Hayward has competed in BBQ competitions since 1994 and has numerous cooking awards. His first-place win in the chicken category at Tropicana’s National Finals BBQ Cook-off & Party in 1996 put California BBQ on the map. As a member of the National BBQ Association he became a national ambassador for the CBBQA and brought national awareness to the CBBQA and its contributions to BBQ. Hayward has judged over 150 BBQ contests, cooked over 100 BBQ competitions and remains active competing and judging BBQ all over the country, as well as marketing his line of national award winning Barbeque Sauces.
The inaugural class of the California BBQ Association Hall of Fame includes Dan Cannon and Gene Goycochea. Both made their mark successfully competing in BBQ and serve as an example to others of spirit and comradery.