The Low & Slow Barbecue Show

Southern Living’s Next BBQ Legends & Best New BBQ in the South

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:50:00 -0400

Southern Living’s Luncheon with Legends is almost here and we talk about the pitmasters, the menu and what you can expect Sept. 20 at The Hunter Farm in Weddington. For the first time ever, a partnership with the Charlotte Regional Visitors’ Authority is bringing five pitmasters together to showcase distinct traditions, techniques, and stories. Find out which Carolina joints landed on Robert F. Moss’ list of the best new BBQ right now – and which one missed out by closing hours before the list was finalized. Don’t miss this Fall festival line up in this Carolina BBQ Festival local barbecue summer episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show that is helping you prepare for the changing seasons. We save dessert for last with Carolina BBQ news bites that include 55 years of BBQ King.

The Low & Slow Barbecue Show 2026 season is sponsored by Carolina BBQ Festival, which invites you to celebrate local barbecue summer 2026 today when you visit a locally owned barbecue business. Find a list of local pitmasters here!

John Shelton Reed continues the Campaign for Real Barbecue

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 01:45:00 -0400

Historian, wood-cooked meat advocate and “Eminence Grease” John Shelton Reed discusses the Campaign for Real Barbecue and the changing barbecue culture in the South. Is the broader Southern food culture following the same path of the barbecue? Are craft barbecue pitmasters honoring their wood-cooked roots? Find out John Shelton Reed’s ideal barbecue order, how his barbecue journey began and the reception his barbecue opinions have been received over the years. Get the latest on John’s revised and updated book 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the South – coming in 2027. Don’t miss John Shelton Reed’s barbecue hot takes – what he’s craving, what’s he’s missing, and what he’ll never visit.

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Blue Suede BBQ is coming to Pinehurst Barbecue Festival

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 13:03:54 -0400

Blue Suede BBQ Pitmaster Chris Loschiavo returns to The Low & Slow Barbecue Show ahead of his first official appearance in the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival Pitmaster Invitational lineup. Find out how his barbecue food truck business is growing in North Carolina’s Southern Pines region and where you’ll see him serving a full menu of smoked meat delights around the region. Chris shares an update on the barbecue life after a career in the U.S. Army, including an appearance at the Barbecue Expo in France and a barbecue sauce and rub business that supports charitable causes and continues his life of service. Don’t miss the Blue Suede BBQ menu selection for the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival Pitmaster Invitational on Sunday, Sept. 6 in the Village of Pinehurst.

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Bright Leaf Bologna BBQ Championship with Carolina Packers

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 01:38:00 -0400

What does it take to be the Bologna BBQ Champion? And why are the Bright Leaf hot dogs red? Carolina Packers’ Justin Raymond joins The Low & Slow Barbecue Show with all the details on that second annual Bright Lead Bologna BBQ Championship on Sept. 19 in Selma, NC. Listen to find out how the event started, what competitors can expect, the PRIZES, the judging process and this year’s new additions. (Spoiler: anything goes as long as it uses Bright Leaf or Curtis bologna provided by Carolina Packers!) Learn how the family-owned Carolina Packers business and Bright Leaf brand began in 1941 and the diverse products the business still brings to markets throughout the Carolinas. Don’t miss the story behind the red color of the Bright Leaf hot dog, plus advice for the best way to dress your Bright Leaf hot dog.

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Melissa Cookston on the State of BBQ Report

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:33:00 -0400

World Barbecue Champion Melissa Cookston talks about the State of Barbecue in the U.S. Find out what backyard pitmasters are getting right – and missing the mark. We examine the Prairie Fresh State of BBQ Report and talk about the difference between competence and confidence for a backyard pitmaster. Melissa Cookston shares advice that backyard pitmasters can use to improve their game at home and tips she uses to bring a better smoke flavor to a pellet cooker. Don’t miss Melissa’s ideal barbecue plate and the details from her barbecue backstory.

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Competition BBQ with Festival of Discovery Champion Cocamoke Smoke BBQ

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 02:03:00 -0400

Competition BBQ pitmaster Cody Turner discusses his Grand Championship during his first trip to South Carolina Festival of Discovery. What went right? What went wrong? And what happened when he heard the “Cocamoke Smoke BBQ” call at the Kansas City Barbecue Society awards ceremony. Learn the process behind his competition BBQ cook, including his favorite seasoning rubs and barbecue sauce. Hear what fuels his competition barbecue fire, how he fine-tunes his process, and what he’s doing to get ready for the BBQ World Cup in hopes of winning a $1 million prize. Find out the history behind the Cocamoke Smoke name, why he entered the competition BBQ arena, and how he justifies the financial investment in traveling the South to smoke meat.

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5 BBQ Pitmasters shaping the future with Robert F. Moss

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 01:44:00 -0400

Which BBQ pitmasters will we remember 60 years from now? Southern Living BBQ Editor Robert F. Moss introduces 5 BBQ pitmasters following in the footsteps of ambitious smoke tenders who helped revitalize the Southern barbecue scene. Hear his case for why Elliott Moss, Hector Garate, Evan LeRoy, Zach Parker, and Lewis Donald are the next generation of Southern barbecue icons. We discuss the Luncheon with Legends walk-around tasting featuring all 5 pitmasters, and Robert explains the process behind his Top BBQ lists for Southern Living. Don’t miss Robert’s take on the “state of barbecue” journalism, food service and the industry at large.

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Festival of Discovery 2026 Recap: KCBS Behind-the-Scenes

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 01:44:00 -0400

Festival of Discovery 2026 offered a glimpse behind the scenes of a Kansas City Barbecue Society Championship. Learn what fuels the success of a festival that brings thousands of people to Uptown Greenwood every year. Go inside the competition cook trailer and behind the scenes for the BBQ judging process. Find out who won this year’s KCBS competition and qualified for the BBQ World Cup and a $1 million barbecue battle. Listen to this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show for the full recap from the 25th annual South Carolina Festival of Discovery. Don’t miss your invitation to experience the unexpected wonders of South Carolina’s Old 96 District.

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Smoking 4TH of July Ribs and Finding Local BBQ

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 01:56:00 -0400

How do you make the best smoked pork spareribs? Low & Slow Barbecue Show host Chigger Willard reveals his 4th of July ribs process, from the prep and the rubs to the smoking method and the results. Find out what went right during the 3-hour cook, and what could have gone better for the Independence Day meat smoking. Listen to this episode sponsored by Visit Old 96 District and you’ll learn what kind of weight Yelp and Google’s barbecue rankers should get in your barbecue road trip plans. Don’t miss the latest details and advice for enjoying South Carolina Festival of Discovery in Uptown Greenwood July 9-11. Be sure to join Chigger at the festival for the People’s Choice awards, hot dog eating contest and dozens of live blues music concerts. Catch up on the latest local Carolina barbecue news from businesses leaving the scene while others join the smoky fray.

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Judging Barbecue at S.C. Festival of Discovery

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:45:00 -0400

Competition barbecue judge Catherine Gaither explains what happens at the scoring tables during South Carolina’s Festival of Discovery’s Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned event. Find out what judging barbecue entails, from the certification to the tasting, and learn what keeps Catherine coming back. Don’t miss this judge’s barbecue backstory that’s steeped in South Carolina barbecue tradition. Listen to this podcast in the Carolina BBQ Festival’s local barbecue summer, and you’ll learn what to expect when you attend South Carolina’s Festival of Discovery in Uptown Greenwood, July 9-11. Join us as we discover uptown Greenwood’s jewel in the Old 96 District crown.

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South Carolina Festival of Discovery 2026

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:36:00 -0400

South Carolina Festival of Discovery marks its 25th year July 9-11 in uptown Greenwood. Bringing barbecue and the blues together, Festival of Discovery delivers a $2.8 million local economic impact as 50,000 people and nearly 100 competitors seek cash prizes, great music, and championship food bites. Find out what’s new in the 2026 Festival of Discovery schedule and learn about local businesses making this year’s event possible. Don’t miss our bite into the hot dog-eating contest (and the strict competition qualifications). Listen to this episode sponsored by the Old 96 District for our conversation with Festival of Discovery organizer Gibson Hall, who reveals the perennial favorites for the people’s choice barbecue award.

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Local Barbecue Summer: Festival Lineups, Archibald’s BBQ and Cranford Brothers

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:50:00 -0400

Local Barbecue Summer 2026 kicks off with stops at Archibald’s BBQ and Cranford Brothers Barbecue. Hot off the press: Pinehurst Barbecue Festival’s 2026 lineup of local pitmasters bringing barbecue and business to the North Carolina Sandhills. And in Uptown Greenwood, the 25th annual South Carolina Festival of Discovery combines blues and barbecue for a celebration of culture, food, people and history. Learn about the 64-year history of Archibald’s BBQ in Northport, AL, and the experience during a visit at the Alabama Barbecue institution. Listen and you’ll also find out about Cranford Brothers Barbecue’s new event space and a crazy idea Chigger is trying to cook up for college football season. Alabama ribs vs Eastern Carolina whole hog. Bama vs. ECU. September 5. Who wants to party?

This episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show is sponsored by Carolina BBQ Festival, which invites you to celebrate barbecue summer 2026 today when you visit a locally owned barbecue business. Find a list of local pitmasters here!

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Barbecue with Dad: Early Embers to The Crazy Pig

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:45:00 -0400

Chigger Willard reflects on barbecue with dad and the barbecue chicken beginnings that his father sparked by passing along passions for live-fire cooking, food, vegetable gardening and so much more. Chigger offers a short recap of their last meal together from The Crazy Pig in Davidson. Find out about the food, the local business ownership, and the construction challenges preventing patrons from visiting downtown Davidson businesses like The Crazy Pig. Don’t miss Chigger’s tribute to the life of his father, Albert Willard, 84, who dedicated himself to serving his God, providing for his family, and achieving a positive impact in the world around him.

This episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show is sponsored by Carolina BBQ Festival which invites you to celebrate barbecue summer 2026 today when you visit a locally owned barbecue business. Find a list of local pitmasters here!

Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!

Kathleen Purvis on BBQ, Food Journalism and Charlotte’s Food Scene

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:11:00 -0400

Charlotte-based food journalist Kathleen Purvis shares her backstory in barbecue and food journalism, reveals opinions about the Charlotte food scene, and introduces The Food Section bureau dedicated to the Queen City. Find out how she got into food journalism and what’s kept her in the business since her start at 17. Hear her favorite places for food and her ideal barbecue platter. Learn more about TFS : CLT and the publication’s ethics-based approach to covering food in the Carolinas. Don’t miss the Kathleen Purvis “Eastern vs. Western” beef with Top Chef’s barbecue episode and her favorite menu items for Memorial Day and the official start to summer (they might surprise you!). After you meet Kathleen Purvis, revisit our conversation with The Food Section Publisher Hanna Raskin in this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show.

This episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show is sponsored by Carolina BBQ Festival. Visit CarolinaBBQFest.org to get connected and keep up with the latest Carolina BBQ Festival events supporting Operation BBQ Relief. Stay tuned for details on the fall Pig Pickin’ coming soon!

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Redwood Smoke Shack Pitmaster Bob Roberts brings Craft ‘Cue to Hampton Roads

Thu, 14 May 2026 08:58:41 -0400

Redwood Smoke Shack pitmaster Bob Roberts shares the story of his barbecue business in Hampton Roads, VA. Don’t miss his ideal Redwood Smoke Shack barbecue tray order! Listen to this episode to learn what sets Redwood apart from other barbecue restaurants, and what you can expect when you visit one of Redwood Smoke Shack’s three locations. Bob talks about educating the public on craft barbecue, introducing future food service workers to the industry, and receiving the news that Redwood Smoke Shack is among the best Texas Barbecue outside of Texas. Find out how much brisket is cooking and how much wood is burning every week in Redwood’s newest Suffolk location. Opened in 2025, it operates as a commissary that smokes meat daily and delivers it to Redwood Smoke Shack in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Tune in for Bob’s favorite bites from the 2026 Carolina BBQ Festival, his early thoughts about creating a similar event for Hampton Roads, and what he’ll do differently at the 2027 festival.

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Bar-B-Q King continues 55-year family BBQ tradition

Thu, 07 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Bar-B-Q King pitmaster Jordan Smith introduces his family barbecue business in Lincolnton, NC. Around the barbecue pit since he was a child, Jordan continues the operation his father-in-law started, and his father joined as a teenager. Find out how Jordan maintains Bar-B-Q King traditions – like the unique counter service – and why that’s an important part of meeting the expectations of a loyal multi-generational following. Beyond the barbecue, Bar-B-Q King’s cheeseburgers, onion rings, and hushpuppies are IYKYK top-sellers. Jordan reveals just how many burgers are hand-patted and onions are cut at Bar-B-Q King every week. Find out how Jordan and Bar-B-Q King got involved with Top Chef Carolinas’ “barbecue episode.” Don’t miss his recap of the Carolina BBQ Festival “Queen City Smoke” experience.

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Meet Swig and Swine Smokeman Anthony DiBernardo

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Swig & Swine Barbecue Founder Anthony DiBernardo shares the story of his South Carolina restaurant, from sleeping on a cot set up by a smoker in 2014 to six locations across the Palmetto State today. The Holy Smokes Founder also explains how he aligned fellow Charleston business, Home Team Barbecue and Aaron Siegel, to create the annual charitable event that provides a visible impact for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston and Hogs for the Cause. Don’t miss Anthony’s plans for a meat-and-three tribute to his late son. Listen now, and you’ll also get his review of the Carolina BBQ Festival and find out which N.C. pitmaster he’d like to add to the Holy Smokes lineup.

