🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥

STORIES FROM THE SMOKE | Chapter Four: When Barbecue Becomes A Mission

At Country Style Cookoff, barbecue is about much more than trophies.

It's about the people.

In Chapter 4 of our Stories From The Smoke series, we sit down with Tyrone Manning, better known as Da Rib King.

Tyrone's barbecue journey has taken him through years of competition, countless lessons, and plenty of losses along the way. But his biggest impact has never been measured by trophies.

From fundraising for classmates battling cancer to creating opportunities through scholarships and community events, Tyrone has built a legacy around using barbecue as a way to bring people together.

In this episode, we explore the story behind the crown, the passion behind the ribs, and why Country Style Cookoff represents something bigger than competition.

Welcome to Stories From The Smoke.

#bbq #barbecue #countrystylecookoff #pitmaster #datribking #bbqcommunity

🔥 Subscribe for the next chapter of Stories From the Smoke as we continue exploring the people, traditions, and culture that make barbecue more than just food.

Special Thanks:

Aerial footage courtesy of Stanley Parker | True North Aerial Imaging for capturing stunning aerial perspectives of the 2026 Country Style Cook Off.

Follow True North Aerial Imaging:

https://www.youtube.com/@UCyTWwBglbPrc8my-oICiVTA

Special Thanks

Special thanks to @KuttDifferent for allowing us to use B-roll footage in this episode.

🎥 Original Video: https://youtu.be/yc94NtcJJ94?si=g6wI2M3IF1pKHAjH

📺 Subscribe to Kutt Different: https://www.youtube.com/@KuttDifferent

We appreciate your support and are grateful to be able to showcase your work.

#CountryStyleCookoff #StoriesFromTheSmoke #BlackSmokeBBQ #PitmasterCheez #CJsBBQ #Barbecue #LiveFire #BBQCulture #SouthernBBQ

Chapters

0:00 — Meet the Rib King

1:36 — Six years at the Country Style Cook-Off

2:08 — Competing, trash talk, and giving back

3:21 — Advice for first-time pitmasters

4:30 — The future of the event

5:34 — How the Rib King name began

7:08 — Fundraisers, giveaways, and a new scholarship

8:12 — What losing has taught him

9:49 — The community of pitmasters

10:19 — Why barbecue brings people together

11:21 — Promoting the barbecue community

12:22 — Closing thoughts and sign-off

Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.

👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!

🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com

Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.

🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com

👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue

📲 Connect With Us

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥

STORIES FROM THE SMOKE | Chapter Three: The Voices of Barbecue

What makes the Country Style Cookoff different from every other barbecue event?

It's the people.

In Chapter Three of our Stories From the Smoke series, we meet two unforgettable personalities who represent two very different sides of barbecue culture.

First, we catch up with Bruce "Boo" Yeomans—a Navy veteran, pitmaster, food truck owner, and one of the leaders helping preserve the history and legacy of Black barbecue.

Then we sit down with the one and only Alfred "Spoonfed" McDonald. Known throughout the barbecue world for his legendary trash talk, Spoonfed delivers laughs, stories, competition wisdom, and a reminder that barbecue is about far more than trophies.

From smoke-filled cook sites to unforgettable conversations, this episode captures the personalities that make Country Style Cookoff one of the most unique barbecue events in America.

Hosted by Art Fennell @OriginalChannel06 the 10th Anniversary Country Style Cookoff serves as the backdrop for a weekend filled with smoke, fellowship, and unforgettable stories.

This isn’t just another barbecue competition.

These are the stories behind the smoke.

🔥 Subscribe for the next chapter of Stories From the Smoke as we continue exploring the people, traditions, and culture that make barbecue more than just food.

Special Thanks:

Aerial footage courtesy of Stanley Parker | True North Aerial Imaging for capturing stunning aerial perspectives of the 2026 Country Style Cook Off.

