Archive for the ‘Pork Barrel BBQ – Heroes’ Category

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Pork Barrel BBQ Competes with Barbecue’s Best at 32nd Annual American Royal

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

 

Last weekend, Pork Barrel BBQ’sCompetition BBQ Team headed to Kansas City, Missouri to cook against hundreds of the nations top barbecue pitmasters at the 32nd Annual American Royal Barbecue. Known throughout the world of barbecue as the World Series of Barbecue, the American Royal was first held in 1980 and has grown from humble beginnings into the largest barbecue conteston the planet. There are two contests held during the American Royal. The Invitational, held on Saturday, is an invite only contest made up of teams that have won at least one Grand Championship in the past year. The Open, held on Sunday, is open to anyone wishing to participate and usually attracts upwards of 500 teams.

This marked Pork Barrel BBQ’s second time competing in the American Royal Open and our first time competing in the American Royal Invitational. We earned our invitation to the 32ndannual American Royal Invitational contest by winning the Grand Championship at the 2011 Safeway National Capital Barbecue Battle in Washington, DC, the nation’s largest barbecue festival.

In Saturday’s American Royal Invitationalwe were ecstatic to finish 26th out of 142 of the best teams in the world of competition BBQ!

Pork Barrel BBQ Takes 10th Place in Brisket in the 32nd Annual American Royal Barbecue Invitational Contest

Our finishes in each of the categories were:

Chicken – 41st
Ribs- 60th
Pork- 70th
Brisket- 10th

In Sunday’s American Royal Open we continued our strong weekend by finishing 40th out of 483 teams! Finishing in the top 10% of such a large and accomplished number of teams was a thrill for us!

Pork Barrel BBQ Takes Sixth Place in Chicken at the 32nd Annual American Royal Barbecue Open Contest

Our finishes in each of the categories were:

Chicken- 6th
Ribs- 120th
Pork- 128th
Brisket- 159th

On top of this, Pork Barrel BBQ got it’s first perfect 180 score in the Dessert category in the American Royal Open Dessert contest thanks to the amazing mixed berry cheesecake cooked by Heath’s parent’s Rex & Barbara!!!

It was a huge thrill for us to cook in our home state of Missouri and in one of the BBQ hot spots of America! Beyond the success we had on the smoker, it was an amazing chance for us to hang out with some of our BBQ heroes, mentors andfriends as well as catch up with friends and family who live it Missouri (Thanks for all your help Joe andBob!!). It is always special when we get to hang out with great pitmasters and friends like Rod Gray of Pellet Envy, Pat Burke of Tower Rock, Mike Mills of 17th Street Bar & Grill, Dave Raymond (AKA Sweet Baby Ray) BBQ Sauce God and founder of Sweet Baby Ray’s, Neil Strawder of Bigmista’s BBQ, Danielle Dimovski of Diva Q, Tuffy Stone of Cool Smoke, Paul Huff of GoneHoggin.com, George Shore of Pitmaker and so many more!!!!

Heath& Brett withBBQ Legends Mike Mills, Dave Raymond (AKA - Sweet Baby Ray) and Pat Burke!

 

With BBQ Pitmasters Neil Strawder, Mike Mills, Tuffy Stone, Pat Burke and Culinary Students

In addition to the main competitions Heath cooked in the Kansas City Barbecue Society’s Grillmaster’s Series against Danielle Dimovski of Diva Q. The battle between the U.S. and Canada was held on the stage of the KCBS Great American BBQ Tour led by Mike and Chris Peters. Last year Pork Barrel came out on top against one of the legends of BBQ, Johnny Trigg. Heath made it back to back wins at the Royal by gaining the stomach’s of the judges in his Steak Battle against Diva Q!

Heath and Diva Q at the KCBS Grillmaster Steak Cookoff

Check out the Kansas City Star’s coverage of the American Royal and Pork Barrel BBQ!

It’s been a long season the BBQ circuit for Pork Barrel BBQ, but it’s not quite over yet. We’ll be loading up our trailer and heading to Lynchburg, Tennessee in a couple weeks to compete in the most prestigious of all the BBQ contests, The Jack Dainel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue!!!