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Carolina BBQ Festival Recap: 2026 Best BBQ Bites

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:10:58 -0400

Pork belly burnt ends, pulled pork from whole hogs and shoulders, ribs, brisket fried rice, sausages and … redfish!? The Low & Slow Barbecue Show’s Carolina BBQ Festival recap offers a review of the event and all the best bites. Find out how the Queen City Smoke and Barbecue Festival Saturday both evolved and continue to grow. We’ll guide you through the “Cool Corner” in the shade into the hot corner with the TMG Pits gang and more than two dozen bites scattered between the two and uptown Charlotte’s Victoria Yards. Get Chigger’s advice for finding pre-show meat smoking activity and learn how to effectively manage your way through a nearly bottomless barbecue menu in 90-degree heat.

This episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show is sponsored by Carolina Barbecue Festival which sends a big thank you to sponsor partners, pitmasters and everyone who attended the event supporting Operation BBQ Relief while celebrating a diverse blend of barbecue flavors that make up Charlotte and the Carolinas. Stay tuned for details about the upcoming Fall Pig Pickin’ and our 2027 barbecue festival coming soon.

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Meet Live Fire Legend Jack Arnold host for the 2026 Carolina BBQ Festival.

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Live fire legend Jack Arnold is bringing his unique high-energy barbecue experience to the Carolina BBQ Festival and he joins The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to talk about his new Burnt End brand and barbecue backstory. Find out what to expect when you see Jack Arnold on the Black Out BBQ Tour in 2026 and get his advice for firing up the smoker after winter break. Listen to learn how Jack connected with Carolina BBQ Festival to support Operation BBQ Relief. Don’t miss Jack Arnold’s perfect barbecue plate and get the details on how you can connect with the Carolina BBQ Festival and across the U.S.

This episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show is sponsored by Carolina Barbecue Festival, April 17-18 at Victoria Yards in Charlotte. 30+ pitmasters from the Carolinas and beyond celebrate the traditions of whole hog barbecue while supporting Operation BBQ Relief. Reserve your tickets today for the Kickoff, the Festival, or a full weekend of barbecue.

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Jon G’s Barbecue with Pitmaster Garren Kirkman

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Garren Kirkman takes the Low & Slow Barbecue Show back to Peachland with a talk about what’s happening at Jon G’s Barbecue. Garren runs through the proteins and sides on the menu and how breakfast fits into the Barbecue Saturday schedule. Hear why part of the Jon G’s business plan remains true to its brewery pop-up roots, and how catering supports the full-time employees who stay busy beyond the one-day weekend barbecue party. How are food prices affecting Jon G’s? Garren talks about responding to marketplace changes and offers advice for BBQ food truck owners moving to brick-and-mortar. Don’t miss his take on the “barbecue beef” over “Best in the South” lists. Listen today to find out who to expect at this year’s Jon G’s Jubilee and what he’s serving for his fifth year at the Carolina BBQ Festival.

Union Barbecue Pitmaster Holden Sasser Pulls Up with Tex-Mex BBQ

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Union Barbecue Pitmaster Holden Sasser gives the backstory on his Charlotte-area food truck and catering business. Find out what kind of barbecue to expect when he pops up at a breweryor event in the region – and how seasonal meat and produce availability promise unique menus at each stop. Holden reveals new things he’s cooking up at Union Barbecue. Plus, he shares his opinion on where food trucks fit into the Charlotte barbecue scene and how that environment has changed since Union Barbecue launched. Learn more about Holden’s restaurant roots and hear him explain why he left another career to enter the industry. Chigger professes his love for Big DEBORAH and don’t miss Holden’s Union Barbecue menu plans for Charlotte BBQ Night on Friday, April 17 at the Carolina BBQ Festival.

This episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show is sponsored by Carolina Barbecue Festival, April 17-18 at Victoria Yards inuptown Charlotte. 30+ pitmasters from the Carolinas and beyond celebrate the traditions of whole hog barbecue while supporting Operation BBQ Relief. Reserve your tickets todayfor the Kickoff, the Festival, and a full weekend of barbecue.

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Operation BBQ Relief Debrief with Co-Founder Stan Hays

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Operation BBQ Relief co-founder and CEO Stan Hays shares an update on the non-profit organization’s efforts to provide hot meals in the wake of disaster and support heroes and their loved ones at Camp OBR. Find out about the next mission Operation BBQ Relief is developing to provide culinary skills for first responders and veterans pursuing careers in their life after service. Stan explains how Operation BBQ Relief took emergency food response across international borders using the same network of volunteers and partners that have provided 13 million meals to 42 U.S. states. Don’t miss Stan’s advice for getting the best barbecue bites at the Carolina BBQ Festival!

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Smoke and Ashe 2026 with Keith Henning from Black Powder Smokehouse

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Black Powder Smokehouse pitmaster Keith Henning reveals the details about the inaugural Smoke and Ashe 2026 in downtown Asheboro – PLUS his BBQ entrée for the Carolina BBQ Festival. Find out how Smoke and Ashe started, what’s on the schedule, and who’s joining the Pitmaster Invitational – like Nick Dampf from Dampf Good BBQ and Claire Calvin from East of Texas. “Big Brisket” takes you inside the Black Powder Smokehouse locations in Jamestown and Asheboro and shares his perspective on the Piedmont BBQ scene. Keith reflects on his fourth year at the Carolina BBQ Festival, what keeps him coming back, and how it has influenced the launch of Smoke & Ashe.

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Go Inside Town Brewing Company with Brandon Stirewalt

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Title: Go Inside Town Brewing Company with Brandon Stirewalt

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Town Brewing Company Director of Operations Brandon Stirewalt sets the stage for Carolina BBQ Festival’s barbecue brunch with a detailed look inside the host site. Hear about the roots of the Charlotte-born brewing company in Wesley Heights and you’ll understand how Town Brewing combines locally sourced North Carolina products and community-minded operations to produce award-winning beer and an unrivalled on-site experience. Get Brandon’s perspective on where Town Brewing Company fits in the larger Charlotte food and beverage scene, and how growing attention on Queen City’s culinary offerings boosts the local beer community. Don’t miss the barbecue order from this eighth-generation North Carolinian and what Brandon Stirewalt hopes to enjoy during the Carolina BBQ Festival barbecue brunch.

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Savor Charlotte, BBQ Brunch and Food in the Queen City with CRVA’s Laura White

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Find out how Savor Charlotte is fanning the flames of the Queen City’s thriving culinary scene that’s drawing food fans from a 400-mile radius. Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority’s Laura White shares the economic impact of Charlotte’s food and beverage industry and highlights how Savor Charlotte’s fourth year is expanding into new arenas. Don’t miss Laura’s take on the “perfect barbecue plate” – including her picks from the Charlotte barbecue scene and beyond. Get the scoop on upcoming Top Chef Carolinas episodes around Charlotte, including the barbecue spotlight coming up in April. Find out how Charlotte measures up against other culinary cities in the South and what sets the region apart.

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Midwood Smokehouse Pitmaster Matt Barry talks BBQ Brunch

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Midwood Smokehouse Pitmaster Matt Barry shares his perspective on Charlotte’s evolving barbecue scene and where Midwood Smokehouse fits in. Get the scoop on what Matt’s cooking up in partnership with Bojangles for the Carolina BBQ Festival’s BBQ Brunch, Brisket and Biscuits at Town Brewing Company in Charlotte. Matt also shares updates on Midwood Smokehouse locations – including a new site at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport – and what it takes to maintain oversight for all of them.

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Leluia Hall Chef Chris Rogienski’s Culinary Journey to BBQ Brunch

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Leluia Hall Chef Chris Rogienski takes you inside the surf & turf restaurant inside a rehabilitated Dilworth church, then walks you along his culinary journey. Learn how his Charlotte restaurant experiences – from Haberdish and Supperland to Leluia Hall - season the selections his team serves to guests. Get Chris Rogienski’s perspective on the Charlotte food scene and where barbecue fits in. Don’t miss the details for his sausage gravy recipe and his opinions on the perfect brunch, as well as the barbecue brunch plans he is cooking up with Mama Jean’s BBQ pitmaster Madison Ruckel.

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The South Carolina BBQ Project with Nathan Spainhour

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

South Carolina BBQ Project creator Nathan Spainhour takes you into the signs, symbols, and stories from the Palmetto State’s barbecue pits. Find out which 4 barbecue businesses he chose to represent South Carolina barbecue traditions. Learn how Nathan turned an MFA thesis focused on brain connections between place and memory into a visual journey through Southern cuisine traditions and barbecue nostalgia. Don’t miss the unique perspective he formed about the state and future of South Carolina’s legacy barbecue businesses as a new generation of SC-based barbecue franchises grows a larger footprint. BONUS: Details from the Greenville Barbecue Map, including the barbecue that made the list, how it was selected, and the barbecue place Nathan takes first-time visitors to the South Carolina community he grew up in.

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Chef Chris Coleman Talks Barbecue, Built on Hospitality and Brunch

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Chef Chris Coleman takes The Low & Slow Barbecue Show into The Goodyear House, the Built on Hospitality group and the evolving Charlotte food scene. Find out where the Charlotte native’s allegiance lies in the East vs. Piedmont N.C. barbecue debate. Get Executive Chef Chris Coleman’s culinary backstory and learn how it motivates a farm-to-fork business model in the group that includes The Goodyear House, Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor, Folia, and Old Town Kitchen and Cocktails. Don’t miss the breaking news about the barbecue brunch entree Chris is planning with Matthew Register for Brisket and Biscuits. The Food Network Champ shares the first reveal for his own backyard cookout event in Savor Charlotte.

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Meet Community Matters Café Chef Chayil Johnson

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Community Matters Café Executive Chef Chayil Johnson shares his story of culinary service that extends beyond the food menu. Learn how he combines his Creole heritage, traditional African foodway influences, Middle Eastern flavor, and a formal education into one-of-a-kind gumbo for Charlotte Rescue Mission’s life skills program.

Chayil explains where Community Matters Café fits into the mission’s 180-day addiction recovery program. Working in New Orleans kitchens at 12 and matriculating to Charlotte’s Johnson & Wales a decade ago, Chayil is earning recognition from the James Beard Foundation, Charlotte media and industry organizations. Hear how he credits his own hard work and a community of family and global influencers that clearly matter in the food he creates.

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Putting American Barbecue on the Map with Joseph Veazey

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

American Barbecue map designer Joseph Veazey compiled barbecue history, people, and places into a one-of-a-kind map that chronicles the evolution of smoked meat traditions in the United States. Find out how Joseph decided which BBQ joints, cities and states to include in the map. Joseph explains his method for researching and crafting his unique map designs. You’ll hear his passion for barbecue and learn what’s coming next in his barbecue map project, including an illustration specifically focused on North Carolina to complement his Georgia barbecue map. EXCLUSIVE: Don’t miss the big reveal of his next project examining certain landmarks in Atlanta. Learn more about Veazey Studio and where you can find Joseph and his artwork out in the world.

This episode is sponsored by Carolina BBQ Festival, April 17-18 at Victoria Yards in Charlotte. 30+ pitmasters from the Carolinas and beyond celebrate the traditions of whole hog barbecue while supporting Operation BBQ Relief. Reserve your tickets today for the Kickoff, the Festival, or a full weekend of barbecue.

Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!

Meet Mama Jean’s BBQ founder Madison Ruckel

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Meet Mama Jean’s BBQ founder Madison Ruckel, who first started live-fire cooking with Home Team BBQ in West Ashley. From that foundation, hear where he assigns credit for his ongoing success (spoiler: the hard work of his wife, Kelli, and some wise business decisions play a big role). Learn what to expect during a visit to his Roanoke, VA, restaurant, which opened last year after 7 years of food truck life in a 1956 Airstream trailer. Get Madison Ruckel’s inside tips for making Mama Jean’s BBQ collards, what it takes to feed the NFL’s Washington Commanders, and how global cooking adventures have influenced his barbecue journey. Don’t miss your chance to sample Madison Ruckel’s barbecue entrée at Carolina BBQ Festival’s Brisket and Biscuits barbecue brunch, March 28.

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Barbecue Brunch! Carolina BBQ Festival’s Brisket & Biscuits

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Barbecue Brunch is on the Carolina BBQ Festival’s Brisket & Biscuits menu at Charlotte’s Town Brewing Company. Hear a quick introduction to the barbecue experts and top Charlotte chefs collaborating for a Savor Charlotte barbecue brunch: Matthew Register (Southern Smoke), Chris Coleman (Built on Hospitality/The Goodyear House), Madison Ruckle (Mama Jeans Barbecue & Soulful Sides), Chris Rogienski (Supperland / Leluia Hall), Jake Wood (Lawrence Barbecue) Chayil Johnson (Community Matters Café), Matthew Barry (Midwood Smokehouse), Lewis Donald (Sweet Lew’s), and Oscar Johnson (Jimmy Pearls Cheasapeake). Get Carolina BBQ Festival’s barbecue brunch details, Carolina barbecue business news, and a few opinions about barbecue wings.

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5 Best BBQ Restaurant Experiences of 2025

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 19:26:58 -0500

Chigger reviews his 5 best barbecue restaurant experiences of 2025 – most of them including a meal and an adventure. Planning a day trip to Charlotte, Lexington, Winston-Salem or Hickory? Maybe you’re seeking a new lunch spot. Listen to learn which barbecue restaurants to hit, and options for orders. This episode share details about trips to Black Powder Smokehouse, Sweet Lew’s BBQ. Lexington Barbecue, Hugh’s Q and Cranford Brothers Barbecue, and suggests other excursions to accompany your BBQ meal. Plus, we reveal the first details about the Carolina BBQ Festival’s spring brunch, Brisket and Biscuits at Town Brewing in Charlotte. Stay tuned for more details on tickets.

This episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show is sponsored by Carolina BBQ Festival, April 17-18 in Charlotte’s Victoria Yards. 2 days, 25+ pitmasters, and the Carolinas’ Best Barbecue bites. Tickets on sale now. Use promo code LOWANDSLOW for $10 off tickets.

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State of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show Union: 2025 in Review

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500

The Low & Slow Barbecue Show ignites its fourth season with the latest Carolina BBQ news and a review of our 2025, the State of the Low & Slow Barbecue Show Union. Listen also hear the details about Blue Suede BBQ’s work to support the ALS patients and the Live Like Lou Foundation. Find out which barbecue businesses are putting out the flame after generations in the smoke. And learn why 2025 was the biggest year yet for The Low & Slow Barbecue Show – at festivals, on podcasts, in the blog, and on YouTube screens.

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Operation BBQ Relief & Hickory Soup Kitchen Partner for Community Turkeys

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Operation BBQ Relief and Hickory Soup Kitchen partner for Thanksgiving to feed 500 families with smoked turkeys donated by the community. Austin Pearce (HSK) and Scott Jarrett (OBR) share the personal motivations that keep the Hickory region’s hunger relief effort going every year. Find out what it means when Operation BBQ Relief, volunteers and community supporters work together to provide a hot meal during times of need. Listen to this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show for the process behind the 3-day cook of 150+ turkeys, including some (not all) of the secrets for using brine and rub to create a perfect, golden turkey. Get all the details for how you can volunteer or donate to support Hickory Soup Kitchen and Operation BBQ Relief disaster recovery and hunger relief missions.

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Vicious Pig Throwdown with Bobby Brinson

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Vicious Pig BBQ Pitmaster Bobby Brinson joins The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to talk about the 5th annual Vicious Pig Throwdown in Steadman, North Carolina. Find out how it started, why it supports the Veterans Golf Association, and what competitors can expect from this Southern BBQ Network event. Get a competition update for the 2025 SBN season and learn what keeps competitive barbecue pitmasters in the game year after year. Don’t miss Vicious Pig BBQ’s barbecue sauce recipe – you might be surprised what it includes! Bobby Brinson also shares his take how the cost of meat is affecting the barbecue competition world – and how the Vicious Pig Throwdown tries to alleviate those costs.

This episode is sponsored by the Southern BBQ Network. To find out more about the SBN, visit the website.

Since 2010, the Southern Barbecue Network has sanctioned barbecue tournaments to further their goal of Preserving a Southern Tradition by providing well-trained judges to contests that are raising money for charitable causes in the Carolinas.

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Ultimate Tailgaters Talk BBQ Sauce and SBN Invitational

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Ultimate Tailgaters BBQ pitmaster Chris Fulmer pulls back the curtain on barbecue sauce with tips from the competition circuit. Get the details and find out about the Ultimate Tailgaters competition barbecue team that is a regular contender for the Southern BBQ Network Invitational – and a four-time SBN Cook Team of the Year. Get an inside look at the annual invitational barbecue showdown to benefit Monck’s Corner Lions Club. Event coordinator and founder Don Saturday shares the history and the 2-day competition schedule, including the People’s Choice Awards on Friday night.

This episode is sponsored by the Southern BBQ Network. To find out more about the SBN, visit the website.

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SAL BBQ Cook-off Welcomes Changes in 2025

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Sons of American Legion Squadron 147 is bringing changes for the 19th Annual Pro-Am BBQ Festival. Get the details on how this year’s competition will work. Learn how additions aim to create a more family-friendly environment and promise to provide more competition quality barbecue to event-goers. Festival Organizers Chris Nisoff and Al Simmons talk about changes to the festival and how Southern BBQ Network is involved. Like all SBN events, the SAL BBQ Cook-off supports a local non-profit. We share how this event supports the Lowcountry Veterans Home. Find out about the SAL BBQ Cook-off and then join the fun in Charleston on Oct. 24 and 25.

This episode is sponsored by the Southern BBQ Network. To find out more about the SBBQN, visit their website here!

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Planning a 2025 Fall BBQ Festival Road Trip

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Join Chigger Willard on the 2025 Fall BBQ Festival road trip to Squealin on the Square and Hogs & Hens in South Carolina, then the Carolina BBQ Festival’s Pig Pickin’ in Charlotte. Listen to find out about other Old 96 District stops on the itinerary, like Hickory Knob State Resort Park. Get the details for fall BBQ festivals coming to the Carolinas in October and November, including Lexington Barbecue Festival, the SAL American Legion BBQ Cook-off, and Holy Smokes BBQ festival in Charleston. This episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show recaps some of the top news around the Carolinas: Smithfield Cup Results, praises for Lawrence Barbecue and JD’s Smokehouse, and a BBQ editor back-and-forth. Listen today for The Lowdown!

This episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show is sponsored by the Old 96 District, home of outdoor adventure, history, and thriving small town communities in South Carolina’s Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens and McCormick counties. Learn more at visitold96.com.

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Discover Old 96 District & South Carolina’s Unexpected BBQ Wonders

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Get ready for a trip to South Carolina’s Old 96 District and a handful of barbecue festivals that bring thousands to towns in the 5-county region every year. In this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show, host Chigger Willard interviews Kimberly Snyder Griggs, Marketing Director for Old 96 District Tourism, about one of state’s biggest barbecue weekends, Oct. 17-18 for Squealin’ on the Square in Laurens and Hogs & Hens in Abbeville. From mustard-based sauce debates to Revolutionary War history, Kimberly shares why the Old 96 District isn’t just about incredible barbecue—it’s about unexpected wonders, historic charm, and true Southern hospitality. Whether you’re a festival regular or planning your first visit, this episode will help you savor everything the Old 96 District has to offer, including the SC Festival of Discovery that brings Blues and BBQ to Greenwood every year. Don’t miss Kimberly’s advice for finding the best BBQ hash in the district.

Squealin’ on the Square & Main Street Laurens, SC

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Squealin’ on the Square celebrates 25 years in downtown Laurens, SC, with a people’s choice barbecue competition, pickle eating contest, live music, and small-town charm. Main Street Laurens Executive Director Brad Abercrombie shares the history of the festival and what 20,000 people will experience Oct. 17-18. Listen insight on where Laurens falls in the South Carolina barbecue divide and whether vinegar or mustard will win this year’s barbecue trophy and cash prize. Don’t miss Brad’s advice for the hog calling competition at Squealin’ on the Square 2025.

This episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show is sponsored by the Old 96 District, home of outdoor adventure, history and thriving small town communities in South Carolina’s Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens and McCormick counties. Learn more at visitold96.com.

Hogs and Hens BBQ Festival Coming to Abbeville

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Hogs and Hens BBQ Festival is coming to Abbeville, SC, on Oct. 17-18 and festival organizer Emily Bledsoe reveals the details on the vendors, the music, the kids zone – and of course the barbecue! Learn more about Abbeville, how this free event started in the city’s one-of-a-kind downtown and why Hogs and Hens BBQ Festival is built on barbecue and community in the South Carolina’s upstate. Get details on the Southern BBQ Network-sanctioned barbecue competition and find out which area non-profit will benefit from this year’s festival proceeds. Then be sure to join us for Hogs and Hens in Abbeville, Oct. 17-18.

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Foothills Digest Editor Carmen Eckard on N.C. Food Traditions

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Foothills Digest Editor-in-Chief Carmen Eckard discusses the “Skillets & Cellars” edition that includes stories, flavors and traditions of the foothills and Blue Ridge. Get the Foothills Digest perspective on the role of food and food festivals in the North Carolina Foothills, and how barbecue fits into the region. How does barbecue in the foothills compare to what you’ll find in other parts of the state? Carmen shares her opinion, as well as the story behind Foothills Digest, the publication’s purpose and what it offers readers spread across the nation. Listen and find out where you can pick up hard copies of the quarterly publication and how you can find it online. Don’t miss the latest edition of Foothills Digest for a feature story on The Low & Slow Barbecue Show.

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This episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show is sponsored by the Old 96 District, home of outdoor adventure, history and thriving small town communities in South Carolina’s Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens and McCormick counties. Learn more at visitold96.com.

7 Best BBQ Servings of Summer 2025

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 12:00:00 -0400

The 7 best BBQ servings of Summer 2025 from host Chigger Willard’s restaurant & festival adventures. Find out which Pinehurst Barbecue Festival servings are part of BBQ best list. Learn where you can find the other best bites or how to make your own barbecue lollipops with Chigger’s recipe. Don’t miss the dessert recommendations! Get the latest Carolina barbecue news updates and details for new barbecue businesses. Listen to this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show for the September-October events schedule with barbecue festivals, barbecue fundraisers and barbecue competitions.

Make sure to get the best BBQ news served to your email inbox – subscribe here.

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Pinehurst Barbecue Festival Impact in the Sandhills

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 12:00:00 -0400

What’s the economic impact of the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival in the Sandhills and Moore County, NC? And how did the barbecue event become such a big part of the calendar in a place known for golf? We talk to festival founder Dave Droschak about its inspiration and how its influence has evolved in Pinehurst. President and CEO of the Pinehurst-Aberdeen-Southern Pines Area CVB Phil Welz reveals the business and financial benefits of the barbecue festival in the region. Find out how Pinehurst Barbecue Festival has become a draw for food – and golf – enthusiasts from across the state. Listen to this episode and learn what’s in store for the future of Pinehurst Barbecue Festival and look ahead to Tarheel Festivals’ next food event The Smithfield Cup.

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Ashley Christensen Reveals Poole’s Diner Updates & Pinehurst Barbecue Festival Entree

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Ashley Christensen shares the latest updates on renovations and reopening at Poole’s Restaurant and reveals that her Pinehurst Barbecue Festival entrée is more than just shrimp and grits. Find out how the Ashley Christensen Restaurants group is homing in on the things it does best, and where each venue fits into the evolving Raleigh restaurant scene. Listen to this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to hear Ashley explain the spark that started her love for cooking and how a trip to Uruguay ignited a focus on live fire cooking.

This episode sponsored by Pinehurst Barbecue Festival 2025 coming Labor Day Weekend Aug. 29-31, in the Village of Pinehurst. 3 days, 5 signature events, concluding with 7 N.C. pitmasters serving meats & sides in the Christopher Prieto Pitmaster Invitational. Buy tickets online today and enter the giveaway for a LIFETIME PASS.

Barbecue Reimagined at Pinehurst Barbecue Festival

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Barbecue Reimagined brings Pinehurst Barbecue Festival an alternative taste of traditional ingredients and cooking methods from North Carolina’s top chefs. Chad Blackwelder from N.C Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services shares an inside look at the event’s roots and what barbecue enthusiasts can expect when the visit BHAWK Distillery. Find out what’s on the Barbecue Reimagined menu and how it spotlights the Got to Be NC program and the N.C. producers who provide ingredients for food and beverages found in businesses and homes across the nation. Don’t miss Chad’s scoop on his favorite restaurants in the Pinehurst area, as well as the upcoming events in the Got to Be NC calendar.

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Southern Smoke’s Matthew Register on BBQ Festivals, Football and Fishing

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Catch up with Southern Smoke BBQ Pitmaster Matthew Register during a busy barbecue festival season to find out coming soon for his business and the “Garland Metroplex” in Eastern North Carolina. Find out how Southern Smoke is combining barbecue with high school football to turn attention to a critical role player for Friday Night Football in the fall. Is there another cookbook coming? Chef Coach Daddy Matt talks about the how-to recipe video projects he’s working on and whether they’re replacing cookbooks. Listen to hear how he’s applied the “Southern Smoke” touch to the menu for Pinehurst Barbecue Festival and the Christopher Prieto Invitational.

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Master Blend Family Farms Evolves & Reveals Pinehurst Plans

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:00:00 -0400

If you’re heading to the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival, get ready to experience why Master Blend Family Farms is one of the most talked‑about names in North Carolina barbecue. Pitmaster and president Ronald “Mr. 365” Simmons returns to The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to talk about how his business is evolving into weekly food truck operations. Revisit the roots of Master Blend Family Farms and find out how the company is supplying top restaurants, selling premium pork online, and introducing more people to the brand. Find out how Ron got involved with the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival and how his North Carolina produced pork will be involved in this year’s event.

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Old Colony Smokehouse Pitmaster Adam Hughes Reveals Barbecue Roots & Sausage Advice

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Old Colony Smokehouse Pitmaster Adam Hughes reveals the barbecue experience at his Edenton, NC, business. Find out how he evolved from barbecue competitions to the restaurant business, and how his current menu items compare with the world championship barbecue bites he produced for judges. Learn about the Old Colony Smokehouse sauces and what differentiates Old Colony Smokehouse from other Carolina barbecue options. Adam Hughes shares how he’s applying three generations of family hog farming and butchery into his modern-day Southern Culinary Revival. Don’t miss the Old Colony Smokehouse pitmaster’s advice for making great sausage – just like his grandmother did. Listen and get the details on Adam Hughes’ menu item for the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival and what he enjoys about participating in the annual event.

This episode sponsored by Pinehurst Barbecue Festival 2025 coming Labor Day Weekend Aug. 29-31 in the Village of Pinehurst. 3 days, 5 signature events, concluding with 7 N.C. pitmasters serving meats & sides in the Christopher Prieto Pitmaster Invitational. Buy tickets online today and enter the giveaway for a LIFETIME PASS.

Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!

