The BBQ Beat Podcast

Visit: https://bbqbeat.com/howard-conyers/

This episode features a talk with Dr. Howard Conyers, NASA Rocket Scientist, and Southern Food and Culture Historian.

Dr. Howard Conyers - NASA Engineer, Pitmaster, Food Historian

I recorded this episode several months back and was fortunate to have a nice long conversation with Dr. Conyers. As you have come to know, the interviews here at The BBQ Beat Podcast are long-format. As such, it’s not unusual for conversations to go into the one-hour mark.

Fortunately for us, Dr. Conyers made time in his busy schedule to give us an in-depth look at his life and passions. To that end, though it takes a little while to get into some of the food-specific elements of our conversation, I think you’ll gain a fuller appreciation of what Dr. Conyers is attempting to relay through his work.

As you hang with us through this conversation, you’ll learn
about Dr. Conyers’ life on his family farm outside of Manning, South Carolina and how that life infused him with a strong work ethic and set the foundation for his love of engineering and science.

After discussing Dr. Conyer’s selection as part of Southern Living Magazine’s 2018 Southerners of the Year – along side James Beard Award Winner Chef Rodney Scott - We’ll discuss some of the familial aspects of BBQ as Dr. Conyers recalls them, including ways BBQ culture and tradition have been handed down from one generation to the next.

 

Of course, no conversation with Dr. Conyers is complete
without talking about his 10-episode PBS Digital Series Nourish – viewable on YouTube. The Nourish series focuses on food – what it says about who we are, where we're from and the ties that connect us. The series explores the people, culture and SCIENCE behind what we eat - from farm to table. I highly recommend you check out this series as it really is food for your mind, body and soul.

Catch Up on Past BBQ Beat Episodes

• How to Market BBQ Rubs and Sauces with Tim Forrest
• Talking Artisinal Cast Iron with Isaac Morton of Smithey Ironware
• Malcom and Rachelle Reed talk Food, Family and Living that BBQ Life

Visit: https://bbqbeat.com/malcom-reed/

Hey everyone, and welcome to another episode of the BBQ Beat Podcast. This episode features Malcom Reed and his wife Rachelle. Many of you know the Reeds via the outstanding How to BBQ Right YouTube videos they put out. With just around 520,000 subscribers, their content keeps getting better and better. If you haven’t subscribed, please do so.

In addition to their YouTube channel, Malcom and Schelle operate the How To BBQ Right website located at howtobbqright.com. And… to show just how with the times Malcom and Schelle are… there’s also a How to BBQ Right App you can download from both the Apple App store and Google Play. It’s got a place on my phone’s home screen, and I enjoy the quick access the app provides to recipes as needed.

Some Backstory on This Episode...

This episode was recorded just prior to the Christmas
holidays this past season. It’s a tough job catching the Reeds where you can just sit down and chat with them. So, I was happy to get this chance.

And, my personal thoughts...

A few personal comments here from me about Malcom and
Rachelle Reed. For my money, you won’t find nicer and more open people than these two. When I listen to their podcast episodes, I feel like I’m sitting down with them right in their kitchen. The amount of knowledge Malcom shares can sometimes sneak up on you, because he relays what he knows in such a warm-hearted and conversational manner. But… don’t sleep on the Reeds, folks. I’ve
seen them at work at competition events like the World Food Championships steak division and let me tell you… they were focused and dead on in terms of being ready for that challenge.

Visit: https://bbqbeat.com/hasty-bake-grills/

In this episode of the BBQ Beat Podcast, I talk with Jay Johnsen, noted Hasty-Bake Grills collector and historian about his love of these really cool cookers. Hasty-Bake was founded in 1948 by Grant Hastings. A pioneer in the industry, these charcoal grills or "charcoal ovens" as they were called predate Weber's entry into the marketplace.

Visit: https://bbqbeat.com/2019-world-food-championships-update/

Hey Everyone, and welcome to another episode of The BBQ Beat Podcast. In this episode, I share a conversation I had recently with World Food Championships President and CEO Mike McCloud. During our chat, we discuss some exciting news about the dates, location, and cooking format for the upcoming Final Table event, as well as some exciting changes coming up for the World Food Championships in its new Dallas, TX location.

Download this episode...

Heath Riles of Heath Riles BBQ is someone for whom I've had a lot of respect for some time. I'm proud to call him a friend and appreciate him sitting down and taking time to talk with me for this podcast episode.

Heath shares some of his earliest memories cooking with his family. His recollections on how he got started cooking BBQ competitions mirrors some others you might have heard (or experienced) -- with drinking and partying playing a big role at first and an increase in focus and effort as the desire for more consistent results takes hold.

I don't know too many competition cooks who have done as well as Heath has on both the KCBS and MBN circuits. These two sanctioning bodies run such different styles of contents that it's not the norm to have teams dominate at both levels like Heath has.

Awards and Accolades

• 2013 – Whole Hog Team of the Year – Memphis BBQ Network
• 2014 – Team of the Year – Memphis BBQ Network
• 2014 – 3rd overall BBQ Division of the World Food Championships in Las Vegas
• 2015 – Won 12 Grand Championships ou tof 13 Memphis BBQ Network Contests competed in.
• 2015 – 5 Perfect “180” Scores in Kansas City BBQ Society Contests
• 2016 – Team of the Year – Memphis BBQ Network
• 2016 – Finals in BBQ Division at the World Food Championship in Orange Beach, Alabama
• 2017 – Team of the Year – Memphis BBQ Network
• 2017 – 9 Grand Championships in Memphis BBQ Network
• 2017 – 6 Grand Championships in Kansas City BBQ Society
• 2017 – Perfect “180” score in Brisket Division at the World Championship Jack Daniels BBQ Contest.

Wide Open Teaching Methods

I've attended a Heath Riles competition BBQ class and can tell you that he lays it out there like few others I've seen. Recipes, methods, tips and tricks... attendees get it all. If you ever have a chance to attend one, do it. If you're a non-competitive cook, your friends and family will be wowed by what you're able to do. If you compete - you'll start walking more often. I promise.

Heath Riles BBQ - Competition Rib Recipe

Check out this video on How to Cook Competition Ribs Heath did with Malcom Reed over at How to BBQ Right. At the time of this posting - the video has received 1,263,244 views.

https://youtu.be/Hy5wnwuIZ2M

Heath Riles BBQ - Blackened Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Here's the blackened chicken sandwich recipe mentioned in this interview. You can find it over on the BBQ Guru YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/N7rFUtc5TBU

Connect with Heath Riles

Want to connect with Heath? Awesome. You can find him via the following social media channels:

• Heath Riles BBQ Website
• Heath Riles BBQ on Facebook
• Heath Riles BBQ on Instagram
• Heath Riles BBQ on Twitter

And lastly, check out these past popular BBQ Beat posts...

Visit: https://bbqbeat.com/christie-vanover-girls-can-grill/

In this episode of the BBQ Beat Podcast, I talk with Christie Vanover, who runs the food blog Girls Can Grill, as well as the competition BBQ team by the same name. Christie has a long history of writing about food, as well as a strong academic and professional background in marketing communications. 

Visit: https://bbqbeat.com/craig-verhage/

With twenty plus years cooking competition BBQ, much of it as part of the famed Ubons BBQ family enterprise, Craig Verhage knows a thing or two about a thing or two. This conversation was a real pleasure for me, and I hope you enjoy listening to Craig's stories and life lessons shared here.

Visit: https://bbqbeat.com/green-mountain-grills/

Green Mountain Grills Distribution, Sales and Customer Service

In this episode of the BBQ Beat Podcast, I take a full 360-degree view of the Green Mountain Grills operation. As you listen in, you'll hear from the sales, distribution, and end-user standpoint where GMG Grills is concerned. Likely, you've realized that some BBQ Smoker and Grill manufacturers use direct sales models, while others use a distribution model. There are benefits to each.