Posted in KCBS, Pork Barrel BBQ - Competition BBQ Team, Pork Barrel BBQ - Events, Pork Barrel BBQ - Heroes, Pork Barrel BBQ - In The News, Pork Barrel BBQ - News, Uncategorized | No Comments »

CraftBar Berkshire Pork Chop, Fried Egg, House Bacon with Polenta and Greens from Top Chef Judge Tom Colicchio

Saturday, January 8th, 2011

Top Chef Judge Tom Colicchio CraftBar Berkshire Pork Chop with a fried egg on house cured bacon over polenta and greens. Amazing dish!

Top Chef Tom Colicchio CraftBar

CraftBar Berkshire Pork Chop, Fried Egg, House Bacon with Polenta and Greens from Top Chef Judge Tom Colicchio

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Pitmaster Paul Kirk’s New York Restaurant RUB BBQ’s Barbeque Sampler Plate – “The Baron”

Saturday, December 18th, 2010

We recently had the chance to stop by New York’s RUB BBQ (aka Righteous Urban BBQ) – famed Kansas City Pitmaster Paul Kirk’s New York City restaurant!  Paul Kirk smokes up his recipies for barbeque just right.  We could talk alot about his amazing barbeque recipes, but sometimes a photo says it best!  Here is a great photo of “The Baron” his BBQ Meat Plate. “The Baron includes pulled pork, smoked ham, brisket, turkey, pork ribs,  smoked pastrami and sausage.  Be sure to check out a collection of Paul Kirk’s barbeque recipes at http://www.rubbbq.net/

Barbeque Sampler Plate

Paul Kirk Rub BBQ Sampler Plate

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Posted in BBQ Around The World, BBQ Restaurants, Best BBQ Joints in America, Food & Drink We Like, Pork Barrel BBQ - Heroes, Recipes | 2 Comments »

USO Fort Riley – Operation Pork Barrel BBQ and Pellet Envy

Friday, October 8th, 2010

Top Barbecue Team, Award-winning Barbecue Sauce Company Cook Barbecue Dinner for Troops and Families at USO Fort Riley

Executives Present USO with Major Cash Donation and New Grill

Operation Pork Barrel BBQ and Pellet Envy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 7, 2010

Media Contact:  Jennifer Brand

(202) 731-2114

jbrand@brandsolutionsgroup.com


 

Fort Riley, Kansas (October 7, 2010) – America’s top competitive barbecue team, Pellet Envy, and Pork Barrel BBQ, a national award-winning barbecue sauce company, fired up their smokers and cooked a free dinner for 250 troops and their family members at USO Fort Riley on Thursday, Oct. 7.

The executives from both companies presented the USO with a large check representing $6,072.21 in donations gathered from around the country to support the USO’s effort to complete its outdoor picnic area and patio. They also included a new Horizon Classic smoker.

“Without the service of the brave men and women of the U.S. armed forces, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the freedoms we are blessed with as Americans. It is truly an honor to serve the defenders of America with the most American of meals – a barbecue dinner,” said Rod Gray, founder of Pellet Envy.

Pellet Envy, the reigning Kansas City Barbecue Society Team of the Year, is a nationally recognized competitive barbecue team based in Kansas City. Founded in 2001 by Rod and Sheri Gray, the Pellet Envy Team has competed in nearly 300 events across the country since its inception. Pellet Envy has won more than 65 championships and has been invited to compete in the prestigious Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue competition seven times since 2002.

“We wanted to give back to the troops and families stationed at Fort Riley and say ‘thank you’ for all that they have done to serve our country and defend freedom,” said Brett Thompson, CEO and co-founder of Pork Barrel BBQ. “We’re glad we can provide the troops with a brand new grill and a great patio to where they can enjoy cooking BBQ with fellow service members and their families.”

Pork Barrel BBQ, a Washington D.C. based barbecue sauce company, was founded by two former U.S. Senate staffers in 2008 during the peak of the economic crisis, proving that a company not owned or operated by the federal government could succeed, and that with a good idea, it was still possible to grab a piece of the American dream. Pork Barrel BBQ founders, Heath Hall and Thompson, ran the company out of the basement of their houses, selling their national award-winning barbecue sauces and rub one bottle at a time. In less than one year, their Pork Barrel BBQ sauces and rubs were carried in more than 1,000 stores in 38 states. Throughout their journey, they have stayed true to their mission – to unite the nation through the great tradition of barbecue, and bring bipartisan flavor to everyone’s next meal.

