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🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 Stories From the Smoke returns to the Country Style Cook-Off in Blenheim, South Carolina. In Episode 5, “Keeping the Fire,” we sit down with Cordin Wood of Wood Family Q and Dr. Howard Conyers for two conversations connected by family, community, history and the traditions that continue to shape barbecue. Cordin Wood takes us inside his first year competing at Country Style—from the preparation required to compete to developing new flavors and building Wood Family Q alongside his family. He also explains why the fellowship surrounding Country Style keeps bringing him back and why growth should never come at the expense of what makes the event special.  Then Dr. Howard Conyers takes the conversation back generations. Conyers discusses the role Black communities played in preserving whole-animal and whole-hog barbecue traditions, historic trench cooking across the South, the people whose contributions have been overlooked, and why documenting that history matters—especially in an era when misinformation can spread quickly.  For Conyers, Country Style represents something bigger than barbecue: fellowship, culture and community—a Southern family reunion built around the smoke.  Stories From the Smoke | Episode 5: Keeping the Fire Subscribe to Black Smoke Barbecue for more stories exploring the people, history and culture behind the smoke. #BlackSmokeBarbecue #StoriesFromTheSmoke #BlackBBQ #BBQHistory #CountryStyleCookOff 00:00 Stories From the Smoke: Keeping the Fire 01:14 Cordin Wood: First Time at Country Style 02:18 Preparation Is Everything 03:10 Creating New BBQ Flavors 05:19 Building Wood Family Q as a Family 07:01 Why Country Style Keeps Him Coming Back 08:39 Growing Without Losing the Culture 09:10 What’s Next for Wood Family Q 12:01 Introducing Dr. Howard Conyers 13:14 Dr. Howard Conyers 14:30 The Black History of American Barbecue 15:15 Trench Barbecue Across the South 16:35 Preserving the Whole-Hog Tradition 18:49 The Gentrification of Barbecue 19:54 Country Style: Our Own Memphis in May 20:49 BBQ History in the Age of AI 21:45 Barbecue, Moonshine & the Stories Still Untold 23:25 Community, Ownership & Working Together 24:48 Country Style Is a Family Reunion 26:25 The Importance of Doing Your Due Diligence Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 Do you wash your meat before cooking it? And what exactly does “washing” meat even mean? On this episode of the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, Brandon, Charlie, Tee and Alton  jump into one of the most persistent—and controversial—conversations in the kitchen: Should you wash or rinse meat before cooking? We're talking chicken, pork chops, ribs, lamb, ground beef and even oxtails. The crew breaks down the difference between rinsing away bone dust or other particles and trying to “clean” meat of bacteria. We also get into vinegar and citrus washes, cross-contamination around the kitchen, faucet aerators, restaurant practices, ground-meat safety and cooking temperatures. And yes… somehow we eventually get to people washing chicken with dish soap. 😂 Where do you stand? Do you wash your meat—or take it straight from the package to prep? Drop your answer in the comments. We already know this one is going to be interesting. 👀🔥 Subscribe to Black Smoke Media for more conversations about BBQ, food, culture and the people behind it. 0:00 Should You Wash Your Meat? | News Report 0:37 Welcome to Black Smoke Barbecue 1:51 The Great Meat-Washing Debate Begins 3:34 What Does “Washing Meat” Actually Mean? 4:41 Water, Vinegar, Citrus… and SOAP?! 6:03 Bone Dust on Pork Chops 7:45 Cleaning Chicken vs. “Cleaning” Bacteria 8:43 Bone Fragments on Lamb 9:24 Charlie Used to Rinse Ground Beef?! 12:33 Alton Joins the Meat-Washing Debate 13:42 How Rinsing Chicken Can Spread Bacteria 14:19 Charlie's Chicken-Tub Method  16:04 How Your Faucet Aerator Spreads Water 18:16 Cross-Contamination Around the Kitchen 20:16 Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Kitchen 23:06 Vinegar & Lime: Does It Make Meat Taste Better? 24:46 The “Raw Dogged” Chicken Challenge  25:06 Does Washing Oxtails Change the Flavor? 26:38 Are Vegetables More Dangerous?  29:24 Why Ground Meat Requires Extra Care 30:18 Would You Eat a Medium Burger? 