Follow True North Aerial Imaging:

https://www.youtube.com/@UCyTWwBglbPrc8my-oICiVTA

🔥 Subscribe for more Stories From the Smoke.

🎥 Produced by Black Smoke Media.

#bbq #barbecue #countrystylecookoff #pitmaster #wholehog #fooddocumentary #southernbbq #CountryStyleCookoff #StoriesFromTheSmoke #BlackSmokeBBQ #Barbecue #LiveFire #BBQCulture

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to SpoonFed and the barbecue culture

00:19 The story behind the name SpoonFed

02:21 SpoonFed's role in Southern barbecue culture

03:46 Barbecue competition experiences and first-time moments

05:52 The importance of love and passion in barbecue

07:45 Trash talk and competition mindset

09:30 Who is SpoonFed's biggest rival in trash talk

11:05 Advice for aspiring pitmasters

12:38 Favorite proteins and cooking preferences

14:43 Challenges and magic tricks in barbecue

17:33 Why the Country Style Cook-Off is unmatched

19:24 Opinions on pellet grills and traditional methods

20:55 Closing thoughts and the spirit of barbecue

Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.

👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!

🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com

Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.

🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com

👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue

📲 Connect With Us

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥

STORIES FROM THE SMOKE | Chapter Two: Where the Smoke Comes Alive

Country Style Cookoff 2026 in Blenheim, South Carolina brings together pitmasters, families, and barbecue lovers from across the country for a celebration of food, culture, and community.

In Chapter Two of Stories From the Smoke, we go beyond the competition and spend time with the people who make Country Style special.

We first catch up with Chris Joyner of CJ's BBQ and More @cjsbbqmorellc1464 whose larger-than-life personality, legendary Frytanic fish fryer, and passion for serving others have made him one of the event’s most recognizable figures.

From there, we sit down with Stan “Pitmaster Cheez” Battle @pitmastercheez for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, barbecue culture, competition, and what it really takes to build a career around live fire.

Hosted by Art Fennell @OriginalChannel06 the 10th Anniversary Country Style Cookoff serves as the backdrop for a weekend filled with smoke, fellowship, and unforgettable stories.

This isn’t just another barbecue competition.

These are the stories behind the smoke.

🔥 Subscribe for the next chapter of Stories From the Smoke as we continue exploring the people, traditions, and culture that make barbecue more than just food.

Special Thanks:

Aerial footage courtesy of Stanley Parker | True North Aerial Imaging for capturing stunning aerial perspectives of the 2026 Country Style Cook Off.

Follow True North Aerial Imaging:

https://www.youtube.com/@UCyTWwBglbPrc8my-oICiVTA

#CountryStyleCookoff #StoriesFromTheSmoke #BlackSmokeBBQ #PitmasterCheez #CJsBBQ #Barbecue #LiveFire #BBQCulture #SouthernBBQ

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast and the event

02:22 Growth of the event and competition highlights

04:18 Live from the event with CJ's BBQ and More

05:22 Interview with Pitmaster Cheez and his journey

06:14 The evolution of barbecue and its gentrification

10:53 Why everyone should experience Country Style BBQ

11:55 Reflections on the Juneteenth fish fry

12:40 The significance of barbecue as a cultural holiday

13:24 Pitmaster Cheez on his brand and social media

14:06 Closing remarks and encouragement to follow the podcast

Harder Charcoal – The premium fuel for serious pitmasters. Whether you’re smoking low and slow or grilling hot and fast, Harder XL Briquets and Lump Charcoal deliver clean, consistent heat with that authentic wood-fired flavor.

👉 Use code BLACKSMOKE at checkout for a discount on your order!

🌐 https://www.hardercharcoal.com

Exhibit Supply – Trusted by food vendors, BBQ teams, and event pros nationwide. From heavy-duty canopies to custom food tents, Exhibit Supply keeps your setup looking sharp and built to last.

🌐 https://www.exhibitsupply.com

👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue

📲 Connect With Us

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecue

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue