Warren Rockmacher has been a pivotal figure in the Kosher BBQ community since his debut competition in 2013.
Lee Vogel’s journey into the world of BBQ began with a simple childhood ambition: mowing lawns to buy steaks to grill with friends.
Nicole Mosca made her debut in the Kosher BBQ community this past February during the 1st Annual Great American Kosher BBQ and Festival.
Warren Rockmacher has been a pivotal figure in the Kosher BBQ community since his debut competition in 2013. His journey in Kosher BBQ took a significant turn in 2014 when he was tasked with organizing a Kosher BBQ competition and festival in Fairfield, CT. The inaugural event was a tremendous success, drawing over 5,000 attendees in 2014 and 7,000 in 2015. Recognized for his contributions, Fleishigs magazine dubbed him “The Godfather of Kosher BBQ.”
After relocating to Florida in 2016, Warren continued to compete in Kosher BBQ competitions across the country, including Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas, and Boca Raton, earning numerous awards for his exceptional BBQ skills. In 2017, he became one of the few Certified Kosher BBQ Judges with the Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS), a role in which he has judged competitions in Philadelphia and Florida.
In 2023, Warren, alongside his friend Lee Vogel, decided to bring a Kosher BBQ competition to South Florida. Their vision came to life in February 2024, with over 2,000 people attending the first-ever Kosher BBQ competition and festival in the region. Warren is dedicated to making this annual event the largest Jewish festival and Kosher BBQ competition in the USA.
Lee Vogel’s journey into the world of BBQ began with a simple childhood ambition: mowing lawns to buy steaks to grill with friends. Growing up in West Palm Beach in the early 1970s, Lee was surrounded by the rich culinary traditions of the South, which laid the foundation for his passion for grilling and smoking meats.
Family day trips to Clewiston, a quaint town in the heart of Florida, were a highlight of Lee’s youth. It was here that he first encountered the local motto, “put a little South in your mouth,” and experienced some of the best BBQ the region had to offer. These trips not only deepened his love for Southern cuisine but also inspired him to perfect his own BBQ skills.
Business opportunities later took Lee to Austin, Texas, where he spent the better part of three years immersing himself in the local BBQ traditions. During this time, he sampled an array of Texas BBQ and learned from some of the best pitmasters in the region. This experience broadened his culinary repertoire and infused his BBQ style with the bold, smoky flavors characteristic of Texas BBQ.
Lee’s dedication to the craft of BBQ is evident in every dish he creates. From tender, smoky brisket to perfectly grilled steaks, his expertise and attention to detail have earned him a reputation as a master griller and smoker. His culinary creations are a testament to his roots in West Palm Beach, the Southern BBQ traditions he cherishes, and the rich influences from his time in Texas.
With decades of experience and a lifelong passion for BBQ, Lee Vogel continues to delight and inspire with his mouth-watering BBQ, embodying the true spirit of Southern and Texan hospitality and flavor.
Nicole Mosca made her debut in the Kosher BBQ community this past February during the 1st Annual Great American Kosher BBQ and Festival. Nicole is a Speech Language Pathologist for the School District of Palm Beach County where she services students with special needs and in the general education setting in an elementary school. Her giving nature brought her to the competiton when she offered her assistance to Warren Rockmacher, The Godfather of Kosher BBQ. She became a liason for the competitors and judges, making sure the competition ran as smoothly as possible.
Originally from NY, Nicole had no idea there was such a large Kosher BBQ World and was immediately captivated by the fun, good-hearted community. From that moment on, Nicole has gained a tremendous amount of knowlege from her growing partnerships and friendships with Warren and Lee Vogel. She is beyond grateful to be a Co-Chairwoman for the Great American Kosher BBQ where she hopes to continue the joy and traditions of the community.