Christopher Prieto on Prime BBQ, Prime STQ, and Pinehurst Barbecue Festival

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Christopher Prieto shares the latest news from Prime STQ, his new steak and barbecue concept slated to launch by early 2026. Find out about his plans for the menu, the progress on the project at Boxyard RTP, and what will differentiate Prime STQ from his other ventures. Listen to this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show, and you’ll also hear Christopher Prieto describe the experience at Prime Barbecue and the roots behind his restaurant in Knightdale. Find out how his faith and family set a firm foundation for a non-stop approach to barbecue that keeps him opening the door at the shop and shaking hands with barbecue lovers every day. Don’t miss his motivation for joining the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival, the strategy for the Christopher Prieto Pitmaster Invitational and his overview of the Q School Grilling Class. Also in this episode: Christopher Prieto’s overlooked tip for the backyard pitmaster.

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Pinehurst Barbecue Festival 2025 Behind the Scenes

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Pinehurst Barbecue Festival 2025 features 3 days of events and the Christopher Prieto Pitmaster Invitational and has quickly become one of the Carolinas’ premier barbecue events. Andrew Stilwell gives us a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s barbecue festival event Aug. 29-31, the participating pitmasters, the diverse menus of food options, and a chance to win a lifetime ticket to the festival. Get the history of the festival, how it started in the Village of Pinehurst, and breaking news about the second-annual Smithfield Cup between North Carolina and South Carolina pitmasters. Listen to this episode for the details on Pinehurst Barbecue Festival 2025 and where you can get tickets for the one-of-a-kind festival over Labor Day Weekend.

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Dampf Good BBQ, Brisket Tips & BBQ Business with Nick Dampf

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Dampf Good BBQ Founder Nick Dampf went from being a brisket first-timer with a backyard smoker to North Carolina’s best brisket bite according to Texas Monthly. He shares the Dampf Good BBQ story and his tips to help you cook the best brisket in your own backyard. Don’t miss the news from Dampf Good BBQ about an expansion in the business (and the Dampf family). Listen to this episode of The Low and Slow Barbecue Show and get the scoop on the plans for a 3,000-square-foot brick-and-mortar coming soon. Find out how Dampf Good BBQ is different from other Texas barbecue in North Carolina and the faith that keeps Nick Dampf’s fire burning.

This episode is brought to you by our friends at the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival. Learn more about the festival here!

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Meet Golden Rule BBQ, the Nation’s Oldest BBQ Joint

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Golden Rule BBQ is America’s oldest, longest-running barbecue restaurant with a history dating back to 1891. In this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show we learn the story of Golden Rule and its 135-year-old tradition of pork barbecue sandwiches. Golden Rule’s Daniel Harp takes us through the bankruptcy that nearly ended the storied barbecue business, how new owners rescued the famous brand, and what is on the horizon for the future. Listen and discover what you can expect from a visit to Golden Rule BBQ and what sets this business in Irondale, Alabama apart from the rest of the barbecue in the region – and the U.S.

This episode is brought to you by our friends at the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival. Learn more about the festival here!

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Food Writer Andre James & Mount Rushmore of BBQ

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 12:00:00 -0400

What are the four main styles of barbecue? Food writer Andre James shares his Mount Rushmore of BBQ, as well as his favorite stops for barbecue in Chattanooga, Myrtle Beach, and his hometown of Southport, N.C. Find out how Andre James turned time spent in the food and beverage industry into a career in food journalism and how his adventure has combined travel with journalism to highlight the best bites around the South. Read more of Andre’s opinions on the BBQ Mount Rushmore here, and don’t miss his 10 top BBQ Joints in Chattanooga reporting here.

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Barbecue News from the Carolinas | Summer 2025

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Barbecue news updates around the Carolinas in Summer 2025 include updates on a James Beard Award Finalist, 2025 North Carolina BBQ Hall of Fame Inductees, Operation BBQ Relief Volunteer Awards, State Whole Hog Championships, and the South Carolina Connection to SmokeSlam 2025. Listen to this episode for the Summer 2025 barbecue news recap from The Lowdown, our weekly barbecue newsletter. You’ll find out about upcoming barbecue events, barbecue business news, and the food trucks we’re following around the Carolinas. Have news, events, or barbecue food truck schedules to share? Email the Lowdown at lowandslowbarbecueshow@gmail.com

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Whole Hog N.C. State Champion Showtime’s Legit BBQ Pitmaster Kevin Peterson

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:00:00 -0400

N.C. Whole Hog State Champion Kevin Peterson joins the Low & Slow Barbecue Show to reveal tips for preparing the best whole hog barbecue. The pitmaster behind Showtime’s Legit BBQ details his whole hog process from start to finish and shares insights into his husband-and-wife barbecue team. Get the backstory on Showtime’s Legit BBQ and its success and find out how Kevin Peterson started smoking barbecue low and slow in Eastern North Carolina.

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Carolina BBQ Festival 2026: What’s coming in YEAR 5? Sweet Lew’s BBQ & Let’s Meet CLT

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Carolina BBQ Festival 2026 marks its fifth anniversary, and organizers from Sweet Lew’s BBQ and Let’s Meet CLT reveal what’s working, what’s not, and what folks can expect for April 17-18, 2026. Find out how festival events throughout the year are bringing a greater spotlight to Charlotte, the Carolina barbecue scene, and small businesses throughout the region. Lewis “Sweet Lew” Donald and Erin Hunter from Let’s Meet CLT talk about how they started the Carolina BBQ Festival and why BBQ for a Cause is motivating bigger and better things every year. Don’t miss Sweet Lew’s wish list for future barbecue menu items and festival events. You’ll also hear perspectives on the food and events scene in Charlotte and how barbecue fits in.

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Rusty’s Bar-B-Q Founder Reveals Roots, Summer BBQ Tips

Thu, 29 May 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Rusty’s Bar-B-Q Founder Rusty Tucker opens the doors of his Alabama barbecue restaurant and shares the story of his smoked meat upbringing. Find out the important role family traditions play in his career, from childhood pitmaster to formal culinary training. Learn which Rusty’s Bar-B-Q sauces and menu items are the most popular and how an untraditional order is a measuring stick for the best Alabama barbecue joints. Who’s spending the most time on the pits at Rusty’s Bar-B-Q? Rusty reveals the answer. Don’t miss Rusty’s summer tips for taking your barbecue on the road or delivering desserts that will please the masses. Listen to the podcast here and learn more about Rusty’s Bar-B-Q at the website.

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Brains behind Bubbles and Brisket: Max Trujillo NC F&B Podcast

Thu, 22 May 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Bubbles & Brisket’s Max Trujillo shares the roots of the annual North Carolina food and beverage event and the NC F&B Podcast. Get the festival details about North Carolina pitmasters and North Carolina beverage producers and hear why bubbles and brisket go so well together. Find out how industry experience led Max to launch other media platforms. Don’t miss Max Trujillo’s perspective on the best North Carolina city for food. Listen to learn his favorite places in the state for barbecue. Be sure to visit the NC F&B Podcast’s episodes library here.

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What is the Alabama Barbecue Chase? Founder Ricky Harmon

Thu, 15 May 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Alabama Barbecue Chase Founder Ricky Harmon shares the story of his campaign to celebrate barbecue across the state of Alabama. Find out his favorite stops among the 75+ he’s visited. What Alabama city has the best barbecue? Alabama’s Barbecue Chaser shares his answer and explains his approach for restaurant reviews – and where he awards bonus points. If you are planning a trip to Sweet Home Alabama, here’s your guide!

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Wright’s BBQ Founder Jordan Wright talks Arkansas Barbecue

Thu, 08 May 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Wright’s BBQ Founder Jordan Wright shares his Arkansas barbecue journey that has grown from 1 food truck to 4 locations across northwest Arkansas, Little Rock, and University of Arkansas sports venues. Find out how Wright’s Barbecue got started, how COVID boosted his business, and what lies on the horizon. Jordan Wright also reveals the Wright’s BBQ style, what people will experience in the restaurants, and what keeps his fire burning after eight years in business. Listen today for the story of a backyard pitmaster who has become an Arkansas barbecue legend selling the Best Barbecue in the United States.

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Spring Break Barbecue Road Trip: The Alabama Barbecue Tour

Thu, 01 May 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Spring Break spurs a road trip to Chigger’s native homeland and a bunch of Alabama barbecue stops along the way. Get the scoop on Byron’s Smokehouse, Hook’s BBQ in Andalusia, Miss Myra’s in Cahaba Heights, and Rusty’s Bar-B-Q in Leeds. There’s also stops at Buc-ees, Big Bad Breakfast, and Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. Get the barbecue reviews and analysis about these popular Alabama barbecue stops, as well as a resource for your own original Alabama Barbecue Tour.

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Goat Fest with the Kitchen Goat and Blue Suede BBQ

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Goat Fest Founder Jason Knapp reveals how he became the Kitchen Goat and why he launched his own charitable culinary events through Kitchen Goat Feeds. Blue Suede BBQ’s founder and pitmaster joins talks about his People’s Choice Award during the 2024 Goat Fest BBQ contest and chili cook-off. He also shares an update on how the Blue Suede BBQ business is expanding into competition, catering, and food truck operations. Listen to this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show and find out about Goat Fest 2025, a Southern BBQ Network-sanctioned barbecue event coming up May 2-3 in Nashville, NC.

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This episode is sponsored by the Southern BBQ Network. To find out more about the SBBQN, visit their website here!

Pork in the Park Festival & Competition | Podcast

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Pork in the Park Festival pitmasters and competitors descend on Newberry, S.C. on April 25-26, for food, live music, and free fun for the entire family. The Low & Slow Barbecue Show explores the 10-year-old festival with organizer Devan Moore, who shares details about the free Friday night concert, barbecue & beverages for public consumption, and a day of competition sanctioned by Southern Barbecue Network. Tune in to hear about the barbecue journey of pitmaster, barbecue competitor, and founder of the Smokin’ Butts and More food truck. Find out which protein is a priority, how he turned a hobby into a full-time job in his retirement, and his ingredients (pain reliever!) for a successful event. Joel doesn’t reveal any secrets, but he does let slip the scoop on where you can find his one-of-a-kind sauce.

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This episode is sponsored by the Southern BBQ Network. To find out more about the SBBQN, visit their website here!

Shrop Fest and Tim Shropshire Comedy

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Comedian Tim Shropshire reveals his North Carlina roots and his favorite barbecue experiences. Find out about Shrop Fest 2025, a wing and rib competition that prioritizes what tastes good over what a certified BBQ judge might think. Shrop even names the North Carolina barbecue business with better brisket than Texas Monthly’s No. 1 barbecue in Texas. Listen today to find out what Tim Shrop Comedy is cooking up next in his hilarious and wholesome social media platform.

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Master Blend Family Farms’ Ron Simmons Returns for Carolina BBQ Fest

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Ron’s Back! Mr. All Gas, No Breaks 365 shares the latest news from Master Blend Family Farms, including his visit with NASCAR’s Ross Chastain, and recognition from N.C. Governor Josh Stein, exploring new markets in California, and adventures across North Carolina promoting the state’s agriculture. Listen to find out what Ron and Master Blend Family Farms are bringing to the Carolina BBQ Festival April 4-5, and why he returns to the event year after year. Bonus: We answer the question on everyone’s mind – does Ronald Simmons ever sleep?

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This episode was made possible by our sponsor Cranford Brothers BBQ in Hickory, NC! Have you been to Cranford Brothers Barbecue yet? Every day Cranford Brothers Barbecue serves the best smoked meats, sides, sandwiches, and craft beer – all produced on-site in downtown Hickory, North Carolina. Visit Cranford Brothers Barbecue today for lunch or dinner and find out everything that’s happening at the historic Old Pawn Shop - the home of Cranford Brothers Barbecue, City Walk Brewing Company, and the great new breakfast spot, Main Chick Jammin Biscuits. Be sure to call Cranford Brothers Barbecue to cater your next gameday get-together or special event. Your guests will always remember the best barbecue bites they get from Cranford Brothers Barbecue. Visit CranfordBros.com to learn more or plan your visit today.

BBQ Friend Joey DiApice Takes You Behind the Scenes

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0400

BBQ Friend Joey DiApice joins The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to give you a glimpse behind the camera of his mouth-watering food recipes and videos. Find out how he got his start and the process that’s involved with his nightly food prep videos that are guaranteed to make you hungry! Our BBQ Friend shares the scoop on how he got connected with the Carolina BBQ Festival in Charlotte, where you can find him on the Internet, and what he’s cooking for the future. Don’t miss the BBQ Friend’s responses in the Low & Slow Showdown.

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Operation BBQ Relief Pitmaster Scott Jarrett Delivers BBQ Relief

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Operation BBQ Relief Pitmaster and N.C. Area Coordinator Scott Jarrett reveals his barbecue roots, how he got involved with Operation BBQ Relief, and why he keeps volunteering after 12 million barbecue meals served. Find out how to get involved as an Operation BBQ Relief volunteer, learn how to support the organization during the Carolina BBQ Festival and through the website, and hear Scott’s perspective on providing relief after Hurricane Helene and California fires.

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Elliott Moss Unveils New Barbecue Project: Elliott’s in Florence

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0400

On the cusp of officially launching his latest barbecue project, Elliott Moss joins The Low & Slow Barbecue show to talk about Elliott’s in Florence. Listen to the interview for the backstory on the building and the Moss family’s long-time connection to Pee Dee region – and whole hog barbecue. Find out about the menu, the smokehouse, and plans for spectator tours on barbecue Saturday! With a record shop, an arcade, and a brewery all part of this BBQ joint, Elliott’s in Florence is a one-of-a-kind attraction conveniently close to I-95. Elliott shares a bit of his meat-smoking history and what keeps him coming back to the fire through life’s ups and downs. Hear the story from the pitmaster, then meet him at the Carolina BBQ Festival, April 4-5.

