Meet Your Rib Camp Instructors
Smoke Freaks® founders Brian & Ann Neale are two of the Midwest's most accomplished competition rib cooks, with wins in 15% of their appearances and top-10 finishes in 63% of the contests they've entered over the past decade.
Most recently, Brian was named World Champion at the 2025 SCA World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, with Ann also earning finalist honors.
Since 2015, Brian and Ann have taught live-fire cooking classes in the USA and Europe, sharing their proven live-fire techniques for everything from steak to whole hog.
What Makes Rib Camp Unique?
Small, Intimate Class
With only 6 students and 2 instructors, this experience is designed for and around you.
Hands-On, Start to Finish
You will trim, prep and cook your own winning rack of ribs, from start to finish.
Yes, You'll Eat Very Well
Compare your rib masterpiece with your fellow students' creations and Smoke Freaks competition recipes.
"Best ribs I ever had!"
The Rib Camp Experience
1. Champion Breakfast
Come hungry and enjoy a Smoke Freaks competition-day breakfast as we kick off a day of cooking.
4. Flavor Development
Build and test your own signature flavor profile. Learn how seasoning, balance and timing work together.
2. Rib Selection
Learn exactly what to look for when choosing ribs at the store – and how small differences can matter.
5. The Cook
Achieve perfect tenderness in just 2.5 hours while learning fire and temperature management.
3. Trimming
Sculpt your own perfect rack with competition techniques, a sharp knife and other helpful tools.
6. You Be the Judge
Sample and judge all the flavor profiles. Best ribs win a Rib Camp Champion trophy & prize!
Rib Camp 2026 is SOLD OUT!
Cedar Lake, IN
8am - 2pm Central time
$265 per seat
Spring Schedule
April – Sold out
May – Sold out
Summer Schedule
June – Sold out
July - Sold out
Fall Schedule
September - Sold out
October - Sold out
Give a 2027 Rib Camp Gift Certificate
Good for any open 2027 Rib Camp
Early bird pricing: $265 per seat
How it works:
1. You buy it
2. You gift it
3. They pick their date and book it
Note: Spring 2027 class dates to be announced by 11/15/26
Looking for something else?
Drop your details here