5 top BBQ couples share advice on love and barbecue (plus top news & events)
This week, many couples around the United States and the world will celebrate Valentine’s Day. Given the popularity of the holiday, we decided to ask five of the barbecue world’s most successful couples to share words of wisdom on how they stay close and succeed in barbecue.
Here’s what they had to say.
Rashad and Patrice Jones
“Running a successful barbecue business — something we are both sincerely passionate about and committed to — can be very challenging at times, especially when your business partner is also your partner in life. We both vowed to never let business come between us or our family, so maintaining great work-life balance and keeping our priorities in line are just as important to us as continuing to improve and grow our business. For us, the key is work ethic. Whatever you do in life is only ever as good as your work ethic. You can't really run a successful barbecue business without having a tremendous work ethic. We believe the same holds true for our marriage. We love each other, we're straight up with each other, and we really do work just as hard to have a healthy marriage as we do to have a successful business.” -Patrice Jones of Big Lee’s BBQ in Ocala, Florida
LeAnn Mueller and Alison Clem
“Communication and compromise is a huge part of us working together, and it’s important to remember that LeAnn thinks she is always right at the end of the day. We try to laugh as much as we can. Working together has not always been easy on both of us, but through the years we have learned to come together while running la Barbecue. I work with LeAnn not only in barbecue but also in her fantastic photo career. We love traveling and meeting people around the world and share the passion for food and have a great time.” -Alison Clem of la Barbecue in Austin, Texas
Andrew and Michelle Munoz
“For us, the main priority is to not become complacent with what we do and always try to improve and push our craft forward. Michelle is the creative one and is always tinkering with different recipes. I love the simplicity of simple seasoning and live-fire cooking on smokers. We love what we do and think this is key in running any successful business. The best part of it all is getting to work together. Sure we drive each other crazy sometimes, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.” -Andrew Munoz of Moo’s Craft Barbecue in Los Angeles, California
Russell and Misty Roegels
“I have worked with Russell since July 2001. We had been on catering jobs together before that but never side by side everyday. The first few years were a learning curve for me. What I have learned is how to critique, how to take criticism, and how not to take it personally. I always say there is a fine line that I don’t cross. We make major decisions together and talk about the little ones that have already been made. It is very important that you both know what is going on. When you go home at night, try to leave the day behind. Sometimes that happens, sometimes it doesn’t. Working together isn’t always perfect. As long as you both have the same end goal, you can make it work. You may have to stumble your way there. I wouldn’t want to work side by side with anyone else.” -Misty Roegels of Roegels Barbecue in Houston, Texas
Gregory and Celia Vivier
“We have worked together for 20 years. Our relationship is really strong. We have a lot of respect for each other and the trust and respect has been there since day one. It comes down to respect for each other. It’s not always easy. It’s not for everybody. The reality is, there are ups and downs. Leave work at work and leave your home life your home life. Don’t bring your personal problems to work. We are usually on the same page as far as what is going on at the restaurant and what is going on at home. It was important for us to make that definition as clear as possible since the beginning. We have managed to keep it that way.” -Gregory and Celia Vivier of Grand Champion BBQ in Roswell, Georgia
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It won’t come as any surprise that many of the same qualities you need to be successful in barbecue are the same for being a successful couple. These include commitment, respect, caring, trust, and perhaps more than anything, patience.
Thank you to Rashad and Patrice, Russell and Misty, Alison Clem and LeAnn, Andrew and Michelle, and Gregory and Celia for sharing advice and words of wisdom with our readers. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
Ryan Cooper (BBQ Tourist) and Sean Ludwig (NYC BBQ)
Co-Founders, The Smoke Sheet
Here are the top recent barbecue news stories from around the country:
This platter is from Goldee’s Barbecue, one of the most highly-anticipated barbecue joints set to open soon in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ryan Cooper)
Recently, there has been a lot of news about the openings of several highly-anticipated barbecue restaurants in Fort Worth and Arlington in Texas, including:
Goldee’s Barbecue is scheduled to open on Saturday, February 15th at 4645 Dick Price Road in southeastern Fort Worth. The star-studded cast of pitmasters at Goldee’s will serve barbecue from Friday through Sunday each week.
Eater Dallas reported on Hurtado Barbecue’s much-anticipated move to their brick-and-mortar location at 205 East Front Street in Arlington, with the grand opening party on Saturday, February 22nd.
The much-beloved Brix Barbecue food truck settled in a permanent location across from Hop Fusion Ale Works, just off South Main in Fort Worth. Look for the WWII bomber-style smoker and the 1971 Airstream trailer.
Texas Monthly’s Daniel Vaughn wrote about the recent opening of La Pantera Tacos y Mas, the Panther City BBQ evening taco joint spinoff at 201 East Hattie Street in Fort Worth.
