April 22, 2009
The Inspirations Behind Pork Barrel BBQ - Dad, Friends and Bobby Flay
We often get asked why we started Pork Barrel BBQ and how we became so interested in BBQ so we thought we would share a bit of our story with you and a couple pictures that were taken a few years ago when Pork Barrel BBQ was just an idea percolating in our heads as a dream that was a long way from reality.
It is true that both Brett and I have loved exploring our culinary talents (at least the two of us think we have culinary talent -- thinking is sometimes more dangerous than knowing) on grills and smokers for many years. It is also true that we've had our empty plates out in anticipation of what might be coming off a family member or friends grill during those summer BBQ's and still vivid in my memory is dad grilling and smoking meat on those cold snowy or raining winter nights. I think my dad's BBQ motto was similar to the Post Office motto and went something like this:
It is true that both Brett and I have loved exploring our culinary talents (at least the two of us think we have culinary talent -- thinking is sometimes more dangerous than knowing) on grills and smokers for many years. It is also true that we've had our empty plates out in anticipation of what might be coming off a family member or friends grill during those summer BBQ's and still vivid in my memory is dad grilling and smoking meat on those cold snowy or raining winter nights. I think my dad's BBQ motto was similar to the Post Office motto and went something like this:
"Neither rain nor hail nor sleet nor snow nor heat of day nor dark of night shall keep this BBQ'er from the swift completion of his brisket, ribs, chicken, steaks, pork chops, or baked potatoes."
The simple fact is we were lucky enough to grow up around great BBQ so we come by our love of it honestly -- and we like to eat a bit (this is also a good motivating factor). As we graduated from high school and moved to college a trend was starting around the country - chefs could actually become celebrities and they were bringing new and exciting food ideas to the masses. Folks were cooking things they'd never heard of only months earlier let alone tried to cook. One of these innovators was Bobby Flay - both Brett's and my culinary and grilling hero.
I'll never forget the first time I crossed paths with Bobby Flay - it was on a fledgling television network known as the Food Network. Right on the screen in front of me was this city slicker named Bobby Flay and a good ol' country boy named Jack McDavid. Jack was all about charcoal and wood and Bobby was all about gas. I immediately sided with Jack and felt he was the real authentic BBQ'er on the show because I believed no one in there right mind would use gas to grill (why not stay inside and use your stove and oven if you're going to use gas was what I was saying to myself). I loved the show, it was a couple of armature TV actors who could cook, but couldn't act. They went on to win no Academy Awards, but they both ended up winning me over. The show was short lived, but I had warmed to Bobby by the time the show was taken off and intrigued by his cooking.
The rest is history. Bobby has become one of the most recognizable cooks in all of America if not the world (who else has stood on a cutting board in Japan and lived to talk about it?). Bobby has matured into an excellent on air personality, but it has always been about the food for him and you can still see this on his current show Throwdown with Bobby Flay. Win or lose he has fun and enjoys learning the tricks of some of the best cooks in America.
We'd be comfortable in betting that Bobby has inspired many cooks across this country to try a new dish, eat something a bit different at a restaurant, get the grill out in the rain or snow, or in our case, along with our family and friends, get the courage to start a small business dedicated to great BBQ. Thanks for the inspiration Bobby!!!
Several years ago we were lucky enough to get the chance to meet Bobby during a visit of his to Congress where he was lobbying on behalf of technical education and trade schools. He took five minutes out of his busy schedule to stop and talk with us and answer some questions we had. He even had to step aside to get a picture taken with a Member of Congress and told us to hold on because he was going to come back and finish our conversation after he was finished with the picture and he held true to his word.
I'll never forget the first time I crossed paths with Bobby Flay - it was on a fledgling television network known as the Food Network. Right on the screen in front of me was this city slicker named Bobby Flay and a good ol' country boy named Jack McDavid. Jack was all about charcoal and wood and Bobby was all about gas. I immediately sided with Jack and felt he was the real authentic BBQ'er on the show because I believed no one in there right mind would use gas to grill (why not stay inside and use your stove and oven if you're going to use gas was what I was saying to myself). I loved the show, it was a couple of armature TV actors who could cook, but couldn't act. They went on to win no Academy Awards, but they both ended up winning me over. The show was short lived, but I had warmed to Bobby by the time the show was taken off and intrigued by his cooking.
The rest is history. Bobby has become one of the most recognizable cooks in all of America if not the world (who else has stood on a cutting board in Japan and lived to talk about it?). Bobby has matured into an excellent on air personality, but it has always been about the food for him and you can still see this on his current show Throwdown with Bobby Flay. Win or lose he has fun and enjoys learning the tricks of some of the best cooks in America.
We'd be comfortable in betting that Bobby has inspired many cooks across this country to try a new dish, eat something a bit different at a restaurant, get the grill out in the rain or snow, or in our case, along with our family and friends, get the courage to start a small business dedicated to great BBQ. Thanks for the inspiration Bobby!!!
Several years ago we were lucky enough to get the chance to meet Bobby during a visit of his to Congress where he was lobbying on behalf of technical education and trade schools. He took five minutes out of his busy schedule to stop and talk with us and answer some questions we had. He even had to step aside to get a picture taken with a Member of Congress and told us to hold on because he was going to come back and finish our conversation after he was finished with the picture and he held true to his word.
Bobby, we look forward to the next time our paths cross and hope you'll do us the favor of letting us know what you think about Pork Barrel BBQ - after all you are part of the reason we exist.
For more information on Bobby Flay check him out on the web at www.bobbyflay.com.
Thanks again for your inspiration and bring back Boy Meets Grill!!!
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