31:47 Pork Chops Don't Have to Be Sawdust 32:41 When Meat Smells Wrong, Don't Cook It 33:33 Cooking Temperatures: It's Not Just 165°F 35:10 Final Food-Safety Advice 36:04 Please Don't Wash Chicken With Dish Soap  36:50 Black Smoke Barbecue | Closing #BlackSmokeBarbecue #BBQ #FoodSafety #Barbecue #Cooking Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 What if better barbecue didn't have to be complicated? James Beard Award-winning cookbook author and chef Noah Galuten joins the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast to talk about his new cookbook, Grill Time, his approach to making grilling simpler and more approachable, and what he's learned cooking alongside barbecue legend Kevin Bludso. Noah gets into some of the techniques and recipes behind Grill Time, including the surprising reason he puts mayonnaise on fish before grilling, miso butter corn, pit-smoked black cod, honey balsamic pork tenderloin, beer brats and his approach to making a better turkey burger. His mayo technique, for example, helps seasoning adhere, promotes browning and helps keep fish from sticking to the grill.  We also go behind the scenes of Barbecue Smokeout, Noah's Tastemade series with Kevin Bludso, including how their hot-and-fast vs. low-and-slow cooking styles work together, what goes into filming those marathon BBQ cook days, and what's coming next for the show. Noah also breaks down one of his favorite cooks from the series: barbecued oxtail spaghetti vs. Kevin Bludso's smoked oxtails. 🎁 WIN A COPY OF NOAH GALUTEN'S GRILL TIME! We're giving away TWO copies of Grill Time. TO ENTER: ▶️ Watch this episode on YOUTUBE and leave your entry in the YOUTUBE COMMENTS ONLY. Tell us one BBQ or grilling question you've always wanted answered. For example: “How do I get crispy skin on grilled chicken?” “How do I keep fish from sticking to the grill?” “How do I achieve better bark?” ⚠️ Comments made on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok DO NOT count as giveaway entries. Your entry must be posted in the comments of THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO. 📅 Entries close: September 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET 🏆 Winners announced: September 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET 🇺🇸 Open to the 48 contiguous U.S. states only Grill Time is available now wherever books are sold. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast 01:05 Meet Noah Galuten and Grill Time 01:36 Making grilling simple and approachable 05:32 Why vegetarian grilling belongs in the book 06:47 The mayonnaise-on-fish grilling trick 08:55 Miso butter corn and grilled black cod 11:29 Honey balsamic pork tenderloin 12:36 Barbecue Smokeout and the Netflix pickup 15:16 Behind the scenes of a barbecue cooking show 18:24 Noah's favorite cook: barbecued oxtail spaghetti 20:12 Beer brats: grill first or poach first? 22:18 Turkey burgers, sprouts and a better patty 24:34 Grill Time giveaway, socials and book tour 26:41 New season updates and where to watch Barbecue Smokeout 28:20 Final giveaway reminder and sign-off 🔥 LIKE • COMMENT • SUBSCRIBE and join us for more conversations about BBQ, the people behind it, and the culture surrounding the smoke. #NoahGaluten #KevinBludso #BBQ #GrillTime #BlackSmokeBarbecue Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

Every great barbecue event has a story... and Summer Royale is one worth sharing. Join us as  @pitmastercheez   (Stan), Tyrone  @tyronemanning9686   T-Dub BBQ and the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast discuss everything coming to the 4th Annual Summer Róyal in Dillon, South Carolina. What started as a fundraiser for a classmate battling cancer has grown into one of the Southeast's most meaningful barbecue events—bringing together pitmasters, families and the community to support local cancer patients while celebrating whole hog barbecue, competition and fellowship. In this episode you'll hear about: 🔥 Whole Hog Competition 🍗 Chicken Wing Shootout 🐖 Pitmaster Meet & Greet 🎁 Giveaways including a vehicle, TVs, premium car wash packages and more 🎓 The new Toni Graves Scholarship Initiative ❤️ Why giving back is the heart of Summer Royale Whether you're a competition cook, backyard pitmaster, or simply love authentic barbecue culture, this is an event you won't want to miss. 📍 Summer Royale City of Dillon Sports Complex 1201 Hwy 34 Dillon, South Carolina 📅 Labor Day Weekend 2026 Friday Night Meet, Greet & Eat (FREE) Saturday Festival & Competition 🎟 Admission: Adults: $20 Children (12 & under): $10 Military Discount Available If you're unable to attend but would still like to support the mission, donation information is provided in the video. 