Major League Soccer team Sporting Kansas City recently announced a new partnership with the American Royal Association to bring barbecue to Children’s Mercy Park, where a concession will serve barbecue to fans at every home match beginning this season.
According to Cheryl Baehr of the Riverfront Times, relative newcomer Knockout BBQ in St. Louis distinguishes itself in a city known for great barbecue, serving smoked meats in a variety of regional styles.
Micah Smith took a look back at the history of the black pitmasters who helped shape barbecue in Denver, a city that historically had a rich barbecue tradition that was later abandoned.
Barbecue scholar Robert Moss visited a few classic joints as well as newcomers to the Tampa Bay-Saint Petersburg barbecue scene for Southern Living.
What’s in a name? J.C. Reid of the Houston Chronicle wrote about the fascinating stories behind the names of barbecue joints across the country. (Reid somehow missed one of the more interesting names we stumbled upon: Milt’s Barbecue for the Perplexed in Chicago.)
Barbecue photographer Wyatt McSpadden shared his experience introducing two titans of Texas barbecue, when he took Kreuz Market pitmaster Roy Perez to meet Snow’s BBQ pitmaster Tootsie Tomanetz.
The Houston Chronicle’s food critic Alison Cook recently named Truth BBQ and Blood Bros. BBQ among the twelve best new restaurants in Houston.
Last week, Texas Monthly taco editor José R. Ralat highlighted the Birria de Res at JQ’s Tex Mex in Houston as the “Taco of the Week.” Pitmaster Joseph Quellar uses a combination of beef brisket and oxtail in place of the goat and lamb traditionally used.
In a bit of sad news, two great barbecue joints closed recently. They include:
Blue Moon BBQ, one of Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ joints, closed its doors recently after 12 years. A road construction project on Texas Highway OSR that will last until 2022 blocked off access to the joint and made it difficult for people to get there. "The roads need the repair work but it's been at the expense of our business and our neighbor's business," co-owner Toni Moon told KBTX.
Hill’s Lexington Barbecue has closed after 68 years in business in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Hill’s claimed to be the first restaurant to use the term “Lexington Barbecue,” and it was known for its chopped pork sandwiches. While Hill’s closing is sad, there is still a lot happening in Winston-Salem’s changing BBQ community.
Here are BBQ shows, podcasts, or books you should check out this week:
BBQuest visits the Texas Panhandle to find some of the best barbecue in the Lone Star State.
Watch: BBQuest Season 2, Episode 4 Panhandle-South Plains — BBQuest
Barbecue enthusiast and native Texan Kelsey Pribilski is on a quest to find secret menu items at some of the best barbecue joints in Texas. This episode has Kelsey searching for local flavors in the Texas Panhandle-South Plains region, with the help of local guide Rory Schepisi, chef/owner of The Drunken Oyster in Amarillo and competitor on The Next Food Network Star. Watch here.
Listen: Matt’s BBQ — Best Barbecue Show
Host Yoni Levin sits down with the crew from Portland, Oregon’s Matt’s BBQ. Recently, Daniel Vaughn listed Portland as having “the best Texas BBQ scene” outside of the Lone Star State and Matt’s BBQ has been a noteworthy standout. Yoni ran into the crew from Matt’s at Snow’s BBQ and invited them to sit down to talk barbecue the next day. The table of nine passed the mics back and forth to share stories and insights into how they put their own unique spin on barbecue in Portland. Listen to the episode here.
Read: Cast-Iron Cooking for Two: 75 Quick and Easy Skillet Recipes — by Joanna Pruess
In Cast‑Iron Cooking for Two, Joanna Pruess celebrates the enduring appeal of cast‑iron cooking and the countless twosomes who love sharing home‑cooked food. Her 75 easy and flavorful recipes feature versatile cast‑iron skillets that are the right size for people cooking for two (or three), whether they be empty nesters, college students, or just anyone who is not feeding a group. Pruess invites the cook to get creative, mix and match, and buck tradition, with recipes such as Buckwheat Crêpes with Smoked Salmon, Blackberry Candied Ginger Crisp, and side dishes, such as Roasted Corn Pancakes with Cherry Tomato Salsa and Sweet Potato Pancakes with Brussels Sprouts Slaw. Buy it here.
Meatstock Music and Barbecue Festival takes place in Auckland, New Zealand this February.
February 15-16, 2020: Meatstock Music and Barbecue Festival (Auckland edition) — Auckland, New Zealand
Meatstock Auckland is back again in its fourth installment of excessive meat and rockin’ blues. The sell-out festival will be returning to its NZ home, the ASB Showground, on the 15th and 16th of February. The Festival includes live music, demonstrations, food trucks, barbecue expo, live art, the Rod + Custom Rumble, competitions, free rides for the kids, and refreshments by Liberty Brewing and Jack Daniels, plus more. More info here.