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County Smoak’s Ken Hess Defends Virginia Barbecue

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0500

County Smoak Pitmaster Ken Hess returns to The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to defend Virginia as “first” in barbecue. Get the latest from Lynchburg, Virginia, where Ken and Jessica Hess are smoking meat low and slow in the Virginia tradition, while introducing their own unique flair to the flavors that fill the menu – like the brisket pastrami, a forever favorite at the Carolina BBQ Festival. Don’t miss Ken’s advice for smoking, resting, and preserving the perfect brisket. Meet the County Smoak team during the Carolina BBQ Festival on April 4-5.

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Eric Pickle Brings Smoked Pickle Barbecue to Carolina

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Smoked Pickle Barbecue Pitmaster and Founder Eric Pickle shares the story of his Knoxville-based food truck that is rapidly expanding into a Tennessee barbecue favorite. Find out how Smoked Pickled Barbecue started, where you can enjoy it, and who turns to Eric Pickle when it is time to feed the orange-clad gladiators on game day. How is Smoked Pickle Barbecue different than Carolina barbecue? Listen to the podcast for the pitmaster’s explanation. Eric also shares how and why he joined Hurricane Helene relief efforts in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. Meet Smoked Pickle Barbecue on The Low & Slow Barbecue Show, and don’t miss your chance to sample Eric Pickle’s barbecue bits at the Carolina BBQ Festival April 4-5.

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Southern Smoke BBQ’s Matthew Register Walks You Down Warren Street

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Matthew Register takes us 94 and ½ feet down Warren Street for the latest news from Southern Smoke BBQ and South Catering of N.C. Find out what’s on the horizon for the business, get a glimpse into the Southern Smoke roots, and learn more about what motivates Matthew Register to keep pouring barbecue love into his Eastern North Carolina community. Listen today to discover which barbecue bite Matthew and Southern Smoke BBQ will bring to the Carolina BBQ Festival in Charlotte – and why they made the unique selection! Don’t miss your chance to meet the pitmaster in our podcast – then taste his special entrée at this year’s festival April 4-5 in Victoria Yards!

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Sam Jones BBQ’s Michael Letchworth Shares His Carolina BBQ Journey

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Sam Jones BBQ’s pitmaster and business leader Michael Letchworth shares the story of his barbecue journey. From an early start working the pits at Skylight Inn to his current role leading the Sam Jones BBQ business alongside Sam, who carries on the Carolina barbecue legacy started by his grandfather Pete Jones. Don’t miss Michael’s perspective on a life spent in the barbecue business and what motivates him away from the pits. Listen to find out what the Sam Jones BBQ team will bring to the Carolina BBQ Festival in Charlotte (spoiler alert: it is exactly what you expect.)

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Ben’s Backdraft Barbecue Joins Carolina BBQ Festival

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Ben’s Backdraft Barbecue reveals big news about his first brick-and-mortar location and his first time participating in the Carolina BBQ Festival for the first time April 4-5, at Victoria Yards in Charlotte. Find out details about this year’s BBQ Festival and why you want to attend. Listen to learn more about how Ben’s Backdraft Barbecue continues to serve western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene, while expanding his own business opportunities.

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2025 Carolina BBQ Festival Pitmasters – REVEALED!

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0500

The Low & Slow Barbecue Show reveals the Carolina BBQ Festival Pitmasters for 2025. Listen today and find out who will serve their best barbecue bites at the festival April 4-5. Get a hint of what they’ve brought in the past. Lexington Barbecue’s Nathan Monk, City Limits BBQ’s Robbie Robinson, Southern Smoke’s Matthew Register, and Bryan Furman lead the line-up. Get festival details and where you can buy tickets. Be sure to visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to hear the pitmasters share their stories in their own words.

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Hickory Barbecue Battle with 3 Beers Down

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Hickory Barbecue is in the spotlight as The Low & Slow Barbecue Show welcomes the beer aficionados from 3 Beers Down for the first-ever Hickory Holiday Meat Crawl! We taste and rate pulled pork from 6 Hickory barbecue restaurants that top the list for the “best” according to Hickory Metro social media channels and keyboard warriors. And choosing a winner is no easy task for the judges sampling smoked meat from Anywhere’z Fine, JD’s Smokehouse, Hugh’s Q, Cranford Brothers, The BBQ Pit, and Apple City BBQ. Listen for the food reviews and the decisions on which Hickory barbecue reigns supreme – at least when it comes to pulled pork. Don’t miss the winter beer recommendations from 3 Beers Down, especially the Cold Mountain 2024 release from Highland Brewing Company. From favorite holiday foods to the things we skip at the dinner table, this episode pairs perfectly with your holiday festivities.

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1976 Barbecue Pitmaster Gus the Butcher Talks Turkey

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0500

1976 Barbecue Pitmaster Gus the Butcher shares his tips for turkey just in time for Thanksgiving … or Christmas! Listen to the Thanksgiving Day episode of the Low & Slow Barbecue show to hear a few favorite traditions and memories from host Chigger Willard and Gus the Butcher, who also shares advice for future meals of smoked meat. Find out why Gus the Butcher started 1976 Barbecue, where he serves, and how you can bring his great barbecue to your home or business. What does it take to be a master charcutier? Gus knows. Don’t miss the details about the 1976 Barbecue traveling live fire smoking rig.

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Prime STQ Revealed, Hugh’s Q Review & Operation Turkey Smoke

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0500

The calendar year is winding down, but there’s still big barbecue news and events happening around the Carolinas. In this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show we hit a few highlights, including Prime BBQ pitmaster Chris Prieto’s new venture in Durham. We talk about some of our favorite barbecue places in the media spotlight and celebrate the effort by Hickory Soup Kitchen and Operation BBQ Relief to feed more than 200 families in Hickory, NC. And with a big new barbecue business in town – we talk a little bit about Jim N’ Nick’s, but we visited a local favorite and share the review of Hugh’s Q.

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Carolina BBQ Festival News, World Food Champions & Collard Chowder Recipe

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0500

The Carolina climate is getting cooler but things are heating up for the Carolina BBQ Festival in 2025. The Low & Slow Barbecue Show is serving the details as well as an update on a new barbecue business in Hickory and Hurricane Helene Relief efforts. Find out about a great fall recipe for collard green chowder from Southern Smoke BBQ Pitmaster Matthew Register. Don’t miss the listener shout-out and reader mail!

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Little Pig’s Barbecue, Cranford Brothers & Barbecue Landmarks Rebound

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Barbecue reviews are on the menu as well as some of the top news stories on the barbecue beat. Low & Slow Barbecue Show Host Chigger Willard reviews recent visits to Little Pig’s Barbecue in Newton, N.C., and Cranford Brothers Barbecue in Hickory. Listen to find out about the big event Cranford is hosting to benefit N.C. hospitality industry workers affected by Hurricane Helene. Get the latest update on devastating fires at historic barbecue joints as well as the upcoming barbecue events that need to be on your radar.

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Ben’s Backdraft BBQ Serves WNC After Hurricane Helene

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Ben’s Backdraft BBQ Pitmaster Ben Hooper returns to The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to share his story about Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. As a member of the fire service, Ben tells of days spent working swift water rescues and evacuations while wondering about the safety of his own family and his barbecue business.

Follow Ben’s journey after the storm when he went from serving as a first responder to working as a pitmaster feeding families, utility linemen, hospital workers, and other first responders, largely thanks to his own generosity and that of others in the barbecue community. Don’t miss this conversation that promises to give renewed hope in humanity through the stories of neighbors helping neighbors continue to survive.

Listen to find out how you can support Ben’s Backdraft BBQ, find him at barbecue festivals in WNC towns begging for tourists, or learn which charities he believes are doing the most good in North Carolina. Venmo financial support to @Ben-Hooper-0.

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SBN Invitational & Kids Que Competition

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Southern BBQ Network hosts the annual SBN Invitational – the “World Series” of Carolina Barbecue - Nov. 1-2, 2024 in Moncks Corner. Southern BBQ Network President Bill Englehaupt joins The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to share details about the SBN Invitational and the Kids Que competition that brings all the best barbecue pitmasters – young and old! – together to compete. Find out who’s expected to attend this year’s SBN Invitational, how competitors are judged, and when spectators can get a taste of the best barbecue on the Southern BBQ Network circuit.

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This episode is sponsored by the Southern BBQ Network. To find out more about the SBBQN, visit their website here!

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Smithfield Cup Results & Carolina Pitmasters Help WNC

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

In the world of Carolina Barbecue, which state reigns supreme – North Carolina or South Carolina? We find out with the results from the first-ever Smithfield Cup and salute some other top pitmasters who are catching the attention of national media. More importantly, we spotlight how the barbecue community is providing critical food service to North Carolina residents affected by Hurricane Helene. Listen to learn how you can help Operation BBQ Relief – and get the Low & Slow Barbecue Show recipe for jalapeno poppers.

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Bo’s Battle Que at Gardner-Webb

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Gardner-Webb University is fanning the flames of barbecue competition for homecoming Oct. 18-19, and the Low & Slow Barbecue Show is getting all the details on the second annual Bo’s Battle Que. Gardner-Webb Director of Alumni Relations Leah Clevenger and Southern BBQ Network Events Coordinator Karen Cowell share all the details about this year’s competition. Find out how the Battle Que got started, who is involved, and how spectators can get a taste of the action. Listen to find out how SBN helps elevate the quality of the competition and the judging. Don’t miss our guests’ answers in the Low and Slow Showdown.

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This episode is sponsored by the Southern BBQ Network. To find out more about the SBBQN, visit their website here!

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World Food Championships Founder Mike McCloud

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

World Food Championships Founder Mike McCloud shares all the details about the annual food fight that puts the best chefs from across the culinary world into the ring of competition. Find out about the barbecue competition and what it takes to earn a place in the championships and a chance to be named a category champion or a World Food Champion. Listen today to learn about Famous Dave’s All-Start BBQ Series, as well as Mike McCloud’s own barbecue preferences.

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Barbecue Bros Reveal the Carolina Barbecue Reviews & Blog

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Barbecue Bros Founder “Monk” joins The Low & Slow Barbecue show to share memories from 12 years of barbecue blogging. He gives us the story of the Barbecue Bros, highlights some of his favorite barbecue stops, and provides perspective on the current state of Charlotte barbecue. Listen to get the inside scoop on where you can find the Barbecue Bros reviews of barbecue from the Carolinas and beyond – and get tips for planning your own barbecue adventure.

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NYC BBQ Sean Ludwig Talks About The Smoke Sheet & BBQ Travels

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0400

NYC BBQ aka Sean Ludwig, co-creator of The Smoke Sheet barbecue newsletter, talks about the publication’s open call for barbecue voices. Listen to our conversation to find out about his barbecue journey, his favorite stops along the way, and his advice for planning a barbecue road trip. NYC BBQ also shares his tips and recipe for macaroni & cheese. Don’t miss Sean’s advice for the protein and sides he uses to set the bar when he visits a barbecue restaurant.

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Ultimate Tailgaters BBQ and Bessemer City Brew and Que

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Ultimate Tailgaters BBQ Pitmaster Chris Fulmer discusses the Southern BBQ Network 2024 Cook Team of the Year championship – an award he’s won four of the past five years. Find out about his competition success, his barbecue journey, and his plans for the Bessemer City Brew & Que Competition on Sept. 21. Find out about some of Chris Fulmer’s favorite tailgating adventures and hear some of his story from working as official caterer for University of South Carolina football and baseball teams. Bessemer City Brew and Que event organizer Jo-D Franklin gives the details on the Carolina fall festival that combines barbecue, beer, and other vendors in Bessemer City’s Centennial Park.

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This episode is sponsored by the Southern BBQ Network. To find out more about the SBBQN, visit their website here!

In addition to supporting charitable barbecue competitions, the Southern Barbecue Network also donates annually to numerous local community organizations, hospitals, and nonprofits. To find out more about the Southern Barbecue Network competition program and barbecue judge training classes, please visit SBBQN.com for more information.

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Carolina Barbecue News | The Lowdown Summer 2024

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0400

The Low & Slow Barbecue Show compiles Carolina barbecue news from The Lowdown to deliver a late Summer 2024 audio digest. Find out about Texas Monthly’s “Best Texas Barbecue in America,” Southern Living’s “Best New BBQ Joints,” and even Geography King’s best barbecue states (the Carolinas top the list so – VALID!). Find out about Lawrence Barbecue’s new world HQ, Elliott Moss’s brewery collaboration, and the biggest Carolina barbecue festival coming in September-October. Listen now for The Lowdown!

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50 BBQ Podcast Episodes

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0400

The Low & Slow Barbecue Show has hit the half-century mark – 50 BBQ Podcast episodes! - and we’re looking back at some of our favorites. Listen to hear the dozen that left an impression on the host and the audience. Also learn where Chigger found the best barbecue bites of the summer, as well as some of his favorite BBQ news follows.

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Butts for Babies Pitmaster Kyle Sutton

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Butts for Babies founder and pitmaster Kyle Sutton discusses the start of his barbecue journey in Eastern North Carolinas. Find out how that path led to the Butts for Babies organization he started to raise money for families pursuing child adoption. Get Kyle’s barbecue advice, his suggestions for coordinating a barbecue charity, and his recipe for an all-purpose rub. He also shares the names of several of his favorite Carolina barbecue destinations – but don’t miss his suggestion for the best non-barbecue bites in the Raleigh-Durham area.

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What is Barbecue? Where Did It Come From?

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0400

What is barbecue? Where did it come from? Chigger Willard explores the dictionary and the history books to find out the origins of Carolina barbecue. Is barbecue a verb, a noun, or an adjective? We find out and explain why we ask that question during the Low & Slow Showdown. Listen to get the backstory on barbecue in the Carolinas, where it’s been enjoyed for more than 300 years. We also talk about how vinegar and mustard got into the mix. Enjoy this Low & Slow Barbecue Show episode for a quick look at the foundation of the barbecue world we love so much.

