Welcome to Black Smoke Barbecue! We are a collaborative group that focuses on different aspects of Barbecue from Pitmasters from all across North America. Barbecue is a culture and we discuss topics, ideas and the methods of it on The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast. Our mission is to spotlight those lesser known content creators in backyard barbecue, catering, food truck operations as well as the African American experience in Modern Day Barbecue.
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East Chicago Flavor Meets Texas BBQ! Shawn Blaze Talks Turkey Legs, Oxtails & More
Episode 103
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 • Duration 42:11
🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥
🔥 What happens when Chicago flavor meets Texas barbecue?
On this episode of The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, we welcome Shawn Ealy, better known as Shawn Blaze of Shawn Blaze Kitchen, for a powerful conversation about barbecue, entrepreneurship, faith, family, and the grind behind building a food business.
From grilling in the Midwest to making a name for himself in the Dallas–Fort Worth barbecue scene, Shawn Blaze has built a following with his signature smoked turkey legs, smoked oxtails, Creole shrimp mac and cheese, and Chicago-inspired jerk creations.
But his journey goes far beyond the food.
After a serious battle with COVID-19, Shawn gained a new perspective on life and discovered what he believes is his purpose: feeding God's children. That experience helped fuel his passion for cooking and inspired him to take his culinary journey to another level.
🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:
🍗 Chicago Flavor Meets Texas BBQ:How Shawn brought his Midwest roots to the Texas barbecue scene with smoked turkey legs, jerk chicken, brisket, and loaded mac and cheese.
💪🏾 Finding Purpose Through Adversity: How surviving COVID changed Shawn's outlook on life, faith, and pursuing his passion.
💰 The REAL Cost of Barbecue: Why great barbecue isn't cheap and why customers need to understand the time, labor, ingredients, and dedication behind every plate.
⏰ The Entrepreneurial Grind: The early mornings, long hours, and sacrifices involved in running a catering and pop-up food business.
📱 The Power of Social Media: How food reviews, customer recommendations, and viral posts can help small barbecue businesses reach new audiences.
🚚 What's Next for Shawn Blaze Kitchen: Food truck plans, bigger events, expanding catering opportunities, and Shawn's signature Blaze jerk aioli.
🏆 THE MAC AND CHEESE SHOWDOWN: Things get interesting when Shawn Blaze and Brandon start talking about going head-to-head in a mac and cheese cook-off! Who's really got the best Mac?
Whether you're a backyard pitmaster, barbecue entrepreneur, food lover, or somebody who appreciates a great success story, this episode delivers real conversations, plenty of laughs, and insight into the barbecue business.
🔥 CONNECT WITH SHAWN BLAZE KITCHEN
Facebook: Shawn Blaze Barbecue
Instagram: Shawn Blaze Kitchen
TikTok: @BlazeKitchenOne
Follow Shawn to find out where he'll be serving up his signature creations next!
🎙️ JOIN THE BLACK SMOKE FAMILY
👍 LIKE this video if you love great barbecue and real conversations.
💬 COMMENT BELOW: Are you choosing smoked turkey legs, smoked oxtails, or jerk chicken mac and cheese? And who would win a mac and cheese cook-off: Brandon or Shawn Blaze?
🔔 SUBSCRIBE to the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast for conversations with pitmasters, chefs, entrepreneurs, and the people shaping barbecue culture.
🎧 Listen to the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
🔥 Join us on Patreon for exclusive content, including **Black Smoke After Dark**, where the conversations get a little wilder and the laughs keep coming!
Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.
👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!
🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com
Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.
🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥The day we've been waiting for has arrived. 🇫🇷🔥Black Smoke Barbecue continues our journey through Saint-Martin for the 2025 Festival de la Gastronomie, and this time we're heading into the streets of Marigot for one of the biggest days of the entire festival — the Saint-Martin BBQ Competition.In Episode 1, we explored the Village de la Gastronomie, met some of the people behind the festival and watched massive dino beef ribs and brisket hit the smokers in preparation for BBQ day.Now it's time to see how it all comes together.Brandon heads down Rue de la République as competitors fire up their grills and smokers, cooking their way through multiple categories for a chance to be named the Best BBQ in Saint-Martin.But barbecue is only part of the story.Throughout the day, the streets of Marigot come alive with steelpan, Carnival dancers, music, food and the culture of Saint-Martin. We also sit down with the Texas judges as they share what they're looking for in the competition and introduce the island to another barbecue tradition.Then we head into the Village de la Gastronomie, where Texas barbecue meets the Caribbean. We're talking brisket, massive dino beef ribs and the flavors of Bludso's BBQ, before Brandon continues eating his way through Saint-Martin — including freshly grilled lobster along the Marigot waterfront.As the sun goes down, we return to Rue de la République. The smokers are still going, the streets are packed, the music is playing — and eventually it's time to find out who will take home the trophies and be crowned among the 2025 Saint-Martin BBQ Competition winners.From Texas barbecue to Caribbean open-fire cooking, from the competition pits to Carnival in the streets, Episode 2 is about more than who wins.It's about the food, the people and the culture behind the smoke.🔥 In this episode:Saint-Martin BBQ • BBQ Competition • Dino Beef Ribs • Brisket • Bludso's BBQ • Caribbean BBQ • Grilled Lobster • Carnival • Steelpan • Village de la Gastronomie • Rue de la République • Marigot • Festival de la Gastronomie • Island Culture🌎 BLACK SMOKE: SAINT-MARTIN — EPISODE 2If you haven't watched the first chapter, start with Episode 1 and follow our entire Saint-Martin journey.Subscribe to Black Smoke Barbecue for more stories from the people, places and traditions shaping barbecue culture.We tell the stories behind the smoke.Special thanks to our sponsors Exhibit Supply and Harder Charcoal for supporting Black Smoke and helping us bring this story from Saint-Martin to you.Festival de la Gastronomie • Saint-Martin 🇸🇽#BlackSmokeBarbecue #SaintMartin #BBQ #CaribbeanFood #FestivalDeLaGastronomie #SXMHarder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.comExhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue📲 Connect With UsInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecueFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue
What’s Next for Country Style? Art Fennell on 10 Years & the Future
Episode 102
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 • Duration 30:41
🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥
After six episodes, Stories From the Smoke: A Country Style Series comes to a close with the man who started it all — Art Fennell.
Black Smoke Media spent Country Style 2026 in Blenheim, South Carolina, documenting the pitmasters, personalities, food and community that have made this event something much bigger than a barbecue competition.
There was just one conversation we didn't get to have that weekend.
Art was a little busy running Country Style.
So Tee and Charlie sat down with Art after the event to look back at the 10th anniversary of Country Style, how it grew from a gathering of local grill masters into a community that reaches far beyond South Carolina, and what the future may hold.
Art also gets into a conversation that every barbecue lover can appreciate: competition barbecue, backyard barbecue, who gets to define the “standard” — and why everybody's barbecue came out of the backyard first.
But this conversation goes beyond barbecue.
Art shares what Country Style has meant to people who've turned to the event during some of the hardest moments in their lives, and why he believes what they've created has become bigger than any one person.
This is the final chapter of Stories From the Smoke: A Country Style Series.
The Black BBQ History That Was Almost Forgotten | Stories From the Smoke at Country Style #BBQ
Friday, September 25, 2026 • Duration 27:19
🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥
Stories From the Smoke returns to the Country Style Cook-Off in Blenheim, South Carolina.
In Episode 5, “Keeping the Fire,” we sit down with Cordin Wood of Wood Family Q and Dr. Howard Conyers for two conversations connected by family, community, history and the traditions that continue to shape barbecue.
Cordin Wood takes us inside his first year competing at Country Style—from the preparation required to compete to developing new flavors and building Wood Family Q alongside his family. He also explains why the fellowship surrounding Country Style keeps bringing him back and why growth should never come at the expense of what makes the event special.
Then Dr. Howard Conyers takes the conversation back generations. Conyers discusses the role Black communities played in preserving whole-animal and whole-hog barbecue traditions, historic trench cooking across the South, the people whose contributions have been overlooked, and why documenting that history matters—especially in an era when misinformation can spread quickly.
For Conyers, Country Style represents something bigger than barbecue: fellowship, culture and community—a Southern family reunion built around the smoke.
Stories From the Smoke | Episode 5: Keeping the Fire
Subscribe to Black Smoke Barbecue for more stories exploring the people, history and culture behind the smoke.
Do You Wash Your Meat? The Great BBQ Debate #BBQ #Dinner #Clean
Episode 101
Friday, September 4, 2026 • Duration 37:18
🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥
Do you wash your meat before cooking it? And what exactly does “washing” meat even mean?