“We are very excited to have these award-winning barbecuers bring a taste of Kansas City’s legendary barbecue out to Fort Riley,” said USO director April Blackmon. “We are especially grateful to the Kansas City Barbeque Society, Creekstone Farms and Reeser’s Fine Foods for their generous food donations.”

Special thanks to Oklahoma Joe’s Barbecue, Horizon Smoker Company and the Kansas City BBQ Store for donating the new grill, and to Old Hickory Pits and Ashman Manufacturing for contributing to the success of this event.

About Pellet Envy

Pellet Envy, is a championship competition barbecue team based in Kansas City. Founded in 2001 by Rod and Sheri Gray, the Pellet Envy Team has competed in nearly 300 events across the country since its inception. Pellet Envy is the reigning Kansas City Barbecue Society Team of the Year, has won more than 65 Championships and has been invited to compete in the prestigious Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue competition seven times since 2002. In addition to participating in barbecue competitions, Pellet Envy hosts a Competition Cooking School for barbecue enthusiasts several times each year and is sponsored by Greased Lightning and EZ Grill. To learn more about Pellet Envy and its sponsors, visit www.pelletenvy.com or connect with Pellet Envy on Twitter @pelletenvy, Facebook, and the company’s blog, All Things Barbecue.

About Pork Barrel BBQ

Pork Barrel BBQ was founded in December 2008 during the peak of the economic crisis to prove that a company not owned or operated by the federal government could succeed, and that if you had a good idea, it was still possible to grab a piece of the American Dream. Pork Barrel BBQ founders, Heath Hall and Brett Thompson, ran the company out of the basement of their houses, selling their award winning BBQ one bottle at a time. In less than one year, their Pork Barrel BBQ Sauces and Spice Rub are now carried in over 1,000 stores in 40 states. Throughout their journey, they have stayed true to their mission – to unite the nation through the great tradition of BBQ, and bring bipartisan flavor to your next meal. The Pork Barrel BBQ Competition BBQ Team entered its first contest, The Safeway National Capital Barbecue Battle, in June 2009, and walked away with two trophies – Second Place  in the “Nations Best BBQ Sauce Contest” and Fourth Place for their pulled pork in the Memphis In May portion of the contest. Since then, the team has won multiple awards, including the “People’s Choice” award for best bbq sauce in 2010 and other notable Memphis and May and Kansas City Barbecue Society bbq competition accolades. For more information, visit www.PorkBarrelBBQ.com.

 

About the USO

The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at thousands of places worldwide. It provides a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. The USO also provides critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops and their families, wounded warriors and their families, and the families of the fallen.

 

The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. It relies on the generosity of volunteers and donors. In addition to individual donors and other corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners American Airlines, AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Gallery Furniture, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. The USO is also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join this patriotic mission and to learn more about the USO, please visit www.uso.org.

Posted in BBQ - In The News, Pork Barrel BBQ - Events, Pork Barrel BBQ - Heroes, Pork Barrel BBQ - In The Community, Pork Barrel BBQ - In The News, Pork Barrel BBQ - News, Pork Barrel BBQ - Press Releases | No Comments »

MIM Scrapbook # 7 – Pork Barrel BBQ talks BBQ with Mike Mills from 17th Street Bar & Grill and Apple City BBQ Competition Team

Sunday, September 5th, 2010

Mike Mills of 17th Street Bar & Grill and Apple City BBQ Competition Team talking BBQ? Doesn’t get much better than that! At Memphis in May, we were next to BBQ legend Pat Burke who introduced us to Mike Mills – his teammate from the Apple City BBQ Competition Team from Murphysboro, Illinois.  Heath talks about several great topics in this wideranging interview – so be sure to watch the whole video to get all your BBQ tips and secrets.  Special thanks to Mike from 17th Street Bar & Grill for taking time to talk with us!  Be sure to check out the amazing book written by Mike and his daughter Amy Mills Tunnicliffe - Peace Love and Barbecue!  ”Peace, Love, and Barbecue is an extraordinary behind-the-scenes journey into the world of barbecue with Grand World Champion pitmaster Mike Mills as your guide. Join Mike and his barbecue buddies as they spin a few tales, spill their secrets, and reluctantly part with their prizewinning recipes.  The book is available at most bookstores or on amazon.com”