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Black BBQ Cook-Off Coordinator Bruce Yeomans

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Black BBQ Cook-off Coordinator Bruce Yeomans joins The Low & Slow Barbecue show to share the scoop on the events 2024 installment in Fayetteville on Aug. 17. Find out how the Black BBQ Cook-off got started, everything that’s involved, and how judges from Southern BBQ Network help elevate the event to a new level. Listen to this episode and learn more about Bruce’s own ventures in the barbecue world and how he’s working to turn a spotlight on the heritage and tradition of barbecue in the black community.

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This episode is sponsored by the Southern BBQ Network. To find out more about the SBBQN, visit their website here!

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Cranford Brothers Barbecue Chef Ben Sullivan

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Meet Cranford Brothers Barbecue pitmaster and culinary director Chef Ben Sullivan. He joins The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to talk about the newest barbecue business in Hickory, NC, and share details about the other restaurants under the Cranford Hospitality brand of businesses. Hear Ben’s background and how he arrived at Cranford Brothers. Find out what you can expect from a visit from Cranford Brothers Barbecue and get the behind-the-scenes story on what’s cooking the meat and inspiring the sides.

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BBQ Road Trip Review: Fork Grove, Carlile’s, Rusty’s Bar-B-Q

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 12:52:40 -0400

The Low & Slow Barbecue Show embarked on another BBQ Road Trip into the Deep South, and we’re sharing everything thing you need to know. Our BBQ Road Trip Review includes stops at Fork Grove Barbecue in Anderson, S.C., as well as Birmingham-based barbecue spots Carlile’s and Rusty’s Bar-B-Q. Listen to get the BBQ reviews, location specifics, a little bit of history of the places, and tips for planning your own BBQ Road Trip. We reveal the resources to help you plan your map.

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Reed St. BBQ Owner Gil Barnes

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Meet Gil Barnes, founder and operator of Reed St. BBQ, a Hickory-based catering operation that serves Southern cuisine that relies on wood-fired cooking. Reed St. prides itself on having the best butts in town, and in this episode, you’ll find out how Gil’s unique style relies on a diverse experience that spans from hospitality training in Alabama to leadership positions in some of the larger seafood and barbecue restaurants in Charleston, S.C. Listen today and get all the details on Reed St. BBQ’s secret recipe and find out about the flavors that fuel this barbecue business.

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Ben’s Backdraft BBQ Food Truck in Western N.C.

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Find out why Ben Hooper left a full-time job in the fire service to pursue his dreams as a barbecue pitmaster for his Western North Carolina food truck, Ben’s Backdraft BBQ. Learn about his menu, his motivation, and his favorite locations for serving the meat he’s preparing low and slow. Listen to get all the details about what it takes to start a food truck business. Note: After we recorded this interview, Ben’s Backdraft BBQ suffered a fire in its primary food service trailer. Help him recover by supporting his GoFundMe page here.

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Our Favorite July 4th BBQ Recipes

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0400

As we celebrate Independence Day and the 248th birthday of the United States, The Low & Slow Barbecue Show shares our favorite July 4th BBQ Recipes. Listen to this episode to get recipes for ribs, rib rub, and rib mop that all combine to make a perfect main protein to celebrate our victory over Great Britain. You’ll also hear Chigger’s favorite recipe for July 4th Baked Beans that he uses to keep his mother’s memory alive. Finally, you can’t have a picnic without dessert – and you can’t have a Carolina barbecue without Cheerwine. Don’t miss our Low & Slow Barbecue Show directions for Cheerwine cake!

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BBQ Road Trip! Reviews for Palmira and City Limits

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Summer is here, and it is time for a BBQ road trip! In this episode, The Low & Slow Barbecue travels to South Carolina to review a pair of places that are getting increasingly popular in Carolina barbecue circles. First up, we share the experience at Hector Garate’s Palmira Barbecue, which opened in Charleston in February 2024. Listen to get details on a Sunday visit to Robbie Robinson’s City Limits Barbecue in West Columbia. Finally, Chigger highlights a place closer to home that’s entering the sordid fray of best barbecue in Hickory, Anywhere’z Fine in Sawmills. Before you plan your next BBQ road trip in the Carolinas, get a preview of what you can expect right here.

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Meet Farm BBQ: Carolina Style Born in Maryland

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Believe it or not, the Carolinas don’t hold a monopoly on “Carolina barbecue.” In fact, you can even find it in the land of crab cakes. That’s where you’ll meet Farm BBQ, a Maryland-born barbecue pop-up that serves Carolina whole hog barbecue and promotes local family farms. In this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show, we talk to Farm BBQ founders Mark, Tommie, and Will, and find out why they brought our Carolina barbecue traditions to Maryland. We discuss their business strategy focused on local farmers and creating a Carolina craft barbecue experience – 400 miles northeast of Lexington, N.C. Will and Tommie reveal the details about their house barbecue sauce – is it east or west? – and don’t miss their turn in the Low & Slow showdown. Barbecue – verb or noun?

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Bryan Furman BBQ | Pitmaster Spotlight

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Bryan Furman became the first pitmaster named one of Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Chefs. He’s caught the James Beard Foundation’s attention, too, landing on the list of semi-finalists for best chefs in the Southeast twice. Now, the successful barbecue entrepreneur steps into The Low & Slow Barbecue Show Spotlight – a spotlight that found him an out-of-the-ordinary location.

Listen to this episode and find out about Bryan’s latest project to open a new restaurant in Marietta, a town northwest of Atlanta where he brought a second B’s Cracklin’ Barbecue location after a start in Savannah. We talk about Bryan’s barbecue journey, including how he got started, who inspires him, and whether the “King of Georgia Barbecue” ever sees a permanent return to the Carolinas.

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Thank you to our sponsor for this episode the Southern BBQ Network. To find out more, visit their website here!

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BBQ Competition Behind the Scenes with SBN & Backdraft BBQ

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

BBQ Competition is serious business in the Carolinas, so we’re taking a behind-the-scenes look with pros in the know. From training competition BBQ judges and their work at the scorers’ table to the pit perspectives of the contenders and the thrill of victory, this episode smokes out all the secrets. Listen to find out everything that goes into a competition BBQ judging from Southern BBQ Network Competition Director Mike Wright. Then you’ll hear the other side of the smokey story from competitive BBQ contender and barbecue caterer Eric Carpenter from Backdraft BBQ. If you’re interested in learning more about the world of BBQ competitions, this is the episode for you.

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BBQ Tourist Ryan Cooper, Founder of The Smoke Sheet

Thu, 30 May 2024 12:00:00 -0400

In a barbecue world that’s full of options, from the best places to eat, to the right equipment to you and the latest methods you want to try, it helps to have a tour guide. BBQ Tourist Ryan Cooper is that guide to the best pit stops in America. He’s great a resource for news and information, events, and backyard cooking – especially as this summer season of smoking gets fired up. He’s also a founder of The Smoke Sheet a weekly newsletter that curates the latest national barbecue news, upcoming events, top recipes, and more.

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Blue Suede BBQ: Rubs, Sauces & Service

Thu, 23 May 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer but it is also a time to salute the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the service of our country. In this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show, we meet a military member who serves our nation in the U.S. Army and serves barbecue fans through his business, Blue Suede BBQ. We find out about Blue Suede BBQ’s roster of rubs and sauces and how Pitmaster Chris Loschiavo enlisted in the life of smoke – and in the U.S. military after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Listen to learn about the charities Blue Suede BBQ supports and where you can find the Blue Suede BBQ sauces and rubs that provide purchase proceeds for those organizations. As we commemorate Military Appreciate Month and Memorial Day, we talk with Chris about his military service in the U.S. Army, where he’s Lt. Col. and the Division Engineer in the 82nd Airborne Division stationed at Fort Liberty near Fayetteville, NC.

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Jon G’s Owners Garren & Kelly Kirkman

Thu, 16 May 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Jon G’s Barbecue serves Texas barbecue tradition in the small North Carolina town of Peachland, where he’s attracting plenty of big-city attention. Whether it’s Texas Monthly, Southern Living, or the Barbecue Bros, everyone who makes the trek to Jon G’s sings the praises of the brisket, beef ribs, kolaches, and the traditional sides that quickly fill up a barbecue tray with goodness. Find out the story behind Jon G’s, what makes his experience so unique, and why so many Carolina barbecue people say his name when they’re talking about the state’s best-smoked meats. In this episode, Jon G's Pitmaster Garren Kirkman makes his second visit to the Low & Slow Barbecue Show, and he brings along his wife Kelly Kirkman to talk about their business and Jon G’s Jubilee.

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This episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show is sponsored by the Southern Barbecue Network.

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Vicious Pig Barbecue & Lori’s Ace BBQ Battle

Thu, 09 May 2024 12:00:00 -0400

The Low & Slow Barbecue Show steps into the competition BBQ circuit with the Vicious Pig BBQ team and Lori’s Ace Hardware, the site of a big BBQ Battle. We find out what goes into a competition barbecue event for the hosts and the competitors. Listen to Lori Stobbe share the details on her barbecue and grilling mecca at Lori’s Ace Hardware in Fayetteville, NC. Hear from Bobby Brinson what it takes to be a professional barbecue competitor – and how that Vicious Pig BBQ operation turned into a popular food truck operation. If you’ve ever wondered what happens in the Carolinas’ competition barbecue realm, this episode is for you.

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Hungry Heroes Founder Amanda Riggan

Thu, 02 May 2024 12:06:27 -0400

Today we introduce an organization created to provide barbecue and comfort at times when our community’s heroes need it most. On the heels of a law enforcement tragedy in Charlotte, NC, we talk with Hungry Heroes founder Amanda Riggan. Discover why she started a mission to serve barbecue to first responders, military members, and veterans during times when their morale most needs a boost of support and gratitude. Listen to find out how to support Hungry Heroes and what the organization does to bring hope through smoke and sauce. We also learn what fuels Amanda’s own lifetime of service to causes greater than her own.

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Backyard BBQ Recipes for Summer Success

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Summer smoking season is fast approaching – are you ready for a weekend backyard BBQ party? You need the right meat, the right sides, and the right recipes for the world’s best (Lexington) BBQ sauce. Do NOT forget dessert!

In this Low & Slow Barbecue Show we serve up some of our favorite backyard BBQ recipes shared by guests on the podcast. Learn how to smoke the perfect pork shoulder from the backyard BBQ expert and hear recipes for all the sauces, sides, and summer desserts you need to go with it. You don’t need an invitation. Listen today and get your backyard barbecue party started.

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Barbecue Ideas & Advice | Sources for BBQ Support

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Where do you turn when you’re looking for the best barbecue ideas and new recipes? What if you’re trying to find a barbecue pit stop in a foreign place? Maybe you’re looking for a weekend adventure that promises a full menu of barbecue delights mixed with music all in the name of helping a good cause.

On this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show we share some of our favorite sources for barbecue ideas and advice. You can also find out why the Raleigh-Durham Triangle has been named the new North Carolina state capitol of barbecue. I’ve also got the list of places you can’t miss if you want to provide it. Listen today and you’ll also get the lowdown on all the upcoming barbecue festivals near you.

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2024 Carolina BBQ Fest Recap

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 13:38:10 -0400

In this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show we review the big Carolina BBQ Festival weekend in Uptown Charlotte. Find out who served what and which barbecue bites were our favorites. We’ve also got big news about the future of the festival and more Carolina BBQ Festival events coming your way soon.

Listen today and get the latest barbecue news from our friends. We also include the lowdown on other barbecue festivals around the Carolinas that you don’t want to miss.

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City Limits Barbecue Pitmaster Robbie Robinson

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 12:00:00 -0400

City Limits Barbecue combines the best of barbecue worlds – Texas and the Carolinas. In the process, pitmaster Robbie Robinson gets plenty of attention for his smoked meats, soulful sides, and the wild cards he serves on Sundays. In this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show, we talk with the man behind City Limits Barbecue about the history of the business and his barbecue roots, which extend deep into the Carolinas and the Lone Star State. Listen to find out why he’s been named a 2024 James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef in the Southeast and how he got the attention of the BBQ Snob and Texas Monthly. Don’t miss this chance to learn how City Limits Barbecue brings real wood-smoked barbecue to West Columbia, S.C.

Want to go to the Carolina Barbecue Festival? Visit the website here, and use the promo code lowslowbbq for a discount!

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Resident Culture Brewing Pitmaster Edmar Simoes

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Resident Culture Brewing Company Pitmaster Edmar Simoes is bringing a fusion of American and Brazilian barbecue to Charlotte and the Carolina BBQ Festival. We talk with Edmar about launching Charlotte’s newest barbecue spot at Resident Culture Brewing, where you’ll find familiar barbecue favorites mixed with a South American flair. Join us as we trace Edmar’s extensive barbecue roots and discover why his fire is always lit for smoked meats and food innovation.

Want to go to the Carolina Barbecue Festival? Visit the website here, and use the promo code lowslowbbq for a discount!

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Lawrence Barbecue Pitmaster Jake Wood

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Lawrence Barbecue Pitmaster Jake Wood takes us to barbecue paradise at the Boxyard RTP in Durham, where they’re serving sticky ribs daily for lunch, as well as all-day offerings of Texas-style brisket, pulled pork, and raw and BBQ oysters. Of course, the Lawrence Barbecue menu includes all the side fixins you want to find in a BBQ joint. Listen to this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show for the complete fire-inspired story behind this Research Triangle Park brainchild of Jake and his wife Brandi. Find out why Southern Living named it one of the “Best New Barbecue Joints in the South."