🔥 Subscribe for more barbecue stories, pitmaster interviews, competitions and behind-the-scenes content from across America. 👍🏾 Like the video 💬 Leave a comment telling us your favorite barbecue festival. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss another episode. Donation Disclaimer The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast/Black Smoke Media does not collect or distribute donations for Summer Royale. Any donation information shown in this video is provided solely at the request of the event organizers. Please direct all donations and questions to Summer Royale using the payment methods and contact information displayed during the video. 00:00 Welcome to Dillon, South Carolina 00:22 Introducing the Summer Royale Special 01:31 What is Summer Royale? 03:00 The Mission Behind the Event 04:38 Why This Cause Matters 06:07 How People Can Donate 08:02 Why Summer Royale Feels Different 09:19 Giveaways, Cars & Community 10:56 Friday Night Pitmaster Meet & Greet 12:58 Friday Night Fish Fry 14:17 New Scholarship Initiative 17:21 Competition Categories & Teams 20:03 Event Details & Admission 21:04 Family Friendly Atmosphere 23:07 Why You Should Attend 24:39 Friday Meet, Greet & Eat 26:24 Community Before Competition 26:44 Final Invitation 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 STORIES FROM THE SMOKE | Chapter Four: When Barbecue Becomes A Mission At Country Style Cookoff, barbecue is about much more than trophies. It's about the people. In Chapter 4 of our Stories From The Smoke series, we sit down with Tyrone Manning, better known as Da Rib King. Tyrone's barbecue journey has taken him through years of competition, countless lessons, and plenty of losses along the way. But his biggest impact has never been measured by trophies. From fundraising for classmates battling cancer to creating opportunities through scholarships and community events, Tyrone has built a legacy around using barbecue as a way to bring people together. In this episode, we explore the story behind the crown, the passion behind the ribs, and why Country Style Cookoff represents something bigger than competition. Welcome to Stories From The Smoke. #bbq #barbecue #countrystylecookoff #pitmaster #datribking #bbqcommunity 🔥 Subscribe for the next chapter of Stories From the Smoke as we continue exploring the people, traditions, and culture that make barbecue more than just food. Special Thanks: Aerial footage courtesy of Stanley Parker | True North Aerial Imaging for capturing stunning aerial perspectives of the 2026 Country Style Cook Off. Follow True North Aerial Imaging: https://www.youtube.com/@UCyTWwBglbPrc8my-oICiVTA  Special Thanks Special thanks to  @KuttDifferent   for allowing us to use B-roll footage in this episode. 🎥 Original Video: https://youtu.be/yc94NtcJJ94?si=g6wI2M3IF1pKHAjH 📺 Subscribe to Kutt Different: https://www.youtube.com/@KuttDifferent We appreciate your support and are grateful to be able to showcase your work. #CountryStyleCookoff #StoriesFromTheSmoke #BlackSmokeBBQ #PitmasterCheez #CJsBBQ #Barbecue #LiveFire #BBQCulture #SouthernBBQ Chapters 0:00 — Meet the Rib King 1:36 — Six years at the Country Style Cook-Off 2:08 — Competing, trash talk, and giving back 3:21 — Advice for first-time pitmasters 4:30 — The future of the event 5:34 — How the Rib King name began 7:08 — Fundraisers, giveaways, and a new scholarship 8:12 — What losing has taught him 9:49 — The community of pitmasters 10:19 — Why barbecue brings people together 11:21 — Promoting the barbecue community 12:22 — Closing thoughts and sign-off Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 STORIES FROM THE SMOKE | Chapter Three: The Voices of Barbecue What makes the Country Style Cookoff different from every other barbecue event? It's the people. In Chapter Three of our Stories From the Smoke series, we meet two unforgettable personalities who represent two very different sides of barbecue culture. First, we catch up with Bruce "Boo" Yeomans—a Navy veteran, pitmaster, food truck owner, and one of the leaders helping preserve the history and legacy of Black barbecue. Then we sit down with the one and only Alfred "Spoonfed" McDonald. Known throughout the barbecue world for his legendary trash talk, Spoonfed delivers laughs, stories, competition wisdom, and a reminder that barbecue is about far more than trophies. From smoke-filled cook sites to unforgettable conversations, this episode captures the personalities that make Country Style Cookoff one of the most unique barbecue events in America. Hosted by Art Fennell  @OriginalChannel06    the 10th Anniversary Country Style Cookoff serves as the backdrop for a weekend filled with smoke, fellowship, and unforgettable stories. This isn’t just another barbecue competition. These are the stories behind the smoke. 