Mike ,as many writers do- to get you to feel they are divulging all,will share names.
He was a fine cook and could beat most of his competition,at that time,using salt,pepper,and a squirt of cider vinegar.
If you talk to him,he'll stress to learn to cook,and that other five per cent of his technique will somehow follow along.
Other great comp cooks will put stuff on their product that would scare us to eat.
If you ask,their comment is "I ain't gonna eat it,it's just for the judges".
Just a thought.