(Posted 29th July 2026)
Culinary operator Annie Yayra Hiamey has secured first place at Denver’s Inaugural
International BBQ Cookoff, organized by Faithfull Food. Capitalizing on this landmark
victory, Hiamey announced the launch of premium, multi-tier AYCE fusion pop-ups and
finalized partnerships with premier global brands for her upcoming international spice
tour.
While most people dedicate their post-spine surgery years to quiet
recovery, international food judge and caterer Annie Yayra Hiamey chose to face the
fire. Refusing to let intense physical pain or severe mobility limitations hold her back,
Hiamey arrived at Denver’s Inaugural International BBQ Cookoff Party this past June
using a walker; and left as the city’s newest breakout BBQ superstar.
Her historic victory against all odds proves that true culinary mastery is fueled by
unyielding spirit. Outfitted with her walker and fueled by pure grit, Hiamey dominated the
pit by showcasing her signature fusion cuisine. Her masterful sweet, fruity, and savory
spicy blend captured the hearts of many at the competition. Weeks later, local food
lovers are still raving about those juicy, delectable shish kebabs. When asked what
makes her signature dish so special and different, Hiamey smiles and notes that she
wants her customers to feel a bite of Ghana in every single bite.
To achieve this, Hiamey intentionally layered a meticulous mix of premier retail
ingredients, explicitly crediting her championship win to the exceptional flavor
foundation built from McCormick spices, Badia Spices, Kinder’s seasonings, and
Traeger Texas Spicy BBQ sauce. Balanced precisely by just two fresh pomegranates,
these standout products helped her lay a complex, unmatched taste profile that simply
could not be found anywhere else. This definitive culinary experience ultimately secured
her the top prize against a field of exceptional local and international talent, cementing
her status as a superstar on the grill.
‘The fire was far too strong to ignore,’ said Hiamey. ‘True culinary mastery isn’t just
about the tools or the physical strength; it is fueled by passion, grit, and an unyielding
spirit.’
With this major victory secured, Hiamey is launching a fast-paced expansion across
local and international culinary and business scenes:
‘A World of Premium Flavors‘ All-You-Can-Eat Pop-Up Series: Hiamey is
partnering with Bierstadt Lagerhaus in Denver’s RiNo Art District to offer
exclusive 2-hour, unlimited dining sessions under her culinary brand, Chef Annie
Yayra of Yannie’s Village Fire. Ticket choices will feature a Premium AYCE
Pass alongside a VIP Imperial AYCE Experience. The specific session times are
structured as follows:
Sunday, August 30 and Saturday, September 5 in Denver and
Indianapolis Pop-Up & World Food Championships Judging Presence:
Hiamey will travel to the event to judge and host her pop-up on Saturday,
October 17. Capitalizing on this major gathering of global culinary talent, she will
host an independent, highly anticipated local pop-up event concurrently in the
city, introducing her signature live-fire fusion to food enthusiasts traveling to
Indianapolis for the weekend.
Global Spice Tour & Strategic Brand Alignments: Following her historic win,
premier spice and grill entities are aligning with Hiamey to explore high-profile
brand ambassadorships. These partnerships leverage her unique background
representing blue-chip companies in the business of sports, merging corporate
strategy with culinary excellence. The upcoming global spice tour project aims to
promote Ghana’s rich food tourism across stops in Ghana, Jamaica, the United
States, Senegal, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Togo.
Global Expansion & African Training Initiatives: Momentum from her win has
sparked international interest. Discussions are underway regarding future training
and culinary event expansions into Africa, including prospective alignments with
Steak Cookoff Association (SCA) Co-Founder Brett Gallaway.
Hiamey’s triumphant story is a testament to resilience, turning a grueling medical
recovery into a platform for global culinary and commercial impact.
About Annie Yayra Hiamey
Annie Yayra Hiamey is an international food judge, professional caterer, and newly
crowned BBQ superstar. In addition to her culinary achievements, Hiamey is a
seasoned executive in the sports industry, where she represents blue-chip companies in
the business of sports, bringing a high-level corporate perspective to her brand
alignments. Operating her food ventures under the banner Yannie’s Village Fire, she
blends traditional African ingredients with Jamaican and Cajun profiles to elevate
Ghanaian food tourism worldwide. Her signature display presentations are supported by
her luxury dinnerware sponsor, Oyelakin Dinners.