🔥 Subscribe for the next chapter of Stories From the Smoke as we continue exploring the people, traditions, and culture that make barbecue more than just food. Special Thanks: Aerial footage courtesy of Stanley Parker | True North Aerial Imaging for capturing stunning aerial perspectives of the 2026 Country Style Cook Off. Follow True North Aerial Imaging: https://www.youtube.com/@UCyTWwBglbPrc8my-oICiVTA  🔥 Subscribe for more Stories From the Smoke. 🎥 Produced by Black Smoke Media. #bbq #barbecue #countrystylecookoff #pitmaster #wholehog #fooddocumentary #southernbbq #CountryStyleCookoff #StoriesFromTheSmoke #BlackSmokeBBQ #Barbecue #LiveFire #BBQCulture Chapters 00:00 Introduction to SpoonFed and the barbecue culture 00:19 The story behind the name SpoonFed 02:21 SpoonFed's role in Southern barbecue culture 03:46 Barbecue competition experiences and first-time moments 05:52 The importance of love and passion in barbecue 07:45 Trash talk and competition mindset 09:30 Who is SpoonFed's biggest rival in trash talk 11:05 Advice for aspiring pitmasters 12:38 Favorite proteins and cooking preferences 14:43 Challenges and magic tricks in barbecue 17:33 Why the Country Style Cook-Off is unmatched 19:24 Opinions on pellet grills and traditional methods 20:55 Closing thoughts and the spirit of barbecue Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 STORIES FROM THE SMOKE | Chapter Two: Where the Smoke Comes Alive Country Style Cookoff 2026 in Blenheim, South Carolina brings together pitmasters, families, and barbecue lovers from across the country for a celebration of food, culture, and community. In Chapter Two of Stories From the Smoke, we go beyond the competition and spend time with the people who make Country Style special. We first catch up with Chris Joyner of CJ's BBQ and More  @cjsbbqmorellc1464   whose larger-than-life personality, legendary Frytanic fish fryer, and passion for serving others have made him one of the event’s most recognizable figures. From there, we sit down with Stan “Pitmaster Cheez” Battle  @pitmastercheez   for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, barbecue culture, competition, and what it really takes to build a career around live fire. Hosted by Art Fennell  @OriginalChannel06   the 10th Anniversary Country Style Cookoff serves as the backdrop for a weekend filled with smoke, fellowship, and unforgettable stories. This isn’t just another barbecue competition. These are the stories behind the smoke. 🔥 Subscribe for the next chapter of Stories From the Smoke as we continue exploring the people, traditions, and culture that make barbecue more than just food. Special Thanks: Aerial footage courtesy of Stanley Parker | True North Aerial Imaging for capturing stunning aerial perspectives of the 2026 Country Style Cook Off. Follow True North Aerial Imaging: https://www.youtube.com/@UCyTWwBglbPrc8my-oICiVTA  #CountryStyleCookoff #StoriesFromTheSmoke #BlackSmokeBBQ #PitmasterCheez #CJsBBQ #Barbecue #LiveFire #BBQCulture #SouthernBBQ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast and the event 02:22 Growth of the event and competition highlights 04:18 Live from the event with CJ's BBQ and More 05:22 Interview with Pitmaster Cheez and his journey 06:14 The evolution of barbecue and its gentrification 10:53 Why everyone should experience Country Style BBQ 11:55 Reflections on the Juneteenth fish fry 12:40 The significance of barbecue as a cultural holiday 13:24 Pitmaster Cheez on his brand and social media 14:06 Closing remarks and encouragement to follow the podcast Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 🔥 STORIES FROM THE SMOKE | Chapter One: Daryl "Sweetie" Walker There's something special happening in barbecue—and it's bigger than what's happening on the grill. Welcome to Stories From the Smoke, a new documentary series from The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast that goes beyond the food to tell the stories of the people