O.G. Bandits Begins Annual Showcase as Airport Marks Successful First Year of New Terminal
Kansas City, Mo.; March 1, 2024: O.G. Bandits, the winner of the second-annual Made for Kansas City BBQ Championship, celebrated the start of a one-year showcase in the Made of KC BBQ Experience restaurant at Kansas City International Airport with an official passing of the barbecue trophy from inaugural competition winners, Smoke ‘n Magic. This milestone comes as Kansas City International Airport celebrates its successful first year of operations at the New Terminal.
As part of Vantage Airport Group’s shopping and dining concessions program, Outstanding Hospitality Management Group (OHM) partnered with the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) and Old-World Spices & Seasonings (OWS) to present the second annual barbeque contest in June 2023.
O.G. Bandits, of Oak Grove, Mo., were crowned Grand Champions, winning a $25,000 prize and a licensing opportunity for one year in the 8,000 square foot competition-barbeque-themed restaurant located in the airport’s Concourse B. The menu will now feature O.G. Bandits’ award-winning recipes as part of the overall concessions program that celebrates local restaurateurs and showcases Kansas City businesses. Last year’s inaugural winner, Smoke ‘n Magic, opened its concept with the grand opening of the New Terminal at Kansas City International Airport in February 2023.
O.G. Bandits features Ashton Smith and fiancé Josh Farley, their sons, Andrew, Jaxson, and Jameson, and the newest Bandit, daughter Adelyn who was born in 2023. The family has cooked in barbecue competitions for several years, including touring and competing in 13 states in their barbecue trailer in 2020, and hitting 28 competitions in 2021 while expecting son Jameson. While expecting their daughter, O.G. Bandits decided to scale back, but still had their eyes on the 2023 Made for KC Barbecue Championship, even though Ashton would be eight months pregnant.
“Never in a million years did we think we would win,” said Ashton. “We did what we do and just cooked and prayed to the barbecue gods for good results. We were so surprised and overjoyed when we won!”
Watching Smoke ‘n Magic, the previous Made for KC Barbecue Champion, on their journey the year before, O.G. Bandits knew they were in for the ride of a lifetime. “We cannot wait to showcase our rubs and sauces at the new Kansas City International Airport terminal. It is a literal dream come true and an amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The fact that our children have been a part of this journey with us makes it all that much better. We truly all have a place in our team’s success!”
“We are delighted to pass trophy to O.G. Bandits after a successful year of bringing our award-winning barbecue to the Kansas City Airport’s new terminal. To be part of the inaugural year of the new terminal was a tremendous honor and we have enjoyed introducing visitors to our lineup of delicious recipes, sauces, and seasonings.” said Bre Via, Owner, Smoke n’ Magic.
“OHM is thrilled to welcome the O.G. Bandits family and their recipes to the new terminal at MCI. Kansas City has the best barbecue in the world, and being able to showcase this championship competition team at the airport gives local travelers a chance to enjoy award-winning barbecue and offers visitors from around the world a taste of Kansas City,” said Milan Patel, President, OHM.
“The Made for KC BBQ Experience restaurant and immersive experience at the new terminal at Kansas City International Airport is a truly unique offering and a cornerstone of our locally focused eating and shopping program, where 80% of the offerings are local brands, delivered by local partners.” said Lovell Holloway, General Manager, Vantage Airport Group. “As we mark the new terminal’s first birthday with our partners at Kansas City Aviation Department, we extend a big thank you and congratulations to both the O.G. Bandits and Smoke ‘n Magic for bringing the best of KC barbecue into the terminal for all passengers to enjoy – creating a sense of place that is unmistakably made by and for Kansas City.”
“I am delighted to celebrate the first birthday of Kansas City International Airport’s wonderful new terminal alongside the many local people and businesses that are creating a great experience for every visitor,” said Melissa Cooper, Director of Aviation, City of Kansas City. “As we have continued passenger travel growth, more and more visitors will get the opportunity to delight in the best of KC’s flavors and traditions, like those celebrated at the Made For KC BBQ Experience restaurant.”
OHM will host the third annual BBQ championship in June 2024 to continue bringing local tastes to visitors, Kansas Citians, and airport employees.
The Made for Kansas City BBQ Championship is supported by local barbeque non-profit organizations and their deep knowledge of the history of barbeque and competitions. For more information on the 2024 competition for the Made For KC BBQ Championship, visit madeforkcbbqchampionship.com.
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About Vantage Airport Group
Passionate about People, Place, and Performance, Vantage Airport Group is a leading investor, developer, and manager of airports and transportation infrastructure around the world. Since 1994, Vantage has made more than 30 airports more efficient, profitable, sustainable, and connected to the communities they serve. Notable projects include the award-winning new $5.1B LaGuardia Terminal B in New York, named World’s Best New Airport Terminal by Skytrax in 2023 and the $4.2B development of a new international Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International, now underway. Elsewhere, Vantage leads major concessions redevelopment projects at Chicago Midway International Airport and Kansas City International Airport’s new terminal. Together, Vantage airports served 53 million passengers in 2022, traveling on 160 different airlines to 265 global destinations. Vantage is a wholly owned strategic platform of Investcorp Corsair Infrastructure Partners for capital deployment in the airport sector. For more information on Vantage’s industry-leading approach, network airports and career opportunities, visit vantageairportgroup.com.
About the New Terminal at Kansas City International Airport
At just over 1 million square feet, the Kansas City International Airport New Terminal project is the largest single infrastructure project in the City’s history. Opened in February 2023, the facility replaced the aging three-terminal complex with a single, modern terminal and 6,000-plus space garage that has improved the traveling experience for residents and visitors.