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

🔥 What happens when Chicago flavor meets Texas barbecue?

On this episode of The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, we welcome Shawn Ealy, better known as Shawn Blaze of Shawn Blaze Kitchen, for a powerful conversation about barbecue, entrepreneurship, faith, family, and the grind behind building a food business.

From grilling in the Midwest to making a name for himself in the Dallas–Fort Worth barbecue scene, Shawn Blaze has built a following with his signature smoked turkey legs, smoked oxtails, Creole shrimp mac and cheese, and Chicago-inspired jerk creations.

But his journey goes far beyond the food.

After a serious battle with COVID-19, Shawn gained a new perspective on life and discovered what he believes is his purpose: feeding God's children. That experience helped fuel his passion for cooking and inspired him to take his culinary journey to another level.

🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:

🍗 Chicago Flavor Meets Texas BBQ:How Shawn brought his Midwest roots to the Texas barbecue scene with smoked turkey legs, jerk chicken, brisket, and loaded mac and cheese.

💪🏾 Finding Purpose Through Adversity: How surviving COVID changed Shawn's outlook on life, faith, and pursuing his passion.

💰 The REAL Cost of Barbecue: Why great barbecue isn't cheap and why customers need to understand the time, labor, ingredients, and dedication behind every plate.

⏰ The Entrepreneurial Grind: The early mornings, long hours, and sacrifices involved in running a catering and pop-up food business.

📱 The Power of Social Media: How food reviews, customer recommendations, and viral posts can help small barbecue businesses reach new audiences.

🚚 What's Next for Shawn Blaze Kitchen: Food truck plans, bigger events, expanding catering opportunities, and Shawn's signature Blaze jerk aioli.

🏆 THE MAC AND CHEESE SHOWDOWN: Things get interesting when Shawn Blaze and Brandon start talking about going head-to-head in a mac and cheese cook-off! Who's really got the best Mac?

Whether you're a backyard pitmaster, barbecue entrepreneur, food lover, or somebody who appreciates a great success story, this episode delivers real conversations, plenty of laughs, and insight into the barbecue business.

🔥 CONNECT WITH SHAWN BLAZE KITCHEN

Facebook: Shawn Blaze Barbecue

Instagram: Shawn Blaze Kitchen

TikTok: @BlazeKitchenOne

Follow Shawn to find out where he'll be serving up his signature creations next!

🎙️ JOIN THE BLACK SMOKE FAMILY

👍 LIKE this video if you love great barbecue and real conversations.

💬 COMMENT BELOW: Are you choosing smoked turkey legs, smoked oxtails, or jerk chicken mac and cheese? And who would win a mac and cheese cook-off: Brandon or Shawn Blaze?

🔔 SUBSCRIBE to the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast for conversations with pitmasters, chefs, entrepreneurs, and the people shaping barbecue culture.

🎧 Listen to the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

🔥 Join us on Patreon for exclusive content, including **Black Smoke After Dark**, where the conversations get a little wilder and the laughs keep coming!

#BlackSmokeBarbecue #ShawnBlazeKitchen #BBQPodcast #TexasBBQ #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