February 22, 2020: Rock the Block — Charleston, South Carolina
The gang at Home Team BBQ in Charleston will soon host their third annual block party benefiting the Hogs for the Cause event in late March. (More on Hogs below!) The Rock the Block event is free to attend and there will be tons of pitmasters and chefs there making food. VIP tickets will get you access to even more food and BBQ options. If you love food and music and aren’t too far from Charleston, you won’t want to miss this. More info here.
February 28 - March 1, 2020: New School Barbecue University — Austin, Texas
Leroy & Lewis Barbecue of Austin, Texas (which we included in ) will soon be “sharing their secrets” at its New School Barbecue University. During one long weekend, you’ll learn how to create popular items like beef cheeks, brisket, barbacoa, whole hog, sausages, and more. Attendance is limited to just 30 attendees so be sure to get your applications in quickly if you are interested. More info here.
February 27-29, 2020: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Bar-B-Que Contest — Houston, Texas
More than 250 teams, led by barbecue aficionados, compete in the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. While most team tents are invitation-only, visitors can enjoy several public venues, including The Garden, Rockin' Bar-B-Que Saloon, and the Chuck Wagon. Activities include live music, rides, games, and more and visitors will receive a complimentary sliced brisket plate with chips and beans. More info here.
March 4-8, 2020: Charleston Food and Wine Festival — Charleston, South Carolina
The Charleston Wine + Food infuses homegrown flavor with top chefs, winemakers, authors, storytellers, artisans, and food enthusiasts from around the globe for a five-day event that spans the first full weekend each March. More info here.
March 14-15, 2020: Meatstock Music and Barbecue Festival (Melbourne edition) — Melbourne, Australia
Meatstock returns for its fourth year with a typically stacked line-up of barbecue enthusiasts and bands. The sell-out, two-day event brings big-name American pitmasters Down Under; sees 50 teams from across Melbourne go head-to-head over the coals to be crowned the city’s best barbequers; and features live music, food trucks and pop-up bars. This year, American pitmasters Moe Cason, Wayne Mueller from Louie Mueller Barbecue, and Ronnie Evans and Philip Moseley from Blue Oak BBQ will be putting on demonstrations. More info here.
March 27-28, 2020: Hogs for the Cause — New Orleans, Louisiana
Hogs for the Cause returns as the largest, tastiest BBQ festival in New Orleans. The city welcomes numerous local and regional BBQ masters and the best backyard chefs to compete in seven categories: Whole Hog, Ribs, Pork Butt/Shoulder, Porkpourri, Sauce, Fan Favorite, and Fundraising Champion. The barbecue festival is a two-day event full of music, local beer, and fundraising. More info here.
March 27-28, 2020: Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash — Venice, Florida
Since 2010, the Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash has established itself as a destination for the best barbecue competition and bluegrass entertainment in Southwest Florida. It is the signature fund-raiser for the Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children (SFHC). More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will feature a large Florida BBQ Association competition, lots of live music, parties, cornhole tournament, family fun, and more. More info here.
April 1-4, 2020: National Barbecue & Grilling Association Annual Conference — Louisville, Kentucky
The National Barbecue & Grilling Association (NBBQA) Annual Conference will be held at The Galt House Hotel. The conference gathers members and people from across the industry to network, learn, and participate in a variety of topics and activities around the Business of BBQ. Whether you are a product owner, run a restaurant, involved in media, or any other sector of BBQ, there are boundless opportunities to network, learn, and grow at the event. More info here.
April 5, 2020: 8th Annual Houston BBQ Festival — Houston, Texas
The 8th Annual Houston BBQ Festival will take place on Sunday, April 5th from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Humble Civic Center Arena Complex. The festival will feature Houston’s best barbecue joints all in one place, including Blood Bros BBQ, Brett's BBQ Shop, Buck's Barbeque, CorkScrew BBQ, Daddy Duncan's BBQ, Eaker Barbecue, and Feges BBQ. Read our to learn about the experience. More info here.
April 18, 2020: Jeff Michner BBQ Benefit 2020 — Brooklyn, New York
Mark your calendars for the Jeff Michner BBQ Benefit 2020 at Pig Beach NYC in Brooklyn. Following the successful 2019 version of the event, this will feature many of the top pitmasters from around the country serving up incredible food, including Tuffy Stone, Chris Lilly, Amy Mills, Sam Jones, Carey Bringle, Billy Durney, and more. Read about the 2019 Jeff Michner BBQ benefit here. More info on the 2020 edition here.
See the full Smoke Sheet events calendar online here.
Try grilling peaches with cinnamon sugar for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day.
Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Sugar by Bobby Flay
For this week’s Recipe of the Week, we chose a simple and sweet recipe for you to share with your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. This dessert dish from celebrity chef Bobby Flay is quick and easy to make on the grill. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll be able to impress your Valentine. View the recipe here.
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