My name is Big Moe Cason and I was born, raised, and corn fed out of Des Moines, Iowa. Being raised by a single mom, I didn’t always have an easy life but my optimism has always pulled me through. Growing up I had always known I wanted a better life for myself so I joined the NAVY in 1989. I served on the USS Missouri during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After that ship decommissioned, I served the remaining time on the USS Peleliu. The NAVY was the best decision for me because it taught me the life lessons I needed growing up. It made me into a Man. After my stint in the NAVY ended in the fall of 1993, I met my soul mate, Angelena. Together, we have 4 awesome daughters and a cat – I am the only dude in the house. Even the dang cat is a female. I love my family dearly but to ease my brain from the estrogen overload, I needed a hobby. I started out collecting old muscle cars then it migrated to 1/8 mile drag racing. I even did some diesel truck pulling at county fairs. (Stop laughing, it’s true) But then in 2006, the BBQ bug got me.
I entered my first BBQ contest in June 2006 and have been addicted ever since. (My wife says obsessed. Ok, maybe.) I decided to name my team Ponderosa BBQ because the old folks call the neighborhood we live in “The Ponderosa.” I have been a member and competing on the KCBS BBQ circuit since then and have completed 130 KCBS contests to date. I am grateful for my Water Treatment job of 18 years because having weekends off allows me to compete in 20+ contests a year. (As well as my understanding wife J) So far, I have earned 6 Reserve Grand Championships and 1 Grand Championship. I have multiple 1st place trophies in all KCBS categories. One of the best times of my BBQ career was winning episode 1 of TLC’s BBQ Pitmasters Season 2. Although I didn’t win the 100K in the final, it was an experience that is very dear to me. In 2011, I finished 8th in the nation for the KCBS Team of the Year Pork category. The same year, I also scored 2 perfect “180″ scores in ribs and pork shoulder. These 180 pins are hard to come by given the talent out there competing.
I am a dedicated, self taught Pitmaster who loves his craft and enjoys the competition scene. I make my own competition rubs and sauces. I am passionate about my Q because what initially was a hobby, very quickly turned into a way of life. I live it. I breathe it. I AM BBQ.