On this episode of the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, Brandon, Charlie, Tee and Alton jump into one of the most persistent—and controversial—conversations in the kitchen: Should you wash or rinse meat before cooking?
We're talking chicken, pork chops, ribs, lamb, ground beef and even oxtails. The crew breaks down the difference between rinsing away bone dust or other particles and trying to “clean” meat of bacteria. We also get into vinegar and citrus washes, cross-contamination around the kitchen, faucet aerators, restaurant practices, ground-meat safety and cooking temperatures.
And yes… somehow we eventually get to people washing chicken with dish soap. 😂
Where do you stand?
Do you wash your meat—or take it straight from the package to prep?
Drop your answer in the comments. We already know this one is going to be interesting. 👀🔥
Subscribe to Black Smoke Media for more conversations about BBQ, food, culture and the people behind it.
0:00 Should You Wash Your Meat? | News Report
0:37 Welcome to Black Smoke Barbecue
1:51 The Great Meat-Washing Debate Begins
3:34 What Does “Washing Meat” Actually Mean?
Noah Galuten Talks Grill Time, Kevin Bludso & the Secrets to Better BBQ #BBQ #Grilling #Recipe
Episode 102
Friday, August 28, 2026 • Duration 31:09
🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥
What if better barbecue didn't have to be complicated?
James Beard Award-winning cookbook author and chef Noah Galuten joins the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast to talk about his new cookbook, Grill Time, his approach to making grilling simpler and more approachable, and what he's learned cooking alongside barbecue legend Kevin Bludso.
Noah gets into some of the techniques and recipes behind Grill Time, including the surprising reason he puts mayonnaise on fish before grilling, miso butter corn, pit-smoked black cod, honey balsamic pork tenderloin, beer brats and his approach to making a better turkey burger. His mayo technique, for example, helps seasoning adhere, promotes browning and helps keep fish from sticking to the grill.
We also go behind the scenes of Barbecue Smokeout, Noah's Tastemade series with Kevin Bludso, including how their hot-and-fast vs. low-and-slow cooking styles work together, what goes into filming those marathon BBQ cook days, and what's coming next for the show. Noah also breaks down one of his favorite cooks from the series: barbecued oxtail spaghetti vs. Kevin Bludso's smoked oxtails.
🎁 WIN A COPY OF NOAH GALUTEN'S GRILL TIME!
We're giving away TWO copies of Grill Time.
TO ENTER:
▶️ Watch this episode on YOUTUBE and leave your entry in the YOUTUBE COMMENTS ONLY.
Tell us one BBQ or grilling question you've always wanted answered.
Summer Róyal 2026 | Whole Hog BBQ, Charity, Community & Competition in Dillon, SC #bbq
Episode 100
Friday, July 31, 2026 • Duration 27:33
Every great barbecue event has a story... and Summer Royale is one worth sharing.
Join us as @pitmastercheez (Stan), Tyrone @tyronemanning9686 T-Dub BBQ and the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast discuss everything coming to the 4th Annual Summer Róyal in Dillon, South Carolina.
What started as a fundraiser for a classmate battling cancer has grown into one of the Southeast's most meaningful barbecue events—bringing together pitmasters, families and the community to support local cancer patients while celebrating whole hog barbecue, competition and fellowship.
In this episode you'll hear about:
🔥 Whole Hog Competition
🍗 Chicken Wing Shootout
🐖 Pitmaster Meet & Greet
🎁 Giveaways including a vehicle, TVs, premium car wash packages and more
🎓 The new Toni Graves Scholarship Initiative
❤️ Why giving back is the heart of Summer Royale
Whether you're a competition cook, backyard pitmaster, or simply love authentic barbecue culture, this is an event you won't want to miss.
The Side of BBQ That Most People Never See | Da Rib King at Country Style Cookoff 2026 #bbq
Friday, July 24, 2026 • Duration 13:13
🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥
STORIES FROM THE SMOKE | Chapter Four: When Barbecue Becomes A Mission
At Country Style Cookoff, barbecue is about much more than trophies.
It's about the people.
In Chapter 4 of our Stories From The Smoke series, we sit down with Tyrone Manning, better known as Da Rib King.
Tyrone's barbecue journey has taken him through years of competition, countless lessons, and plenty of losses along the way. But his biggest impact has never been measured by trophies.
From fundraising for classmates battling cancer to creating opportunities through scholarships and community events, Tyrone has built a legacy around using barbecue as a way to bring people together.
