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Troy’s Ricky Albright joined forces with 12-year-old Opelika native Bryson McGlynn to help lead Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA) as a cook team to win first place in the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Wild Game Cook-off.

Albright owns Iron Fire Cooking in Troy, while McGlynn won season nine of MasterChef Junior. The team, known as Loosen Your Black Belt Bunch, won by preparing a venison wellington dish that McGlynn designed. Albright, ALBBAA Director Pam Swanner and members of the ALBBAA’s Advisory Council assisted McGlynn during the competition on Saturday, Aug. 10, in Millbrook.

“To be able to team up with the Alabama Black Belt Adventures team was so much fun,” McGlynn said. “It was an honor to use one of my recipes, but it was truly a group effort and our team worked so well together. Thank you for putting some trust in this recipe. We, as a team, made it a grand slam.”

The team won both the overall state championship and Best Presentation.

“I am grateful to God, my family, friends and this amazing team of people who worked hard and tirelessly in the heat to accomplish this amazing win,” Albright said. “It was truly an honor to be a part of the Loosen Your Black Belt team. The significance of this award deeply touches me and takes me back to the days I treasure hunting and cooking with my dad. He is my number one motivator to keep going when it gets tough. I am immensely grateful for this recognition.”