The Barbeque Life

Kurt talks with Waylon Weatherford about his humble start into BBQ after watching BBQ Pitmasters and joining backyard with a friend, how he cooks a brisket and finding your own way, the importance of social media in terms of getting sponsorship, how to grow the sport of BBQ, what drew him to drum cookers and how he manages four fires, four meats, and four timelines, how and where he sleeps at comp...

Kurt talks with Ryan King, Pitmaster of Kings BBQ out of St. Augustine, FL about how he got into BBQ, why he had to take a step back, the success he’s had and how he’s had to temper his expectations about winning so much, why he got into BBQ rubs and sauces, getting better at branding, valuable advice for BBQ competitors, a new BBQ class that’s coming up, how to create a brighter and bigger BBQ co...

Kurt talks with Scott Parr, Head Pitmaster of Cool Hand Que out of Dacula, GA, and President of the Georgia BBQ Championship (GBC), about the Georgia BBQ Championship and how it helps local competitors compete in a points race without having to travel all around the country or world, how he got started in BBQ with his wife and Co-Pitmaster, Deneen, an optimistic outlook on the future of competitio...

Kurt talks with Stephen Franklin, Pit Master and Founder of Das BBQ based out of Atlanta, GA about how he got started in BBQ, watching his dad go from being a pretty bad BBQr to hiring Myron Mixon and learning from him on how to cook a whole hog, the story behind the name “Das” and how it ties into Stephen’s sobriety journey and the history of Georgia and Texas BBQ, how he separates himself from t...

Kurt talks with Roland Neal (Owner) and Joshua DeBose (Manager) of Mrs. Griffin’s BBQ Sauce out of Macon, GA about how they celebrated National BBQ Day in Georgia (March 25th) and traveled to the Governor’s mansion, how they came up with the name Mrs. Griffin’s, the history of the BBQ sauce, being one of the oldest in the country, the process of making the sauce, how they got started in BBQ, worki...

Kurt talks with Steven Parris of Brother In Law BBQ Team out of Fletcher, NC, about how he got started in BBQ in 2014, learning the ropes the hard way, finding the balance between BBQ, family, and life, competing less than 20 times a year against other teams who compete 35+, being inspired by the TV show, Pitmasters, the mindset behind moving from backyard to pro in 2016, why they don’t do much ca...

Kurt talks with Paul Bob, Pit Master of SmokinGhost BBQ out of Chillicothe, IL about how he started cooking BBQ through his kid’s concession stand at school, how he came up with the name “Smoking Ghost BBQ,” the lessons he’s learned through competing, how he developed his line of rubs and sauces, unique ideas about growing the sport of BBQ, some wise words of wisdom for anyone thinking of getting...

Kurt talks with return guest Bobby Gay ( first episode with Bobby ) out of Gainesville, FL about his new butcher shop, Sweet Meat Butcher Shop, opening soon in High Springs, FL which will provide different types of meats, BBQ supplies, catering, BBQ classes, and more! Bobby shares his journey from idea to opening up the butcher shop with his wife after he had a very serious injury at work in 2021,...

Kurt talks with Brand Champoux, Pit Master and Team Captain of Second Hand Smoke Iowa out of Oskaloosa, Iowa about how he got started in BBQ with all second-hand tools, how he had to drop out of his friend’s wedding for an awesome opportunity in BBQ, his favorite meat to cook, what to do and what not to do when asking for a BBQ sponsorship, how to level the playing field in competition BBQ, an at...

Kurt talks with William Plotz and Gerhard Van Niekerk, two of the five members of For the Love of Q BBQ Team out of Australia and South Africa, about how they both got started in BBQ, what makes South African and Australian BBQ stand out from the rest, their favorite meats to cook including "snags on the barbie," the strong BBQ family in Australia, competing in Meat Stock in May 2023, some tips fo...

Kurt talks with Ryan Lane, CEO and Founder of Lane's BBQ out of Bethlehem, GA, about getting started cooking BBQ by serving potential clients while working at his brother's insurance company then eventually leaving and selling catering outside of a local produce shop. They also talk about the massive importance to social media while building the Lane's BBQ business, why he moved into rubs and spic...

Kurt talks with Blake Kitchens and Zach Simpkins, Co-Owners of Hound Hog BBQ Supply about how they both got started in BBQ. Blake grew up with a family who grilled but got started on his own on a Masterbuilt grill he was gifted and Zach got into BBQ by getting talked into it by Blake. They talk about how they are separating themselves from other BBQ supply stores, the cool stickers and personalize...