Take a listen to the chat we have here with Jason Baker of Green Mountain Grills, Kyle Storms with Palm Coast Sales, B.J. Mannix with Mannix Pools and Grills, and Jim Elser of Sweet Smoke Q.

A Few Words about Jason Baker and Green Mountain Grills

Jason Baker, Director of Business Development with Green Mountain Grills has been a long-time friend of the BBQ Beat. He contacted me not long after this site launched in 2014 and asked if I'd like to learn more about GMG's pellet grills and the company overall. He sent me out their Davy Crockett Pellet Grill to review and we had a long conversation about how Green Mountain Grills got started, how they set up their business model and their focus on customer service and satisfaction.

Since that time, I've been very happy to share out and post updates on what Green Mountain Grills has going on. There are other grill manufacturers out there putting out quality pellet grills. I'll say this - you'll be hard pressed to find a company more focused on delighting its customers and providing top notch customer service.

Get to Know More About Green Mountain Grills

Jim Elser of Sweet Smoke Q - Competition Style Ribs on the Green Mountain Grill

https://youtu.be/3-eJMQU-onk

Jim Elser of Sweet Smoke Q - Spicy Shrimp Skewers on the Green Mountain Grill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt-_0xfa_So

Jim Elser of Sweet Smoke Q - Cedar Planked Bourbon Glazed Salmon

https://youtu.be/S4IauurhcUQ

Sterling Smith from Loot N' Booty BBQ - Bosco Pizza using the GMG Pizza Attachment 

https://youtu.be/If_FidXboHI

Connect with Green Mountain Grills and Guests from This Episode

Please show Green Mountain Grills, Jim Elser, and Mannix Pools and Grills some love by connecting with them via the following social media channels.

Green Mountain Grills 

• Green Mountain Grills Website 
• Green Mountain Grills on Facebook 
• Green Mountain Grills on Instagram 

Sweet Smoke Q 

• Sweet Smoke Q Website
• Sweet Smoke Q on Facebook

Mannix Pools and Grills 

• Mannix Pools and Grills Website 
• Mannix Pools and Grills on Facebook 
• Mannix Pools and Grills on Instagram

The BBQ Beat Podcast is Supported By:

 

  About the Show

The BBQ Beat Podcast, with BBQ Podcast host Kevin Sandridge, shares all that’s good in competition and backyard BBQ and grilling. Guests include competition BBQ pitmasters, food industry insiders, BBQ and grilling product manufacturers, and event promoters from the US as well as abroad. If you love BBQ and have an appreciation for southern culture and live-fire cooking – this is the Barbecue podcast for you.

Check Out These Other BBQ Beat Podcast Episodes

• Episode 23: Arnie Segovia of Smokin’ Lonestar on Family, IBCA BBQ, and His Love of Cue
• Episode 27: Big Green Craig Weekend Grill Party Wrap Up, Shout Outs, and More
• Episode 28: Chad from Kick Ash Basket Talks Invention, Innovation, and Getting After It
• Episode 29: Josh Tahan of True Craft BBQ on Cooking, Craveability, and the Pursuit of Good Food
• Episode 31: Your BBQ Photos and How to Make them Awesome with Mike Lang

Questions, Comments or Suggestions?

Have a question or a podcast guest suggestion? Please leave me a message on my contact page. You can also find me on Instagram and via the BBQ Beat Facebook Page.

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If you enjoy this podcast, please give it a rating and review. Positive ratings and reviews help bring The BBQ Beat Podcast to the attention of other BBQ and Southern Culture lovers who may not be aware of the show.

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Visit: https://bbqbeat.com/jason-ganahl-gque-bbq/

In this episode of the BBQ Beat Podcast, I sit down with Jason Ganahl, owner of GQue BBQ in Colorado to talk about the origins of his restaurant.

Visit: https://bbqbeat.com/susie-bulloch-hey-grill-hey/

In this episode, I talk with Susie Bulloch about the good work she's doing over at her Hey Grill Hey website. Learn how she does what she does and more!