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Posted in BBQ 101 - How To Cook Great BBQ, Memphis in May, Pork Barrel BBQ - Competition BBQ Team, Pork Barrel BBQ - Heroes | No Comments »

Rod Gray and his Pellet Envy Competition BBQ Team Wins Reserve Grand Champion at the Michigan State BBQ Championships

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Rod Gray of the Pellet Envy competition BBQ team won Grand Reserve Champion at the Michigan State BBQ Championships this past weekend in Brooklyn, MI.  We had the distinct opportunity to cook with Rod Gray and his Pellet Envy team at the Michigan State BBQ Championships and had an amazing time.  Rod Gray’s Pellet Envy  Team was the 2009 KCBS Team of the Year, and he and his wife Sheri Gray are the most winning couple in BBQ history with Pellet Envy.  Rod Gray is widely known in BBQ circles as the “Hardest Working Man in BBQ.”  Rod Gray is in a select group of world champion BBQ’ers like Johnny Trigg from Smokin’ Triggers BBQ, Tuffy Stone of Cool Smoke, and Pat Burke and Mike Mills of Apple City Barbecue.  Rod cooks on a Geer pit (known as a Jambo Pit), his is one of the first pits made by famed smoker builder Jamie Geer (check him out at www.JamboPits.com).  He is one of a rare breed of professional BBQ’ers who travel the country competing and helping to spread the word about barbecue.  Here are some photos from the Michigan Championship:

Pellet Envy Wins Reserve Grand

Pellet Envy with Michigan's Finest

BBQ Supporters waiting for Reserve Grand

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Memphis In May Scrapbook Entry #4 – Pork Barrel BBQ talks to BBQ Legend and World Champion Pat Burke of Tower Rock BBQ

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Some say legends are born – that an opportunity in time presents itself and the stars align and transfer one from a position of commonality into a legend.  As a kid I was sure my transformational moment would come in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded, a three ball two strike count with my team down no less than three runs in the pivotal game seven of the most important World Series in the history of baseball.  With one swift swing of the bat I’d go from a who is he to a legend – that’s how legends can be born.

Others say legends are made – that one can’t go unnoticed for too long if they keep repeating greatness.  These are the folks who go about their business not seeking the recognition they deserve, no, they go about their business simply doing what they know how to do at the highest possible level it can be done.  Sooner or later people start talking and the legend starts growing.  These are legends built over time and many accolades, accolades that are not achieved by the alignment of stars, but through hard work, dedication and skill – that’s how legends can be made.

The word legend is often thrown around without much consideration – after all, if we were all legends none of us could actually be one.  What cannot be argued is that barbecue has legends, both born and made.  Pork Barrel BBQ was fortunate enough to cross paths with several of them at this years Memphis in May.

It was a hot Wednesday afternoon, as sticky as a good sweet BBQ sauce, as we pulled into our site and struggled to keep cool.  At first glance, we failed to note just who our neighbor for the weekend was.  At the time there was just too much going on and we were trying to track our rented picket fence down (how would we survive our first Memphis in May without a rented  picket fence we were asking ourselves?).  The fence finally came, the Weber Smokey Mountains were all set up and the heat of the day began to subside, finally giving us a chance at repose and the time to take note of our surroundings.  It didn’t take long for us to realize that we had won the lottery, heck you might have thought we had already won Memphis in May – in many ways maybe we had.

Just inches from our three Weber Smokey Mountains stood the beautiful trailer of Tower Rock BBQ out of Murphysboro, IL.  Yes, the Tower Rock BBQ lead by Pat Burke of Apple City Barbecue Fame where he won three World Championships at Memphis in May with his partner Mike Mills.  Our first meeting came on Thursday morning and we knew from that moment on we were in for a special weekend. 

Pat and his crew showered us rookie’s with their generous hospitality – not only can he cook a mean pork shoulder, he can cook one heck of a bacon and egg sandwich!  It was a great honor for us to learn some of Pat’s tips and tricks – he is an encyclopedia of BBQ and truly a legend.

In one year of BBQ competitions Pat and his Apple City team won 14 of the 17 contests they entered – it is clear that his legendary status was made by repeating greatness.  Pat was kind enough to take some time to talk BBQ with Pork Barrel BBQ - here is that interview.

Stay tuned for more of our Memphis in May Scrapbook and an interview with Pat’s Apple City teammate Mike Mills, another legend of BBQ.

