Not The Best Podcast

I’m not entirely sure this episode should have been released.

I sat down with my buddy Chef Binoto at Memphis in May for what was supposed to be a normal conversation.

It was not.

This may officially be the most unhinged episode of Not the Best Podcast yet.

We somehow make our way from culinary experiences and life in the food world to tattoos, the definitive ranking of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and a whole bunch of conversations that probably should have stayed in Memphis.

Special guests keep randomly showing up. There are puppets. There are interruptions. There are questionable decisions.

Apparently this is what happens when you let people drink, cook, hang out with their friends all day in the Memphis sun, and then put microphones in front of them.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy whatever the hell this is.

One recommendation:

🎧 WEAR HEADPHONES.

You may not want the people around you knowing you listened to this.

You may also want to clear your browser history afterward.

Welcome to Not the Best Podcast.

This one really lives up to the name.

The episode features my friend, Eliseo from Fuegos del Norte in Germany, discussing his multicultural experience, meeting women, and the wine culture in Germany. We cover Eliseo's experiences growing up in Argentina, his family traditions, and the cultural significance of asado. The crux of it all, we explore the connections and friendships formed through barbecue.

This week on Not The Best Podcast, I’m joined by certified champ, Christie Vanover, better known as Girls Can Grill.

Christie is a multi-Grand Champion pitmaster, and founder of Girls Can Grill. She’s also helped shape the sport beyond the cook site as a certified judge, competition organizer, and cofounder of the Live Fire Cooking Association.

We get into everything from growing up in the country and her love for the outdoors to Jem and the Holograms, her journey through barbecue, and where she thinks the world of live-fire competition cooking is headed.

Christie is also currently competing alongside Susie Bulloch on Food Network’s Pitmasters, and for what it’s worth, they're my odds-on favorite to take the whole thing.

With Ty out of town this week, my good friend Carla DiLorenzo jumps in to help me hold down the intro and outro.

Another good conversation about barbecue, competition, life, and all the weird stuff in between.

This is Not The Best Podcast.

This week on Not The Best Podcast, I sit down with one of the biggest personalities in live-fire cooking, Renzo Frias. We recorded this episode during FatOxFest while Renzo was in Arizona, with our good friend Juan De La Cruz joining us to help bridge the occasional language gap.

Renzo's story is anything but ordinary. We dive into what it was like growing up as an Argentinian living in Peru, how he unexpectedly became an internet sensation thanks to his infamous guinea pig cooking videos, and some of the hilarious hustles, including smuggling electronics across the border to make a little extra money.

Beyond the viral videos, we talk about the passion behind what he's building in Peru. Renzo is the founder of Festival Internacioual de Parilla, taking place August 8 in Lima. An event that is widely considered the country's premier live-fire cooking event. It's also the only all-you-can-eat barbecue festival in Peru, bringing together chefs, pitmasters, and live fire enthusiasts from around the world.

We also kick off the episode a little differently this week. Ty had to record the intro remotely from Maryland while I was traveling for work in Sacramento, proving that no matter where we are, we'll still find a way to make Not The Best Podcast happen.

If you've only seen Renzo through his viral videos, this episode will show you the person behind the internet fame!

This one's been a long time coming.

My buddy Mel Chmilar Jr. (Dark Side of the Grill) finally sat down with me, and somehow we managed to balance absolute chaos with one of the most real conversations we've had.

If you know Mel, you know he's the guy screaming "FIRE IN THE HOLE!", cooking all over the world, and somehow turning every event into a party. But this episode isn't just about barbecue. We talk about the road that's taken him around the globe, the memories we've made together, and some of the personal battles he's been carrying behind the scenes.

More than anything, Mel wanted people to know it's okay to talk. You never know what someone is going through.

And because no episode is ever normal... Ty randomly joins us at the end while the three of us are somehow in three different countries.

Give it a watch, leave a comment, and let us know your favorite Mel story.

