🔥 Welcome to The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast – where flavor, culture, and community come together at the pit. 🔥

In this inspiring episode, host Brandon and co-host Tee sit down with Christopher Prieto, the pitmaster and owner of Prime Barbecue and Prime STQ, to explore his incredible journey through the world of barbecue. From blending Texas, North Carolina, and Puerto Rican influences to launching a new dining concept that redefines what barbecue can be, Christopher shares how family, culture, and education fuel his passion for the craft.

🍖 Inside This Episode:

• Why barbecue embodies culture and community

• How moving and adapting can open doors to new opportunities

• The connection between family heritage and culinary creativity

• Blending Tex-Mex and Puerto Rican flavors into traditional barbecue

• Lessons from competition BBQ and the importance of resilience

• The story behind Prime STQ, where barbecue meets steakhouse

• Building a restaurant during the COVID-19 pandemic and staying resilient

• The role of hospitality—why great service matters as much as great food

• Signature dishes that honor family roots, like Barbecue Rice, inspired by his mother

• The creation of The Ultimate School of Barbecue, teaching pitmasters of all levels

• How education and mentorship strengthen the barbecue community

• Why legacy in barbecue is about more than just food—it’s about connection

🔥 Whether you’re a pitmaster, a foodie, or someone chasing your dream, this episode is packed with lessons in resilience, flavor, and family tradition.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to keep the fire burning and support BBQ culture around the world.

#BlackSmokeBBQ #ChristopherPrieto #PrimeBarbecue #PrimeSTQ #BBQPodcast #BarbecueCulture #TexMexBBQ #PuertoRicanBBQ #CompetitionBBQ #UltimateSchoolOfBarbecue #BarbecueEducation #BlackPitmasters #BBQCommunity #GrillAndGrow #BarbecueLegacy

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast

06:17 Meet Christopher Prieto: A Fusion of Barbecue Traditions

14:24 Incorporating Puerto Rican Flavors into Barbecue

21:48 The Journey into Competition Barbecue

25:31 The Leap of Faith: Opening Prime During COVID

30:17 Hospitality: The Heart of Barbecue

36:09 Primo Latin Cuisine: A Culinary Fusion

51:37 Prime STQ: Redefining the Steakhouse Experience

54:28 Reimagining the Steakhouse Experience

01:00:37 Creating a Family-Friendly Dining Atmosphere

01:04:58 Lessons from Competition Barbecue

01:07:51 The Ultimate School of Barbecue

01:15:54 Exciting Future Ventures