In this episode, we explore the story behind the crown, the passion behind the ribs, and why Country Style Cookoff represents something bigger than competition.
🔥 Subscribe for the next chapter of Stories From the Smoke as we continue exploring the people, traditions, and culture that make barbecue more than just food.
Special Thanks:
Aerial footage courtesy of Stanley Parker | True North Aerial Imaging for capturing stunning aerial perspectives of the 2026 Country Style Cook Off.
The People That Make BBQ Special | Country Style Cookoff 2026 #bbq
Friday, July 17, 2026 • Duration 21:13
🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥
STORIES FROM THE SMOKE | Chapter Three: The Voices of Barbecue
What makes the Country Style Cookoff different from every other barbecue event?
It's the people.
In Chapter Three of our Stories From the Smoke series, we meet two unforgettable personalities who represent two very different sides of barbecue culture.
First, we catch up with Bruce "Boo" Yeomans—a Navy veteran, pitmaster, food truck owner, and one of the leaders helping preserve the history and legacy of Black barbecue.
Then we sit down with the one and only Alfred "Spoonfed" McDonald. Known throughout the barbecue world for his legendary trash talk, Spoonfed delivers laughs, stories, competition wisdom, and a reminder that barbecue is about far more than trophies.
From smoke-filled cook sites to unforgettable conversations, this episode captures the personalities that make Country Style Cookoff one of the most unique barbecue events in America.
Hosted by Art Fennell @OriginalChannel06 the 10th Anniversary Country Style Cookoff serves as the backdrop for a weekend filled with smoke, fellowship, and unforgettable stories.
This isn’t just another barbecue competition.
These are the stories behind the smoke.
The Side of BBQ Most People Never See | Country Style Cookoff 2026 #bbq
Friday, July 10, 2026 • Duration 16:59
🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥
STORIES FROM THE SMOKE | Chapter Two: Where the Smoke Comes Alive
Country Style Cookoff 2026 in Blenheim, South Carolina brings together pitmasters, families, and barbecue lovers from across the country for a celebration of food, culture, and community.
In Chapter Two of Stories From the Smoke, we go beyond the competition and spend time with the people who make Country Style special.
We first catch up with Chris Joyner of CJ's BBQ and More @cjsbbqmorellc1464 whose larger-than-life personality, legendary Frytanic fish fryer, and passion for serving others have made him one of the event’s most recognizable figures.
From there, we sit down with Stan “Pitmaster Cheez” Battle @pitmastercheez for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, barbecue culture, competition, and what it really takes to build a career around live fire.
Hosted by Art Fennell @OriginalChannel06 the 10th Anniversary Country Style Cookoff serves as the backdrop for a weekend filled with smoke, fellowship, and unforgettable stories.
This isn’t just another barbecue competition.
These are the stories behind the smoke.
🔥 In this episode:
• Art reflects on 10 years of Country Style
• How Country Style grew into a nationwide community
• The culture behind the cook-off
• Competition BBQ vs. backyard BBQ
• Why different styles of barbecue deserve a place at the table
• The future of Country Style
• What could change after the 10th anniversary
Thank you to everyone who welcomed Black Smoke Media into the Country Style family and everyone who followed this journey through all six episodes.
And special thanks to our sponsors, Exhibit Supply and Harder Charcoal, for supporting Black Smoke Media.
Subscribe for more stories about the people, places and culture behind barbecue.
Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.
👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!
🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com
Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.
🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com
👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue
00:00 Introduction | Art Fennell & the Series Finale
01:24 Celebrating 10 Years of Country Style
03:14 How Country Style Became a BBQ Family
08:26 More Than Barbecue: Stories That Matter
15:02 Art's Country Style Podcast & the People
17:23 Sanctioned BBQ vs. Backyard BBQ
18:04 Art Fennell on KCBS & Barbecue Standards
19:59 Country Style Judging, Creativity & Tradition
21:48 The Growth and Future of Country Style
22:38 Big Changes Ahead: A New Location
24:33 Will Country Style Stay in Blenheim?