preserving, shaping, and advancing Black barbecue culture. For our first chapter, Charlie and Tee traveled to Blenheim, South Carolina, for the Country Style Cookoff 2026, hosted by Art Fennell of @OriginalChannel06   While many came to capture the sights, sounds, and incredible food, we set out to capture something different—the conversations. In this episode, we sit down with World Champion Pitmaster Daryl "Sweetie" Walker of Sweetie's BBQ  @darylwalkersweetiesbarbq1707   an honest discussion about competition barbecue, faith, perseverance, mentorship, and what it means to represent Black pitmasters on some of the biggest stages in barbecue. From his early memories around the family grill to competing across the country, Daryl shares the experiences, challenges, and mindset that have made him one of the most respected names in the sport today. This is more than an interview. This is the first chapter in a documentary series exploring the stories, traditions, and legacy of Black barbecue. In this episode: 🔥 Daryl's journey from backyard barbecue to World Champion 🔥 Competition BBQ and the pursuit of excellence 🔥 Faith, perseverance, and overcoming adversity 🔥 Mentoring the next generation of pitmasters 🔥 Why the Country Style Cookoff has become a celebration of community and culture Stories From the Smoke A documentary series exploring the stories, traditions, and legacy of Black barbecue. New chapters coming throughout the summer. 🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast Hosted by Charlie and Tee #CountryStyleCookoff #BlackSmokeBBQ #DarylWalker #SweetiesBBQ #CompetitionBBQ #Barbecue #Pitmaster #BBQCulture #BlackBarbecue #BBQPodcast #StoriesFromTheSmoke #bbq  00:00 Cinematic Opening 01:10 Meet World Champion Daryl Walker 03:20 Why Country Style Cookoff Is Different 06:05 Competition BBQ & Helping Others Win 08:40 Facing Challenges With Faith 13:30 Carrying the Torch for Black Pitmasters 17:10 Advice for the Next Generation 19:20 What's Next for Sweetie's BBQ 20:15 Final Thoughts Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 🔥 Episode 99 – Tony McNeill Jr. (T Nasty's BBQ) What separates a backyard cook from someone who truly understands barbecue? In this episode of The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, Brandon, T-Dubb, Alton, Charlie, and special guest Tony McNeill Jr. of  @tnasty7711  BBQ dive into the details that most people never think about when it comes to barbecue. From airflow and pit design to fire management, custom smoker builds, reverse flow cookers, Texas barbecue influences, and the skills required to master live-fire cooking, Tony shares decades of hard-earned knowledge and experience. The conversation explores why understanding your pit matters, how fire behaves inside different smokers, what makes certain cookers perform better than others, and why mastering the fundamentals is still the foundation of great barbecue. Topics include: 🔥 Fire management and live-fire cooking 🔥 Building custom offset smokers 🔥 Reverse flow smoker pros and cons 🔥 Airflow, heat movement, and pit design 🔥 Texas barbecue influences 🔥 Country Style Cookoff culture 🔥 What it means to be a pitmaster 🔥 Learning through experience and repetition 🔥 Supporting the barbecue community Whether you're cooking on an offset, kettle, drum, gravity-fed cooker, or pellet grill, this episode is packed with barbecue knowledge that can help improve your craft. 👇 Join the conversation: What's the most important barbecue skill you've learned? 🎙️ Subscribe to The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast 📺 Watch our full episode playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-o5Ge4Yk6JPytAP5Tx-wnChlU4rcZ6-l Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 What does it really mean to be a Pitmaster? In this episode of The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, Darren Carter of  @CartersBBQ216   the crew to tackle one of the most debated topics in barbecue today: the overuse of the title "Pitmaster." With social media making barbecue more popular than ever, many backyard cooks, influencers, and content creators are quick to claim the title. But Darren argues that mastering fire, understanding the craft, respecting the history, and putting in years of work are what truly separate a barbecue cook from a Pitmaster. The conversation dives into: 🔥 Fire management and live-fire cooking 🔥 Pellet grills vs traditional barbecue methods 🔥 Social media influence in barbecue 🔥 Why experience matters 🔥 The difference between convenience and craftsmanship 🔥 Respecting barbecue's history and traditions 🔥 Why everybody isn't a Pitmaster Whether you cook on an offset, kettle, drum, gravity-fed cooker, pellet grill, or open fire, this episode will definitely make you think. 