The Low & Slow Barbecue Show: Recent Episodes
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Visit the The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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!
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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!
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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!
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show here!
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.
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!
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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!
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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!
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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!
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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!
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!
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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!
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website!
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.
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!
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website!
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.
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!
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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.
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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!
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue website here!
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, 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.
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!
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.
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 here!
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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue website here!
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 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.
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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!
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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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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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.
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.
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 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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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.
Visit the The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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.
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.
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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 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 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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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 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.
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!
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.
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!
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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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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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 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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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 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 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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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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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 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 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 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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
This episode is sponsored by the Southern BBQ Network. To find out more about the SBBQN, visit their website here!
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.
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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
This episode is sponsored by the Southern BBQ Network. To find out more about the SBBQN, visit their website here!
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.
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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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 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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue website here!
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.
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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue website here!
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.
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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue website here!
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue website here!
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue website here!
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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!
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue website here!
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.)
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue website here!
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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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue website here!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue website here!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue website here!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.
Visit the Low & Slow Barbeque Show website here!
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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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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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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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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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbeque Show website here!
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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.
Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!
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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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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!
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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!
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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!
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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!
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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!
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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.
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 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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.