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Posted in BBQ 101 - How To Cook Great BBQ, Memphis in May, Pork Barrel BBQ - Competition BBQ Team, Pork Barrel BBQ - Heroes | 1 Comment »

Memphis In May Scrapbook Entry #2 – Jamie Geer Gives Pork Barrel BBQ a Tour of a Jambo Pit at the Memphis in May BBQ World Championship

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Dreaming of a Jambo Pit by Jamie Geer?  Me too.  Since the day I turned 16 and got my drivers license I’ve had visions of a 1958 Corvette dancing in my head. From the distinguishing four headlights and immense chrome in the front to the beauty of the Roman Red paint job that covers the exterior you’re sure to turn heads at every stop and then strain the very neck that head is attached to as you excelerate away. The 1958 Corvette wasn’t just a car, it was a work of art – a museum quality piece with its optional 290 horsepower fuel injected V8 engine that made everybody else with a car jealous at first blush.

Today, some 20 years later, I still have the vision of owning that 58 Vette, but it no longer dances alone in the wish list of my mind. It now shares that void with a vision of owning, what can only be called the equivalent of the Corvette on the competition BBQ circuit, a Jambo Pit.

Jambo Pits have been called by many on the competition BBQ circuit, “The best smokers money can buy.”  Pitmasters aren’t just saying that in passing as many of today’s top competitive BBQ teams are putting their money where their mouth is and using these pits hand crafted by Jamie Geer, owner of the Fort Worth, TX based company, all across America. Among the users of Jambo Pits are our friends Tuffy Stone of the Cool Smoke competition BBQ team (who’s pit Jamie is about to give you a tour of) and Mike Richter of Chix, Swine & Bovine competition BBQ team- both of these teams have been enjoy immense success on the competition BBQ circuit.

Jamie has been building quality smokers that offer consistent results since 1989.  One of the unique things about Jamie Geer is that he didn’t start out as a pit builder – he started out as a serious competitor on the competition BBQ circuit and has the trophies to prove it. (You might remember him from TLC’s BBQ Pitmastersshow.)  He knows what series BBQ’ers are looking for in a smoker and he delivers big time!

If you’d like a Jambo Pit you’ll have to get in line with the rest of us - Jamie is backordered through October and that list grows by the day. Why the demand?  These aren’t just functional BBQ pits, they are literally works of art that are handcrafted from top quality materials with an attention to detail that only Jamie can provide as he builds each pit one at a time. Some of the features you’ll find on these beauties include insulated fire boxes, torque flex axles, chrome wheels, white letter tires, custom coatings and paint, stainless steel hinges, and spacious work surfaces.  The downside is you’ll no longer be able to blame your smoker if your meats don’t turn out well.

On Jamie’s website he says, “Pull into a competition or your neighborhood with a Geer pit in tow and forget about going unnoticed. These pits will turn heads wherever you go.” We couldn’t agree more!  Pull into a BBQ contest with a Jambo Pit and you’re sure to turn and strain a few necks, just like that 1958 Corvette.

While we were at Memphis in May, Pork Barrel BBQ was lucky enough to get a few minutes of Jamie’s time (he was cooking with Tuffy Stone’s Cool Smoke team and about to make the walk with Tuffy to collect their Memphis in May World Championship BBQ trophy for their pork shoulder when we filmed this clip).  We asked Jamie to take us on a tour of Tuffy’s new Jambo Pit. Sit back and enjoy our interview with BBQ Pit builder extraordinaire and all around good guy Jamie Geer of Jambo Pits.

If you’re still using a Weber or some other smokers, but would like to ride or Que in the Corvette of smokers give Jamie a call at 817-223-3918 or email him at TXJGEER@aol.com and let him know that Pork Barrel BBQ sent you!  You won’t be sorry you called!

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Posted in BBQ 101 - How To Cook Great BBQ, Grills & Smokers, Memphis in May, Pork Barrel BBQ - Competition BBQ Team, Pork Barrel BBQ - Heroes, Weber | 1 Comment »

Memphis In May Scrapbook Entry #1 – BBQ Hints from TLC BBQ Pitmaster and Memphis in May BBQ World Champion Tuffy Stone of Cool Smoke & Q Barbeque

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

This is the first in a series of blog posts on our adventures at the 2010 Memphis in May World Barbecue Championships. Over the course of 4 days we racked up 4 top 15 finishes (we even managed to place 4th in the World Championship’s beef catagory with our brisket) and several hours of amazing videos from some of the most interesting and influential folks in BBQ. We thought we’d kick off our series with a bang – our first entry into our 2010 Memphis in May scrapbook is an interview with TLC BBQ Pitmaster and down right nice guy Tuffy Stone of Cool Smoke and Q Barbeque fame.