👇🏾 Join the conversation in the comments: What do YOU think makes someone a Pitmaster? 0:00 Intro & B-Roll 1:30 Welcome Back Darren Carter 2:35 Why Everybody Calls Themselves a Pitmaster 3:23 Darren's Definition of a True Pitmaster 5:16 Fire, Meat & Barbecue Fundamentals 7:33 "We Are Not The Same" – The Traeger Story 8:02 Social Media, Influencers & BBQ Credentials 10:13 Why Darren Calls Himself a Barbecue Cook 11:25 Everybody Wants To Be a Chef Too 12:33 Pellet Grills and the Pitmaster Debate 14:54 Respecting the Craft 16:06 What Actually Makes Someone a Pitmaster? 18:19 Fire Management 101 20:12 Learning The Basics Before Technology 21:04 Meeting People Where They Are 23:51 BBQ Gadgets, Meat Probes & Convenience 25:13 Everybody Wants The Title, Not The Work 26:17 Instant Gratification Culture 27:11 Social Currency & BBQ Fame 29:29 Why Credentials Matter 31:44 Final Thoughts 33:35 Dry Brining, Boiled Ribs & Outro Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 🔥 From Mississippi roots to California smoke, this episode is packed with barbecue knowledge, hustle, and heart. On this episode of the The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, we sit down with Kris Austin of A&M BBQ and  @SmokingWithAustin   to talk about his journey from backyard cooking and football to becoming one of California wine country’s most respected pitmasters. Kris breaks down: 🔥 Building A&M BBQ from the ground up 🔥 Learning barbecue through YouTube and trial & error 🔥 Sausage making and the Bill Dumas influence 🔥 Texas-style brisket trimming techniques 🔥 Running a BBQ business with limited space and maximum passion 🔥 Wine country barbecue culture in Sonoma County 🔥 Why turkey might actually be his sleeper hit 🔥 The realities of pricing barbecue and protecting quality This episode is full of gems for backyard cooks, aspiring pitmasters, food entrepreneurs, and anyone who loves authentic barbecue culture. Make sure you LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes featuring the people shaping barbecue culture across the country. Follow Kris Austin & A&M BBQ: 📸 Instagram: @ambbqllc 📺 YouTube:  @SmokingWithAustin   🎧 Listen to the podcast everywhere: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Patreon Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue #BBQPodcast #TexasBBQ #CaliforniaBBQ #Brisket #OffsetSmoker #Pitmaster #Barbecue #LiveFireCooking #SmokingWithAustin #AandMBBQ #BlackSmokeBBQ #BBQCulture #FoodPodcast #BBQLife #SonomaCounty #food #foodie

Barbecue is supposed to bring people together. In this episode of The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, we discuss the recent controversy surrounding a competition BBQ incident that led to a permanent IBCA ban after allegations of racist language, threats, and unsportsmanlike conduct surfaced publicly. Joining us is competition pitmaster Steve Strong of Big Wally’s BBQ as we talk about: 🔥 Racism and bigotry in barbecue 🔥 The culture of competition BBQ 🔥 How sanctioning bodies should respond 🔥 Why accountability matters 🔥 Daryl Walker’s reputation in the BBQ community 🔥 Letting the food speak for itself This isn’t drama for clicks. This is a real conversation about respect, inclusion, and protecting the culture of barbecue for everyone. 🎙️ Featuring: Brandon ( @BKCCooks  ) T-Dubb BBQ ( @TDubb-BBQ  ) Steve Strong ( @BigWallysBarbecue  ) 👇 What are your thoughts? Do organizations like IBCA need to take stronger stances moving forward? #BlackSmokeBarbecuePodcast #BBQPodcast #CompetitionBBQ #BarbecueCulture #IBCA #BBQCommunity #TexasBBQ #Pitmaster #BarbecueLife #LiveFireCooking #BBQLife #BlackBBQ #SmokingMeat #BBQTalk #FoodCulture Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 FIRE. SMOKE. COMMUNITY. 🔥 Episode 7 of our Open Fire MeatUp series brings together two legends of barbecue content creation — Malcolm Reed of  @howtobbqright   and Heath Riles of  @HeathRilesBBQ   — live from Hondo, Texas at the unforgettable Open Fire MeatUp hosted by Al Frugoni. In this final episode of the series, we sit down with two of the most respected voices in barbecue to talk about: 🔥 Why Open Fire MeatUp may be the best barbecue event in the world 🔥 The future of live-fire cooking and barbecue culture 🔥 Content creation, podcasts, and building brands in barbecue 🔥 The importance of community and sharing knowledge 🔥 Favorite bites from the event including porchetta, smoked moose, ribs, tacos, and more 🔥 What barbecue means beyond the food Malcolm Reed reflects on the journey from filming in the “yellow kitchen days” to building one of the most influential barbecue platforms on YouTube, while Heath Riles talks about growing a global barbecue brand from a small town into stores and kitchens around the world. This episode is the perfect finale to the Open Fire MeatUp series because it connects every style of barbecue — competition, backyard, live-fire, traditional, and content-driven cooking — all around one thing: cooking over fire. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this series possible. Special thanks to: 🔥 Exhibit Supply 🔥 Harder Charcoal 🔥 Open Fire MeatUp 🔥 Every pitmaster, creator, and fire cook who shared their story with us 🎥 Subscribe to the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast for more interviews, barbecue culture, live-fire cooking, and behind-the-scenes stories from around the world of BBQ. Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 Episode 6 of the Open Fire MeatUp series is bigger than BBQ. We sat down with Thyron Mathews of  @ThyronMathewsBBQ  in  Hondo, Texas—and what started as a conversation about food turned into something much deeper. From humble beginnings—traveling to Florida to Iowa—to building a BBQ brand, landing on national TV shows like BBQ Brawl, and betting his life savings on his sauce and rub line… Thyron’s story is built on faith, resilience, and sacrifice. But what really stood out? 👉 The role of family 👉 The support of his wife—his “secret weapon” 👉 His relationship with his son Dallas 👉 And the reality of what it really takes to chase this dream Meanwhile, at the MeatUp, Thyron brought traditional BBQ to a space filled with open-fire and global cooking styles—proving that no matter how you cook… The heart of BBQ is the same. 🔥 In this episode: Smokehouse burgers with chimichurri aioli Perloo rice and Southern flavors Behind-the-scenes of BBQ competitions & TV The truth about starting a BBQ business Why there is no Plan B This isn’t just about food. This is about purpose. 🔥 Subscribe for more from the Open Fire MeatUp series 🎧 Listen to The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast everywhere 📲 Follow for BBQ stories, recipes, and behind-the-scenes Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥 The debate isn’t over… it just got louder. After the reaction to our last episode, we HAD to revisit the 3-2-1 ribs method—and this time we brought in Daryl Smith of Bad Beast Barbecue to help break it all down. From backyard cooks to seasoned pitmasters, everybody has an opinion… but here’s the real question: 👉 Is 3-2-1 actually the best way to cook ribs… or just the most popular? 👉 And at what point do ribs stop being BBQ? We dive into: 🔥 The truth about 3-2-1 ribs 🔥 Why cook time depends on your smoker, fuel, and experience 🔥 The difference between BBQ ribs vs “BBQ-flavored” ribs 🔥 Parboiling, oven-finishing, and restaurant shortcuts 🔥 Why people get so emotional about their method (hint: it’s deeper than food) Bottom line: There’s more than one way to cook ribs… but not every way is barbecue. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the 321 Ribs Controversy 03:14 Diverse Cooking Techniques and Preferences 05:53 Addressing Viewer Reactions and Comments 09:05 The Nature of Barbecue: Definitions and Techniques 12:00 Parboiling Ribs: A Culinary Debate 15:00 Culinary Standards and Personal Preferences 17:02 Nostalgia and Convenience in Cooking 18:02 Rib Cooking Techniques and Controversies 18:57 The Restaurant Barbecue Experience 21:59 Expectations vs. Reality in Dining 24:56 Defining Barbecue: Tradition vs. Innovation 27:59 Culinary Memories and Personal Connections 💬 Join the conversation: Drop a comment and let us know— Are you team 3-2-1, hot & fast, or something else? Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor. 👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order! 🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last. 🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com 👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue 📲 Connect With Us Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue