People You Should Know: Sergeant Bryan Johnson
In 2023, Sergeant Bryan Johnson of the Orange Beach Police Department, decided to take his passion for outdoor, open flame grilling to the next level, competing in the World Food Championships Tailgate Challenge. To take on the World Food Championship qualifier, Johnson needed a team. He approached Orange Beach Police Chief Steve Brown to borrow the department’s disaster relief cooking trailer, then recruited fellow officers. Sergeants Joey Brown and Carl Bradley joined as the PR guys, while SST Major Nall assisted with cooking and prep. In 2024, Coastal Resources employee Brad Johnson also joined the team.
Now known as The Grill Sergeants, the team quickly became a fan favorite, winning People’s Choice at the World Food Championships Tailgate Challenge three years in a row. Their secret? “Great food and having fun talking to visitors,” says Johnson. Bryan’s signature dish? Pulled pork!