Over the course of the past year we’ve had the chance to get to know some of the great legends of BBQ, including guys like Pat Burke and Mike Mills – the founders of the Legends of BBQ Club. Tuffy, a friend and fellow Virginian, is a guy who has made a name for himself and risen to “Legend” status in short order. Tuffy is pitmaster of the Cool Smoke competition BBQ team and owner of Q Barbeque (two locations in Midlothian, VA and Hampton, VA). If the name Tuffy Stone is ringing a bell in your head but you just can’t quite place where you’ve heard it before it is probably because you saw him on TLC’s hit show BBQ Pitmasters.

For a guy with celebrity status and the ability to make anything placed on a smoker taste like a five star meal you might think he’d be working in the distance and shadows of his Jambo Pit built by legendary smoker builder and artisan Jamie Geer (Tuffy’s pit looks more like a cherry red Corvette than a smoker – it performs more like one too!), but he isn’t. Tuffy is as approachable as they come and loves to talk BBQ with fellow competitors, customers and fans.

The best part of the Competition BBQ circuit isn’t the great barbecue found around every corner, it is the chance to meet and become friends with some of the best folk around – like Tuffy. BBQ teams from around the country compete in contests sanctioned by a number of barbecue societies including KCBS, MIM, and MBN. These teams use everything from Weber Grills to Jambo Pits to homemade smokers to compete for prizes and tropies in catagories like chicken, beef brisket, pork shoulder, pork ribs, and whole hog.  If you love to grill find a contest near your home and sign up – you’ll have a blast and meet some great folks!

Now sit back and enjoy our interview with BBQ Pitmaster Tuffy Stone of Cool Smoke.

For more information on Pork Barrel BBQ and to follow our adventures at Memphis in May 2010 stay tuned to our blog and Twitter pages.

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Posted in BBQ 101 - How To Cook Great BBQ, Best BBQ Joints in America, Food & Drink We Like, Grills & Smokers, KCBS, Memphis in May, Pork Barrel BBQ - Competition BBQ Team, Pork Barrel BBQ - Heroes, Weber | 5 Comments »

Heath, how did you get into BBQ?

Monday, August 3rd, 2009
 

Since Brett and I started Pork Barrel BBQ I’ve been asked dozens of times by friends, family and customers how I got into BBQ and why I decided to turn my love for it into a business venture. Although there are a number of reasons that influenced my decision, none was as big of an influence as my dad, Rex Hall.

 
The picture above was the first BBQ contest I ever participated in (and I was lucky enough to be working with my dad) – it was held in Jefferson City, Missouri at the Jefferson City Public Library in the mid-1990′s. We’ve come a long way since then and when I say “we’ve” I mean my dad and I and our quest to always provide the best BBQ to our friends and family that we are capable of providing. Thanks again dad!

I’ve posted before on how important his love of the grill was and how much it has influenced me and helped get me to where I am today. Growing up my dad was like the postal delivery man of the grill – rain, sleet, snow, hail, sun, fog, hot, cold it didn’t matter, winter, spring, summer and fall he was outside grilling up chicken, ribs, brisket, pork shoulder, quail, corn, potatoes and just about anything else that can be grilled for our family meal.

So the most complete answer to how I got into BBQ and decided to turn my love for it into a business is because of my dad, a great teacher of many lessons to me. He taught me how to BBQ – from lighting a fire to seasoning meat. He, along with my mom, taught me that no star was out of my reach if I wanted to hold it in my hand – all I had to do was reach for it and work hard. They taught me the importance of doing whatever you are doing to the best of your ability – no one can ask more if you do your best. They also taught me about the importance of integrity, honesty and good communication – all traits we promise to bring to Pork Barrel BBQ on a daily basis.

Dad, thanks for sharing one of your passions with me because without your guidance and lessons there would be no Pork Barrel BBQ today.

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