Want to go to the Carolina Barbecue Festival? Visit the website here, and use the promo code lowslowbbq for a discount!

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Easton Barbecue Co. Pitmaster Joel Easton

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Based in Asheville, Joel Easton serves wood-smoked meats and seafood across the Carolinas through his business, Easton Barbecue Co. He joins this episode of The Low and Slow Barbecue Show to talk about the barbecue roots that took him away from one career and into another at Buxton Hall. Find out what inspired his move and some of the lessons Joel learned from Asheville BBQ greats like Elliott Moss. Listen today, and you’ll also learn how he connected with the Carolina BBQ Festival, which celebrates its third year of Barbecue for a Cause on April 5-6 in Charlotte’s Victoria Yards.

Want to go to the Carolina Barbecue Festival? Visit the website here, and use the promo code lowslowbbq for a discount!

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Click here to get some of Jon Reep's South In Ya Mouth BBQ Sauce!

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Master Blend Family Farms Pitmaster Ronald Simmons

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Master Blend Family Farms President and Pitmaster Ronald Simmons returns to The Low & Slow Barbecue Show. Listen to this episode to hear how his all-gas-no-brakes approach continues to grow the Master Blend Nation and spread the “Got To Be NC” message across North Carolina. Recorded on location at The MESH studios in Hickory, we also surprise Ronald with a taste of recipes offered by some of our favorite podcast guests. Find out why Master Blend Family Farms participates in the annual Carolina BBQ Festival and how Ronald and his team seem to be everywhere all the time with his positive “Barbecue Fueled by Ambition” mission.

Want to go to the Carolina Barbecue Festival? Visit the website here, and use the promo code lowslowbbq for a discount!

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Click here to get some of Jon Reep's South In Ya Mouth BBQ Sauce!

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Shepard Barbecue Pitmaster Brandon Shepard

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Shepard Barbecue Pitmaster Brandon Shepard joins The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to talk about his business on Emerald Isle, his barbecue experience, and the national spotlight from Diners, Drive-ins & Dives. Listen to this Carolina Pitmasters episode to hear about Brandon’s Eastern-style influence and his experience as the only game in town in a coastal Carolina community where seafood is usually the first choice. Don’t miss Brandon’s tips for preparing a great brisket – perfect for any backyard barbecue enthusiast. Brandon also hints at some outside-the-box thinking that fuels Shepard Barbecue menu items that aren’t your ordinary barbecue fare.

Want to go to the Carolina Barbecue Festival? Visit the website here, and use the promo code lowslowbbq for a discount!

Visit The Low and Slow Barbecue Show website here!

Click here to get some of Jon Reep's South In Ya Mouth BBQ Sauce!

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Fork Grove Barbecue Pitmaster Dylan Cooke

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Fork Grove Barbecue Pitmaster Dylan Cooke shares all the Low & Slow details about his barbecue business in Anderson, S.C., from his early start as a teenager in the pits to his decision to venture out on his own. We’ve partnered with the Carolina Barbecue Festival in Charlotte so you can find out how Dylan and Fork Grove brought Texas barbecue to South Carolina and the Texas-sized BBQ spotlight that comes with it. Listen as Dylan shares details about his sprawling smokehouse filled with custom smokers, and the secret behind Fork Grove’s wood-smoked meats and soulful fixins. Of course, we get all the lowdown from Dylan in the Low & Slow showdown. Listen to find out which state he thinks is the best for barbecue!

Want to go to the Carolina Barbecue Festival? Visit the website here, and use the promo code lowslowbbq for a discount!

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Click here to get some of Jon Reep's South In Ya Mouth Sauce!

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Black Powder Smokehouse Pitmaster Keith Henning

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Black Powder Smokehouse Pitmaster Keith Henning gives us the lowdown on his barbecue businesses in Asheboro and Jamestown, where he breathed new life into a historic gas station in 2016. Find out what makes his artisan barbecue unique and how he is bringing a distinct Texas flavor to North Carolina. Of course, Black Powder Smokehouse follows barbecue traditions of smokehouse meats, homestyle sides, and mouth-watering desserts. Yet, when it comes to the Carolina BBQ Festival menu and weekly specials, Keith steps outside the familiar barbecue box. Simply put, Black Powder Smokehouse is not your grandad’s barbecue, but grandad will like it just the same. Listen to this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to learn why Black Powder Smokehouse is a place the Triad Community can be proud of.

Want to go to the Carolina Barbecue Festival? Visit the website here, and use the promo code lowslowbbq for a discount!

Visit The Low and Slow Barbecue Show website here!

Click here to get some of Jon Reep's South In Ya Mouth BBQ Sauce!

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Operation BBQ Relief’s Stan Hays & Carolina BBQ Festival

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Operation BBQ Relief Founder Stan Hays and Carolina BBQ Festival Founder Lewis Donald share how the global barbecue community supports people when they are facing their greatest struggles. Get the latest details on the 2024 Carolina BBQ Festival and how it connected with Operation BBQ Relief. You’ll also hear the story behind this charitable organization founded in Joplin, MO, in the wake of a tornado disaster. Don’t miss our conversation with Stan Hays, a competition barbecue champion, charity pitmaster, and cookbook author who is focused on helping his neighbors in need.

Want to go to the Carolina Barbecue Festival? Visit the website here, and use the promo code lowslowbbq for a discount!

Visit The Low and Slow Barbecue Show website here!

Click here to get some of Jon Reep's South In Ya Mouth BBQ Sauce!

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Master Blend Family Farms CEO Ronald Simmons

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Master Blend Family Farms CEO Ronald Simmons talks about his third-generation family farming business, his barbecue experience, and the ALL GAS, NO BRAKES 365 Master Blend Nation. Listen to this episode to learn about the roots beneath Ronald’s farm with show pig breeding stock and all-natural BBQ pigs and market pigs. He also shares how Master Blend Family Farm’s digital media helped this agribusiness brand catch fire. Of course, “Batman” gives a few highlights from his adventures with “Superman” as Agriculture’s Dynamic Duo spotlighting North Carolina’s homegrown food businesses as part of the N.C. Department of Agriculture’s “Got to be N.C.” program.

In this episode, you’ll hear details about Ronald’s family recipe for Master Blend Sausage Rolls. Be sure to visit the Low & Slow Blog to get all the information on the recipe and Master Blend Family Farms. Like what you hear on The Low & Slow Barbecue Show?

Subscribe to the podcast, and give us a five-star rating on your favorite podcasting platform.

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Bohemian Cattle Company & Pitmaster Colby Brownlee

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 12:00:00 -0400

The Bohemian Cattle Company is the newest agritourism getaway in the Charlotte region. Combining a pasture-to-plate cattle ranch and restaurant, a widely experienced pitmaster, and the limitless possibilities of open acreage, Bohemian Cattle Company promises plenty of adventure in tastes and activities. Listen to this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to hear about Bohemian Cattle Company from pitmaster Colby Brownlee and brand manager Bradley Bonning.

Find out about Bohemian Cattle Company, its restaurant and creamery, disc golf course, gold mining, and the Sasquatch sightings near the property’s campground. Speaking of Bigfoots, you don’t want to miss the pitmaster’s recipes for “Sasquatch” Ancho-Chile Coffee Rub and Sweet Apple Zest Vinegar Sauce. The pitmaster also reveals a BBQ background that spans from the West Coast to Texas and now in North Carolina. Be sure to visit the blog for all the specifics about his recipes and details on how and where to find Bohemian Cattle Company.

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Doxie Guy BBQ Shares Sauce Secrets

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Doxie Guy BBQ sauce maker, whole hog pitmaster, and Dachshund dog enthusiast Scott Schiffel joins the Low & Slow Barbecue to talk sauce and barbecue roots. Described as a “COVID project,” Scott launched Doxie Guy BBQ after a lifetime spent around barbecue pits and kitchens in Eastern North Carolina and beyond. In this episode find out about the Doxie Guy BBQ sauces and their inspiration – as well as their namesakes, Reeci and Izzi. Scott also talks about the barbecue business, his BBQ rub partnerships, and the championship credentials Doxie Guy BBQ sauce earned with a pit master competing in Texas. Don’t miss Doxie Guy’s details about his grandmother’s corn pudding – perfect for any occasion, or his memories of smoking hogs with his grandfather. Listen to the podcast and find out how Scott is mindfully turning a BBQ hobby into something profitable – without letting it become work.

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Apple City BBQ Pitmaster Adam Dula

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Hear Apple City BBQ Pitmaster Adam Dula share the story of his family-owned and operated barbecue business in Taylorsville, N.C. While much of North Carolina continues to debate Eastern or Western, the Dula family and Apple City BBQ dedicate their attention to producing good barbecue, regardless of your geographical sauce preference.

And Apple City BBQ just happens to have its own unique take on sauce. Listen to this episode to hear about Adam’s jalapeno lime BBQ sauce recipe. You’ll also hear about a local favorite for the restaurant in the foothills of North Carolina’s Brushy Mountains - brisket pimento cheese egg rolls.

Find out why Adam left a career in nuclear radiology to open a family restaurant and catering business. You’ll learn how Apple City has earned a devoted audience with quality meat smoked low and slow over apple and hickory wood.

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Southern Smoke BBQ Pitmaster Matthew Register

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Southern Smoke BBQ Pitmaster Matthew Register returns to The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to share the story of his barbecue sauces and restaurant in Garland, N.C. Cured in Eastern N.C. barbecue tradition, Matthew creates a Southern Smoke menu that holds true to BBQ roots, but it is just as likely to include a curveball recipe steeped in Southern traditions.

That’s the spirit that led to his cookbook, Southern Smoke: Barbecue Traditions and Treasured Recipes Reimagined for Today. He shares more of that story and an award-winning recipe that could be the perfect mid-week meal for your busy family.

Matthew first introduced his business to The Low & Slow Barbecue Show during the Carolina BBQ Festival at Camp North End. There, he wowed festivalgoers with served smoked shrimp ceviche. Be sure to listen to this episode as we put the full spotlight on Matthew Register and Southern Smoke BBQ of NC.

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Midwood Smokehouse Pitmaster, Matt Barry

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Visit Charlotte, N.C., today, and you’ll find a food landscape with everything you can imagine, including a diverse selection of barbecues. But at one time, Charlotte was a food desert for good barbecue - until Midwood Smokehouse arrived in a trendy and eclectic neighborhood east of Uptown. With Pitmaster Matt Barry running the barbecue show for FS Food Group, one restaurant in 2011 has grown to six in the Carolinas.

Matt joins the Low & Slow Barbecue Show to walk you through Midwood Smokehouse. Listen and hear about his cola barbecue sauce recipe for burnt ends. Find out what fuels the Midwood Smokehouse pitmaster and his restaurants (an impressive all-wood Oyler smoker from J&R Manufacturing.) Don’t miss Matt’s opinion on the best state for barbecue and his favorite Carolinas barbecue restaurant.

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Pitmasters: Ronald Simmons, Keith Henning, Michael Letchworth

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 12:00:00 -0400

North Carolina barbecue comes in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. Sure, there’s always debate over Eastern Whole Hog and vinegar versus Western Pork Shoulder, red slaw, and barbecue dip with ketchup.

But in the great barbecue state of North Carolina in the year 2023, people like a lot of other barbecue angles, too. The barbecue menu is diversifying even if the barbecue joint isn’t changing too much.

On this Low and Slow Barbecue Show episode, we meet pig masters AND pitmasters who stoke the flames of tradition and challenge expectations. We talk to Ronald Simmons from Master Blend Family Farms, a third-generation family farming business specializing in pasture-raised pork. Keith Henning is the Pitmaster at Black Powder Smokehouse in Jamestown and Asheboro – and he isn’t afraid to step outside the traditional North Carolina barbecue box.

Finally, Michael Letchworth joins us from Sam Jones BBQ in Winterville and Raleigh. He’s spent a lifetime working in and around the same barbecue traditions that date back to Pete Jones and the Skylight Inn’s whole hog barbecue, cornbread, and slaw.

Listen to hear all about North Carolina barbecue traditions – and innovations.

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Celebrating Independence with Hanna Raskin

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 12:00:00 -0400

To mark Independence Day on the Low & Slow Barbecue Show, we talk to 2023 James Beard Foundation Award Winner Hanna Raskin. And because she is absolutely an independent voice in food journalism (and a 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner), you know Hanna is preaching the gospel.

Hanna Raskin is the founder and editor of The Food Section, a newsletter about food and food culture in the South. In this episode, we talk with her about American Barbecue traditions on July 4th, her favorite plate of food for Independence Day, and the traditional recipe she wants to bring to the holiday potluck. We get Hanna’s insight on the importance of barbecue in the Carolinas, the best barbecue restaurant around, and of course, she answers all the questions in the Low and Slow showdown – including which barbecue is best, the East or the West.

Listen today, and you’ll also hear about her exit-by-exit guide for food along I-95, a project that helped her win a second James Beard Foundation Award.

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Pitmasters: Ken & Jess Hess from County Smoak

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 12:00:00 -0400

The Carolinas hold no monopoly on great barbecue. There’s plenty of really good food being cooked low and slow all around the barbecue world. Lynchburg, Virginia is one of those places. That’s home for Ken and Jess Hess and their barbecue business County Smoak.

The husband and wife duo of classically trained chefs have rekindled Virginia barbecue traditions while crafting their own important barbecue story.

Ken and Jess and County Smoak are why the Low and Slow Barbecue Show partnered with the Carolina BBQ Festival to create this Pitmaster Series of podcasts. We want to share the stories of the best pitmasters around the Carolinas – and Virginia!

Listen now to hear all about County Smoak and the Hess Family’s barbecue tradition.

