Award-winning pitmaster and restaurateur Charlie McKenna, a two-time World Barbecue Champion and founder of Lillie’s Q, will headline the 3rd Annual BBQ Pachanga at the Gage Hotel on November 15, 2025.
McKenna, known nationally for his refined take on Southern barbecue, joins a lineup curated by Gage Resort & Spa and Mill Scale Metal Works for what has become one of the most anticipated culinary gatherings in Far West Texas. The event blends the area’s rustic charm with top-tier barbecue talent, drawing food lovers from across the state to Marathon’s starlit desert setting.
A native of Greenville, South Carolina, McKenna grew up learning the art of true Southern BBQ from his grandmother, Lillie, who inspired the name of his Chicago-based restaurant. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, McKenna worked under acclaimed chef Norman Van Aken and became a sous chef at some of Chicago’s top fine-dining landmarks, including Tru and Avenues at The Peninsula Hotel.
McKenna opened Lillie’s Q in Chicago in 2010, combining regional barbecue traditions with modern culinary technique. His restaurant has earned widespread acclaim, including recognition from Food & Wine magazine as one of the “Best New BBQ Restaurants in the Country.”
The BBQ Pachanga will feature a collaborative lineup of acclaimed chefs, craft pitmasters, and live entertainment beneath the Marathon night sky.
For event information and tickets, visit Gage Resort & Spa’s website or follow @gagehotel and @mill.scale on social media.