Kurt talks with Sammy Ever of 702 in the Kitchen out of Las Vegas, NV about how his passion for cooking started when he was growing up helping his mom in the kitchen, why he likes trying new things and being unique, supporting small businesses, how he deals with failure and learns from every cook, he talks about his specialty of smoked desserts, cooking different steaks, great seasonings that go w...

Kurt talks with Justin "Juice" Turner & AJ Johnson of Norala BBQ Team out of Northern Alabama about about moving past the fear of competition and not having enough equipment to start BBQ competitions, hitting it off after their first practice cook and becoming a team, growing the sport by encouraging your friends who are interested in BBQ to get started, why they love KCBS, the power and gener...

Kurt talks with the first guest on BBQ 4 Newbies who is from the SCA (Steak Cookoff Association), Michael Underwood of 931 BBQ out of Shelbyville, TN, about why he decided to join the SCA, what to do and what NOT to do when getting ready for an SCA event, what areas he struggled in when he first started, how to deal with the timelines and cooking by yourself, why he heats up his steak before putti...

Kurt talks with Dustin Rudd, Pit Master of Blue Collar BBQ out of Southhaven, MS about how he got started in BBQ at 17 years old when his neighbors left an abandoned smoker after moving, going from KCBS to MBN, why he was hesitant to go into MBN due to the showmanship aspect and how his wife talked him into staying, the learning curve of the different sanctioning bodies, the changing flavor profil...

Kurt talks with Dustin Davis, Pit Master of Competition BBQ Team 'Que N Da 662' of Coldwater, MS, about how he has been a part of a BBQ family since he was a kid, he loves how it brings people together,  rediscovered how much he loved BBQ this past year, the difficulty (but simplicity) about cooking a whole hog, how ribs are harder to cook than a whole hog, how to grow the sport of BBQ, why n...

Kurt talks with Marcio Borguezan, Owner & Founder of Hog Addiction BBQ Competition Team out of Biloxi, MI, and the first BBQ 4 Newbies guest from the MBN (Memphis BBQ Network), about the difference between MBN and other BBQ sanctions, Hogs for a Cause, an organization supporting children with brain cancer, how Marcio finds purpose through BBQ, the roles everyone plays on the BBQ team to be suc...

Kurt talks with Matt Osman, Pit Master of Blinky's Offset BBQ out of Bellevue, TN, about why his Texas wife was the main reason he got into BBQ, his favorite Lang offset smoker, other types of smokers and why he is an offset guy, where his team name came from, his favorite dishes to make which include unique dishes from his heritage and upbringing, the importance of family and BBQ, how BBQ is a bo...

Kurt talks with Sawyer Williamson, Partner of Williamson Bros. BBQ out of Marietta and Canton, GA about the five different businesses run by Williamson Bros. BBQ, the unique things about their BBQ restaurants including cooking over open pits, how Sawyer's family went from the trailer park to getting noticed by the Atlanta Braves and into the restaurant business, why he loves cooking and the hospit...

Kurt talks with The Smokin' Texan (Chrissy Chance, Jeremy Chance, & Keith Kendrick), out of Canton, GA, about what got them interested in starting a BBQ restaurant, how Chrissy and Jeremy got started in BBQ, the Texas style cooking they bring to the table and competitions, how the team works at BBQ competitions, secrets to their whole hog process, and the importance of putting passion and love...

Kurt talks with Rub Bagby, Pit Master of Swamp Boys BBQ out of Winter Haven, FL, about starting his BBQ journey 18 years ago, the story of how he got the nickname Rub, why he started teaching classes, why he came up with his own rub and sauce line which are now on Publix shelves, how Rub navigates social media and building his brand, and his changed opinion on how to get the public involved in com...

Kurt talks with Brent Broaddus, Pit Master of Slapulator BBQ out of Riverview, FL, about how his BBQ journey started after feeling lonely during Covid and his social media algorithm taking him to Harry Soo, picking out what tools would work with his physical disability as well as his mental health capabilities, finding the right people, having a supportive spouse and mentors, getting DAL (dead a**...

Kurt talks with Robert Vanderipe, Co-Pit Master of Smoke Me Silly BBQ Team out of Madison, AL, about how he got roped into cooking chicken after a dropout for his first competition, Smoke Me Silly getting back to their roots, Alabama BBQ and if it is a thing, doing competitions just for the love of cooking BBQ, and advice for the newbies who are fresh on the competition circuit. "One of my favorit...

Kurt talks with Gary Lamb, Owner and Founder of Revival Events Group about how he started in BBQ, how it saved his life and how it helped rebuild his community, creating a better future for competition BBQ by putting the fans first, and Demin Fest happening October 28-29 in Canton, GA. Denim Fest is a free festival held in Canton, GA this Friday and Saturday, October 28-29. You can purchase ticket...