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Pitmasters: Holy City Hogs, Tank Jackson

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 12:00:00 -0400

To make the best barbecue you’ve got to take it low and slow. If you’re making that barbecue in the Carolinas, chances are pretty good you’re cooking a pig low and slow. And if you want the best pigs for traditional whole hog barbecue, you can’t miss with Holy City Hogs.

The Low & Slow Barbecue Show partnered with the Carolina BBQ Festival for the Pitmasters Series because I want you to hear the stories from the pitmasters – and some of the other people who bring flavor to the Carolinas barbecue community. Tank Jackson most certainly brings some flavor.

Farmer Tank travels the country sharing his passion for his hogs and barbecue. Listen to our conversation at Carolina BBQ Festival at Camp North End. You’ll find out quickly. Tank has a passion – and that’s putting it mildly.

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Pitmasters: Lewis Donald, Garren Kirkman, and Matthew Register

Thu, 18 May 2023 12:00:00 -0400

If you want the best Carolina BBQ you need a low slow cooking heat source, the best quality meat… and a seasoned pitmaster.

The Low & Slow Barbecue Show partnered with the Carolina BBQ Festival for this Pitmasters Series of Podcasts. We want you to hear the Pitmasters’ stories. From managing the fire and seasoning the meat to seeing it through to a perfect finish. We know the person serving a show-stopper for the mouth is the one at the pit, the ringmaster of the Carolina Barbecue main event.

In this episode, we talk with Carolina BBQ Festival Founder Lewis Donald, the pitmaster of Sweet Lew’s BBQ in the Belmont neighborhood of Charlotte. We also talk to Garren Kirkman the pitmaster at Jon G’s Barbecue in Peachland, NC.

Finally, stay tuned to the end of our conversation with Matthew Register from Southern Smoke BBQ in Garland. You’ll want to hear how he went from backyard barbecue to successful restaurant runner and cookbook author featured in Southern Living and Our State.

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3 Beers Down and JD’s Smokehouse

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

JD’s Smokehouse is on the menu and 3 Beers Down is in TheMesh.tv studios for a review of beer and BBQ pairings. Host Chigger Willard welcomes Josh Elder, Matt Everley, and Luke Sears who share their advice for the best beer and BBQ combinations with smoked chicken, pulled pork, and beef brisket.

While Chigger’s “surprise beer” wins the award for Best Beer and BBQ Match with Everything, listen to this podcast mash-up for a review of What’s Up Bro from Lost Province Brewing Co., Saison de Lis from Perennial Artisan Ales, and Willettized from Lagunitas Brewing Company. Get the Low & Slow-3 Beers Down opinion on the main meats from JD’s Smokehouse and their best sides (spoiler alert: the brisket and jalapeño cheese grits are worth a drive to Rutherford College.)

If you’ve spent hours getting your meat ready to go in the smoker, you know when it is time to crack a cold beer, sit back and let the smoke do its thing. Maybe you enjoy that Carolina craft beer at the END of a day spent serving barbecue to family and friends. A meal of cold beer and BBQ? Maybe …. if that’s your thing. And it is gonna be our thing on this episode of the Low & Slow Barbecue Show featuring 3 Beers Down and JD’s Smokehouse.

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Carolina BBQ Festival Founder Lewis Donald

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On this episode of the Low & Slow Barbecue Show, we welcome the barbecue pitmaster at Sweet Lew’s Barbecue in Charlotte and the founder of the Carolina BBQ Festival. Find out about Charlotte’s newest BBQ Fest from Lewis “Sweet Lew” Donald and celebrate the heritage of whole hog barbecue.

One of the best things about cooking barbecue low and slow in the Carolinas is watching family, friends, and customers when they take that first savory bite of what you prepared. Spend countless hours preparing, cooking, and serving up your best barbecue. For a barbecue pitmaster, it is hard to beat the feeling when someone says, “Ooh, that’s so good.”

Of course, the experience only gets even better if you are among a community of your barbecue peers all working together for a good cause. Wow all those tastebuds, see sauce spill on fingers and shirt fronts, your work is done.

That’s why spring bbq festivals fill the calendar when the weather starts to warm. From Memphis in May to the Lexington Barbecue Festival in October. If you try, you can spend most weekends competing, serving, judging, tasting, or enjoying the best barbecue cooked low and slow.

Join Chigger Willard to learn more about:

Barbecue for a Cause and the Carolina BBQ Festival.
Sweet Lew’s barbecue specialty and his favorite recipes.
Secrets of preparing great barbecue
The Pitmaster’s take on the best sauce, best wood, and best barbecue cooking methods.

And naturally, the best of that barbecue is right here in North Carolina.

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Low & Slow Goes Indoor

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Low & Slow barbecue tips for the indoor oven master. Shutdown Fullcast’s Ryan Nanni shares his recipe for Bo Ssam pork shoulder.

Some people are limited to preparing their favorite barbecue … inside. If you’re one of those folks in an apartment, or heaven forbid you don’t have an outdoor smoker, or even a place to get outside, this episode of the Low & Slow Barbecue Show is for you.

Let there be no doubt that the low & slow barbecue traditions of the Carolinas are best performed outdoors for the at-home pitmaster.

Whether you’ve got a cinder block pit, a pull-behind trailer smoker, or more modern technology like one of those fancy pellet things, to do it right, you’re gonna be producing a lot of heat and a lot of smoke. You’re probably going to be doing it for a long time, too. Combine all those factors, and you have a cooking equation that belongs outside. Plus, it is just nice to be out of the house, especially as the weather warms in the spring.

But what if you don’t have the luxury of an outdoor kitchen, or a carport parking spot for your Weber Smoky Mountain? Plenty of unfortunate people in this world don’t have a patio space to prepare a barbecue delight.

Chigger Willard talks with culinary enthusiast and college sports aficionado Ryan Nanni from Shutdown Fullcast. Listen to get advice for preparing Bo Ssam, as well tips for serving the Korean barbecue delight of low & slow cooked pork shoulder. And because Ryan Nanni is a familiar voice in the world of college sports media, we also talk about his favorite tailgating venues for barbecue – and the overrated college football pre-game parties.

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Tailgating Time for The Low & Slow Barbecue Show!

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Finally, the cool temperatures greet us on the Carolina mornings of fall. The days are getting shorter as the calendar ticks toward the tenth month. The fall weekend schedule is filling up. And if you’re a fan and follower of North America’s favorite football pastime, it is time to dust off your favorite tailgate chili recipe.

That’s because if you are a fan of football, chances are pretty good, you’re also a fan of food cooked for hours in advance of kickoff. After all, football is best enjoyed as one part of a weekend tailgate party. You can’t have a tailgate party without food. If we’re prepping food, especially a tailgate chili recipe, we’re doing it low and slow.

So we’re tailgating on this Low and Slow Barbecue Show episode. Listen as we meet two long-time tailgaters, Marcus Miller and Randy Abernathy. If the Carolina Panthers play in Charlotte, you’ll find Marcus and Randy tailgating around their favorite food menu with friends and family.

Marcus shares his tailgate chili recipe. Randy offers insight into his smoked pork foundation for a Brunswick Stew crowd pleaser. Both provide tips and takeaways that are good for your next tailgate – or your next low and slow cook. Don’t miss the tailgaters’ low and slow BBQ side hustle that supports raised awareness of agriculture and sustainability.

Check out The Low & Slow Barbeque Show website for episodes, Chigger's Blog, and more!

The Low and Slow Barbecue Show serves up barbecue recipes, advice for smoking barbecue, and cooking barbecue stories of success - and failure! Home smokers and BBQ Pitmasters share advice - all steeped in Carolina barbecue flavor.

Listen and learn how to smoke meat, the best meat to smoke, how to make Carolina barbecue sauce, and the best barbecue restaurants we love to visit - the best barbecue in North Carolina! (And maybe a few other “barbecue” places, too!) Every episode promises to share a few experiments for the next time you fire up the barbecue smoker.

Barbecue meat smoking enthusiast, news journalist, and sports radio broadcaster Chigger Willard walks through the barbecue basics with guests who bring a wide variety of experiences to the barbecue world. Competitors. Restauranteurs. Fund-Raisers. Tailgaters. Moms and Dads. ALL the people who make the best barbecue share all their barbecue best.

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BBQ Food Truck Shares Secrets

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Every day a wave of food trucks rolls out across the blacktops of the Carolinas, bringing with them a variety of flavors to festivals, breweries, construction sites, and busy street corners. Convenient to find, affordable for food, and easy to eat right on the street, these food trucks serve everything from tacos and crab rolls to pizza and frozen treats. Of course, our favorite is the BBQ food truck.

Ultimately, the BBQ food truck is a smokehouse on wheels. Pitmasters pack their wagons with pork and chicken, then serve up sandwiches, ribs, sliced brisket … just about anything else you’d find at your favorite brick-and-mortar barbecue restaurant. Only this is a food truck. There are no bricks. There is no mortar, so that means there is no pit. And yet there’s still smoke, sauce, and meat cooked low and slow. So how exactly does the food truck pitmaster produce such a perfect combination of barbecue flavors inside a big metal box?

In this episode of the Low & Slow Barbecue Show, the one and only Big Byrd of Big Byrd’s Smoke House Barbecue shares his story of barbecue life. Big Byrd’s Smokehouse is a family-run food truck serving barbecue brisket and pulled pork for catering and events in the Hickory Metro and all around western North Carolina from Winston-Salem, down to Gastonia, and up to Blowing Rock.

Find out more about Big Byrd’s Smokehouse and what it takes to operate a BBQ food truck. Listen to this episode and get the lowdown on low and slow food truck barbecue from Richard Byrd.

Check out The Low & Slow Barbeque Show website for episodes, Chigger's Blog, and more!

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Fourth of July Ribs – in England!

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400

For the Fourth of July Holiday week, host Chigger Willard welcomes a low-and-slow barbecue expert living in Britain, Jim Ernst. He shares his tried-and-true recipe – complete with British ingredient accommodations (Iberian pork!) – for his Fourth of July ribs.

After all, Independence Day and low and slow barbecue are intertwined, a pair of uniquely American traditions. Other countries don’t mark the day the United States announced its independence. Why would they?

But what if you are a proud American living outside the U.S. trying to recreate your traditional summer holiday? Better yet, what if you are an American in the foreign land of our former oppressors? You can’t celebrate American Independence with fish and chips or tatties and neeps. Do the British barbecue … at all? Do they even know how?

Listen to the Fourth of July Ribs episode of Low and Slow Barbecue Show that spans the Atlantic Ocean. Find out what the barbecue scene in Britain looks like from the mouth of an American ex-pat. Jim also shares how he keeps the Southern tradition of low and slow barbecue alive, even when he’s nearly 4,000 miles from the Carolinas.

Check out The Low & Slow Barbeque Show website for episodes, Chigger's Blog, and more!

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Charity Que Crew

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

If you’ve ever sat down with a plate of pulled pork and a group of people, you know that a barbecue get-together can be the launching point for other good things. In fact, in the Carolinas barbecue is widely recognized as a foundation for fund-raisers. On this episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show, we talk to charity barbecue experts Jody Dixon and Gene Scronce who have spent decades creating fund-raisers that support worthwhile causes. Listen for their special recipes, their secrets to fund-raiser success, and exclusive advice for making the best low and slow barbecue – FOR THE MASSES!

Check out The Low & Slow Barbeque Show website for episodes, Chigger's Blog, and more!

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Backyard Barbecue Expert, Jeff Osborne

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Have you ever wondered what’s smoking in the neighborhood that smells so good? Meet the Master of the Backyard Barbecue, Jeff Osborne. He shares his can’t-miss recipe for preparing North Carolina smoked pork shoulder. Don’t miss his spice mix ratio for barbecue rub and directions for making his favorite Eastern Carolina sauce. Listen for BBQ 101 tips, suggestions for finding the best Carolina barbecue, and the story of a Father’s Day failure for the pitmaster.

Check out The Low & Slow Barbeque Show website for episodes, Chigger's Blog, and more!

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Man Cave Meals

Thu, 26 May 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Who’s behind all the how-to videos explaining barbecue techniques and tools you want to try before you buy? Join a YouTube pioneer in meat smoking, product testing, and “how-to” videos. Our guest John Setzler shares his favorite recipe for Dino Ribs, Sizzle Macaroni, and his signature Man Cave Rub. Plus, Mr. Man Cave Meals puts the current capital of barbecue outside its original home in the Carolinas. But where?

Check out The Low & Slow Barbeque Show website for episodes, Chigger's Blog, and more!

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The Low & Slow Barbecue Show

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 08:48:51 -0400

Barbecue podcast “The Low and Slow Barbecue Show” serves up barbecue recipes, advice for smoking barbecue, and cooking barbecue stories of success - and failure! Home smokers and BBQ Pitmasters share advice - all steeped in Carolina barbecue flavor.

Barbecue meat smoking enthusiast Chigger Willard walks through the barbecue basics with guests who bring a wide variety of experiences in the barbecue world. Competitors. Restauranteurs. Fund-Raisers. Tailgaters. Moms and Dads. ALL the people who make the best barbecue share all their barbecue best.

What wood do you use for meat smoking? How long should you smoke meat? Can you mess it up? Can you really cook that on the smoker? How do you barbecue in the crockpot? And just what is Alabama white sauce anyway?

We’re smoking over everything. From Eastern Carolina barbecue – America’s first smoked whole hog, Lexington barbecue where vinegar meets ketchup, and even on to the more exotic: western-style barbecue sauces, South Carolina’s mustard gold, and other peculiar concoctions.

Get answers to the smoking barbecue questions you want to ask – and get them low and slow. That means you’re getting the lowdown, nice and slow – so you can understand it, USE IT … and tell your friends to listen to The Low and Slow Barbecue Show.

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