Paul Holden has spent more than three decades in championship barbecue, beginning in 1990 as a pit crew member under Hall of Fame pitmaster John Willingham. He competed alongside Willingham at Memphis in May for 23 years before acquiring Whamco, Inc. and the full Willingham's World Champion BBQ brand following John's passing in 2013. Paul is now owner and pitmaster of both Willingham's World Champion BBQ and Big Shanty Smokehouse by Willingham's in Kennesaw, Georgia — named to the Barbecue News Magazine Best of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in America list back-to-back in 2025 and 2026. A multi-category competitor at Memphis in May, Paul has recorded perfect scores in brisket, turkey, and chicken on the competition circuit. NBBQA Award of Excellence recipient.