25:57 Where to Follow Art Fennell & Country Style
27:18 Closing Out Stories From the Smoke
00:00 Stories From the Smoke: Keeping the Fire
01:14 Cordin Wood: First Time at Country Style
02:18 Preparation Is Everything
03:10 Creating New BBQ Flavors
05:19 Building Wood Family Q as a Family
07:01 Why Country Style Keeps Him Coming Back
08:39 Growing Without Losing the Culture
09:10 What’s Next for Wood Family Q
12:01 Introducing Dr. Howard Conyers
13:14 Dr. Howard Conyers
14:30 The Black History of American Barbecue
15:15 Trench Barbecue Across the South
16:35 Preserving the Whole-Hog Tradition
18:49 The Gentrification of Barbecue
19:54 Country Style: Our Own Memphis in May
20:49 BBQ History in the Age of AI
21:45 Barbecue, Moonshine & the Stories Still Untold
23:25 Community, Ownership & Working Together
24:48 Country Style Is a Family Reunion
26:25 The Importance of Doing Your Due Diligence
Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.
👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!
🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com
Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.
🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com
👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue
Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.
👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!
🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com
Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.
🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com
👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue
Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.
👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!
🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com
Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.
🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com
👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue
If you're unable to attend but would still like to support the mission, donation information is provided in the video.
🔥 Subscribe for more barbecue stories, pitmaster interviews, competitions and behind-the-scenes content from across America.
👍🏾 Like the video
💬 Leave a comment telling us your favorite barbecue festival.
🔔 Subscribe so you never miss another episode.
Donation Disclaimer
The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast/Black Smoke Media does not collect or distribute donations for Summer Royale. Any donation information shown in this video is provided solely at the request of the event organizers. Please direct all donations and questions to Summer Royale using the payment methods and contact information displayed during the video.
00:00 Welcome to Dillon, South Carolina
00:22 Introducing the Summer Royale Special
01:31 What is Summer Royale?
03:00 The Mission Behind the Event
04:38 Why This Cause Matters
06:07 How People Can Donate
08:02 Why Summer Royale Feels Different
09:19 Giveaways, Cars & Community
10:56 Friday Night Pitmaster Meet & Greet
12:58 Friday Night Fish Fry
14:17 New Scholarship Initiative
17:21 Competition Categories & Teams
20:03 Event Details & Admission
21:04 Family Friendly Atmosphere
23:07 Why You Should Attend
24:39 Friday Meet, Greet & Eat
26:24 Community Before Competition
26:44 Final Invitation
👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue
7:08 — Fundraisers, giveaways, and a new scholarship
8:12 — What losing has taught him
9:49 — The community of pitmasters
10:19 — Why barbecue brings people together
11:21 — Promoting the barbecue community
12:22 — Closing thoughts and sign-off
Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.
👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!
🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com
Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.
🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com
👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue
🔥 Subscribe for the next chapter of Stories From the Smoke as we continue exploring the people, traditions, and culture that make barbecue more than just food.
Special Thanks:
Aerial footage courtesy of Stanley Parker | True North Aerial Imaging for capturing stunning aerial perspectives of the 2026 Country Style Cook Off.
00:00 Introduction to SpoonFed and the barbecue culture
00:19 The story behind the name SpoonFed
02:21 SpoonFed's role in Southern barbecue culture
03:46 Barbecue competition experiences and first-time moments
05:52 The importance of love and passion in barbecue
07:45 Trash talk and competition mindset
09:30 Who is SpoonFed's biggest rival in trash talk
11:05 Advice for aspiring pitmasters
12:38 Favorite proteins and cooking preferences
14:43 Challenges and magic tricks in barbecue
17:33 Why the Country Style Cook-Off is unmatched
19:24 Opinions on pellet grills and traditional methods
20:55 Closing thoughts and the spirit of barbecue
Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.
👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!
🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com
Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.
🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com
👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue
🔥 Subscribe for the next chapter of Stories From the Smoke as we continue exploring the people, traditions, and culture that make barbecue more than just food.
Special Thanks:
Aerial footage courtesy of Stanley Parker | True North Aerial Imaging for capturing stunning aerial perspectives of the 2026 Country Style Cook Off.
00:00 Introduction to the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast and the event
02:22 Growth of the event and competition highlights
04:18 Live from the event with CJ's BBQ and More
05:22 Interview with Pitmaster Cheez and his journey
06:14 The evolution of barbecue and its gentrification
10:53 Why everyone should experience Country Style BBQ
11:55 Reflections on the Juneteenth fish fry
12:40 The significance of barbecue as a cultural holiday
13:24 Pitmaster Cheez on his brand and social media
14:06 Closing remarks and encouragement to follow the podcast
Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.
👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!
🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com
Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.
🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com
👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue
