Thom Emery is an avid member of the barbeque community, both as a contest organizer in the West and a competitor. In 2009 Thom organized the Stagecoach Music Festival BBQ Championships, the largest cook off in California to date, in which 59 teams participated. Thom is also a speaker and host at organizer roundtables where new and experienced contest organizers gather to refine their skills.

Thom was the President of the California Barbeque Association in 2007 and remains active in the association today. He was the founding moderator of the CBBQA Forum. Some of Thom’s notable contributions to the CBBQA are: his role as point person on the creation of the CBBQA Hall of Fame, recognizing long time members who compete, educate and serve

Thom was added to the Hall of Fame in 2015.

California BBQ and his leadership of the CBBQA committee that reorganized the CBBQA Team of the Year contest from an end-of-the-year-reveal format into an open, year-long race.

Thom has competed in contests across the country for his own team as well as an advisor to others. Thom was the winner of the California State Rib Championship in Anaheim in 2008, the Grand Champion of the Palm Desert BBQ Cook Off in 2008 and the winner of the Arizona State Beef Brisket Championship in Prescott in 2009. Thom also mentors and sponsors his son Kyle Emery whose team has won numerous championships.

In 2010 Thom enjoyed hosting the 3 Eyz team on the series Pitmaster Season Two on TLC TV