Episode 6 is live, and this one was a blast.

I sat down with my buddy Randy Pauly, the head pitmaster for Buc-ee's. If you've ever been to a Buc-ee's, you know the barbecue is no joke... every location is cranking out hundreds of whole briskets every single day. Randy was in Arizona helping open the state's first Buc-ee's, so we took the opportunity to sit down and talk.

And honestly, this isn't the Randy most people get to hear from.

We talk about growing up, his first barbecue competition, the lessons he's learned along the way, and why humility still matters no matter how successful you become. He even shares the wild story of how he ended up helping save the life of a famous singer. More than anything, it's a conversation about being adaptable, staying grounded, and making the most of whatever opportunity is in front of you.

Then, after all that wisdom, I sat down with Ty for the intro and outro... and let's just say we immediately ignored everything we learned. The conversation went so far off the rails I'm pretty sure I might be looking for a new co-host by Episode 7.

Check out Episode 6 of Not The Best Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

This week on Not The Best Podcast, I sat down with my buddy Dave Williamson.

Dave's a comedian, restaurant owner, festival organizer, husband, competitive bbqer, coach, mentor, dad, and somehow still finds time to do it all. We talked about everything from Vegas adventures and barbecue to building businesses, creating community, and balancing life when your schedule is packed.

What I like about Dave is that he's built some really cool things without trying to force it. He's all about relationships, supporting people, and letting things grow the right way.

A lot of laughs, a few wild stories, and plenty of good conversation in this one.

Check out Episode 5 with Dave Williamson, available now wherever you listen to podcasts.

A conversation w my guy Al Frugoni, aka the king of open fire. Coming from Argentina, Al’s been a huge mentor and friend to me for years, so getting to sit down and really talk through his journey was special.

We got into everything… how he made the jump from Argentina to the US, building businesses from the ground up, getting punched in the face by COVID, and still finding ways to adapt and keep moving forward. The dude is the definition of resilient.

We also talked about how social media completely changed the game, why cooking over open fire brings people together in a way nothing else does, and how community, family, and real relationships are at the center of everything he does.

Honestly this episode felt more like two friends catching up than an interview. A lot of laughs, a lot of perspective, and a reminder that the best things in life usually happen around good food and good people.

In a world flooded with quick-and-easy meals, Uncle Chico reminds us of the power of slow-cooked tradition, good storytelling, and community.

Most barbecue lovers and food adventurers are missing out if they haven’t heard Uncle Chico’s secret to turning simple bites into unforgettable experiences.

In this episode, Rico, AKA Uncle Chico, spills the beans on everything from his secret barbecue tips to the stories behind the food that brings people together.

Get ready for an authentic blend of humor, culture, and culinary wisdom that will leave you craving more than just a plate of tacos.

You'll discover his approach to regional Mexican cuisine, why he’s obsessed with enchiladas, and the importance of storytelling behind every dish he cooks. He also breaks down how even simple ingredients carry history and meaning, emphasizing that food is a gateway to cultural connection.

We break down practical tips like the right way to make taquitos, the difference between Mexican street food and American variations, and how to elevate everyday dishes without complication.

Whether you’re a seasoned pit boss, a home cook, or just love a good laugh over tacos, this episode will inspire you to see food through a richer lens. Perfect for foodies, barbecue enthusiasts, and anyone craving genuine stories and flavors, this episode invites you into Uncle Chico’s kitchen, so grab a taco, turn up the volume, and prepare for a session of hard-earned wisdom, hearty laughs, and a whole lot of deliciousness.

Episode 2 kicks off with a recap of FatOxfest 2026, highlighting the community spirit, teamwork, and absolutley banger of a time we had. We cover a range of topics, including cultural food experiences, travel, time travel analogies, childhood cartoons, and cultural influences. Juan shares his culinary experiences from different cultures, we discuss the implications of time travel, and explore the impact of childhood cartoons on cultural influences.