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🔥 This episode is sponsored by Harder Charcoal & Exhibit Supply! 🔥The day we've been waiting for has arrived. 🇫🇷🔥Black Smoke Barbecue continues our journey through Saint-Martin for the 2025 Festival de la Gastronomie, and this time we're heading into the streets of Marigot for one of the biggest days of the entire festival — the Saint-Martin BBQ Competition.In Episode 1, we explored the Village de la Gastronomie, met some of the people behind the festival and watched massive dino beef ribs and brisket hit the smokers in preparation for BBQ day.Now it's time to see how it all comes together.Brandon heads down Rue de la République as competitors fire up their grills and smokers, cooking their way through multiple categories for a chance to be named the Best BBQ in Saint-Martin.But barbecue is only part of the story.Throughout the day, the streets of Marigot come alive with steelpan, Carnival dancers, music, food and the culture of Saint-Martin. We also sit down with the Texas judges as they share what they're looking for in the competition and introduce the island to another barbecue tradition.Then we head into the Village de la Gastronomie, where Texas barbecue meets the Caribbean. We're talking brisket, massive dino beef ribs and the flavors of Bludso's BBQ, before Brandon continues eating his way through Saint-Martin — including freshly grilled lobster along the Marigot waterfront.As the sun goes down, we return to Rue de la République. The smokers are still going, the streets are packed, the music is playing — and eventually it's time to find out who will take home the trophies and be crowned among the 2025 Saint-Martin BBQ Competition winners.From Texas barbecue to Caribbean open-fire cooking, from the competition pits to Carnival in the streets, Episode 2 is about more than who wins.It's about the food, the people and the culture behind the smoke.🔥 In this episode:Saint-Martin BBQ • BBQ Competition • Dino Beef Ribs • Brisket • Bludso's BBQ • Caribbean BBQ • Grilled Lobster • Carnival • Steelpan • Village de la Gastronomie • Rue de la République • Marigot • Festival de la Gastronomie • Island Culture🌎 BLACK SMOKE: SAINT-MARTIN — EPISODE 2If you haven't watched the first chapter, start with Episode 1 and follow our entire Saint-Martin journey.Subscribe to Black Smoke Barbecue for more stories from the people, places and traditions shaping barbecue culture.We tell the stories behind the smoke.Special thanks to our sponsors Exhibit Supply and Harder Charcoal for supporting Black Smoke and helping us bring this story from Saint-Martin to you.Festival de la Gastronomie • Saint-Martin 🇸🇽#BlackSmokeBarbecue #SaintMartin #BBQ #CaribbeanFood #FestivalDeLaGastronomie #SXMHarder 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.comExhibit 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 UsInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/blacksmokebarbecue/TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@blacksmokebarbecueFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/blacksmokebarbecue

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

Stories From the Smoke returns to the Country Style Cook-Off in Blenheim, South Carolina.

In Episode 5, “Keeping the Fire,” we sit down with Cordin Wood of Wood Family Q and Dr. Howard Conyers for two conversations connected by family, community, history and the traditions that continue to shape barbecue.

Cordin Wood takes us inside his first year competing at Country Style—from the preparation required to compete to developing new flavors and building Wood Family Q alongside his family. He also explains why the fellowship surrounding Country Style keeps bringing him back and why growth should never come at the expense of what makes the event special.

Then Dr. Howard Conyers takes the conversation back generations. Conyers discusses the role Black communities played in preserving whole-animal and whole-hog barbecue traditions, historic trench cooking across the South, the people whose contributions have been overlooked, and why documenting that history matters—especially in an era when misinformation can spread quickly.

For Conyers, Country Style represents something bigger than barbecue: fellowship, culture and community—a Southern family reunion built around the smoke.

Stories From the Smoke | Episode 5: Keeping the Fire

Subscribe to Black Smoke Barbecue for more stories exploring the people, history and culture behind the smoke.

#BlackSmokeBarbecue #StoriesFromTheSmoke #BlackBBQ #BBQHistory #CountryStyleCookOff

00:00 Stories From the Smoke: Keeping the Fire

01:14 Cordin Wood: First Time at Country Style

02:18 Preparation Is Everything

03:10 Creating New BBQ Flavors

05:19 Building Wood Family Q as a Family

07:01 Why Country Style Keeps Him Coming Back

08:39 Growing Without Losing the Culture

09:10 What’s Next for Wood Family Q

12:01 Introducing Dr. Howard Conyers

13:14 Dr. Howard Conyers

14:30 The Black History of American Barbecue

15:15 Trench Barbecue Across the South

16:35 Preserving the Whole-Hog Tradition

18:49 The Gentrification of Barbecue

19:54 Country Style: Our Own Memphis in May

20:49 BBQ History in the Age of AI

21:45 Barbecue, Moonshine & the Stories Still Untold

23:25 Community, Ownership & Working Together

24:48 Country Style Is a Family Reunion

26:25 The Importance of Doing Your Due Diligence

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! 🔥

Do you wash your meat before cooking it? And what exactly does “washing” meat even mean?

On this episode of the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, Brandon, Charlie, Tee and Alton jump into one of the most persistent—and controversial—conversations in the kitchen: Should you wash or rinse meat before cooking?

We're talking chicken, pork chops, ribs, lamb, ground beef and even oxtails. The crew breaks down the difference between rinsing away bone dust or other particles and trying to “clean” meat of bacteria. We also get into vinegar and citrus washes, cross-contamination around the kitchen, faucet aerators, restaurant practices, ground-meat safety and cooking temperatures.

And yes… somehow we eventually get to people washing chicken with dish soap. 😂

Where do you stand?

Do you wash your meat—or take it straight from the package to prep?

Drop your answer in the comments. We already know this one is going to be interesting. 👀🔥

Subscribe to Black Smoke Media for more conversations about BBQ, food, culture and the people behind it.

0:00 Should You Wash Your Meat? | News Report

0:37 Welcome to Black Smoke Barbecue

1:51 The Great Meat-Washing Debate Begins

3:34 What Does “Washing Meat” Actually Mean?

4:41 Water, Vinegar, Citrus… and SOAP?!

6:03 Bone Dust on Pork Chops

7:45 Cleaning Chicken vs. “Cleaning” Bacteria

8:43 Bone Fragments on Lamb

9:24 Charlie Used to Rinse Ground Beef?!

12:33 Alton Joins the Meat-Washing Debate

13:42 How Rinsing Chicken Can Spread Bacteria

14:19 Charlie's Chicken-Tub Method

16:04 How Your Faucet Aerator Spreads Water

18:16 Cross-Contamination Around the Kitchen

20:16 Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Kitchen

23:06 Vinegar & Lime: Does It Make Meat Taste Better?

24:46 The “Raw Dogged” Chicken Challenge

25:06 Does Washing Oxtails Change the Flavor?

26:38 Are Vegetables More Dangerous?

29:24 Why Ground Meat Requires Extra Care

30:18 Would You Eat a Medium Burger?

31:47 Pork Chops Don't Have to Be Sawdust

32:41 When Meat Smells Wrong, Don't Cook It

33:33 Cooking Temperatures: It's Not Just 165°F

35:10 Final Food-Safety Advice

36:04 Please Don't Wash Chicken With Dish Soap

36:50 Black Smoke Barbecue | Closing

#BlackSmokeBarbecue #BBQ #FoodSafety #Barbecue #Cooking

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! 🔥

What if better barbecue didn't have to be complicated?

James Beard Award-winning cookbook author and chef Noah Galuten joins the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast to talk about his new cookbook, Grill Time, his approach to making grilling simpler and more approachable, and what he's learned cooking alongside barbecue legend Kevin Bludso.

Noah gets into some of the techniques and recipes behind Grill Time, including the surprising reason he puts mayonnaise on fish before grilling, miso butter corn, pit-smoked black cod, honey balsamic pork tenderloin, beer brats and his approach to making a better turkey burger. His mayo technique, for example, helps seasoning adhere, promotes browning and helps keep fish from sticking to the grill.

We also go behind the scenes of Barbecue Smokeout, Noah's Tastemade series with Kevin Bludso, including how their hot-and-fast vs. low-and-slow cooking styles work together, what goes into filming those marathon BBQ cook days, and what's coming next for the show. Noah also breaks down one of his favorite cooks from the series: barbecued oxtail spaghetti vs. Kevin Bludso's smoked oxtails.

🎁 WIN A COPY OF NOAH GALUTEN'S GRILL TIME!

We're giving away TWO copies of Grill Time.

TO ENTER:

▶️ Watch this episode on YOUTUBE and leave your entry in the YOUTUBE COMMENTS ONLY.

Tell us one BBQ or grilling question you've always wanted answered.

For example:

“How do I get crispy skin on grilled chicken?”

“How do I keep fish from sticking to the grill?”

“How do I achieve better bark?”

⚠️ Comments made on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok DO NOT count as giveaway entries. Your entry must be posted in the comments of THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO.

📅 Entries close: September 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET

🏆 Winners announced: September 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

🇺🇸 Open to the 48 contiguous U.S. states only

Grill Time is available now wherever books are sold.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome to the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast

01:05 Meet Noah Galuten and Grill Time

01:36 Making grilling simple and approachable

05:32 Why vegetarian grilling belongs in the book

06:47 The mayonnaise-on-fish grilling trick

08:55 Miso butter corn and grilled black cod

11:29 Honey balsamic pork tenderloin

12:36 Barbecue Smokeout and the Netflix pickup

15:16 Behind the scenes of a barbecue cooking show

18:24 Noah's favorite cook: barbecued oxtail spaghetti

20:12 Beer brats: grill first or poach first?

22:18 Turkey burgers, sprouts and a better patty

24:34 Grill Time giveaway, socials and book tour

26:41 New season updates and where to watch Barbecue Smokeout

28:20 Final giveaway reminder and sign-off

🔥 LIKE • COMMENT • SUBSCRIBE and join us for more conversations about BBQ, the people behind it, and the culture surrounding the smoke.

#NoahGaluten #KevinBludso #BBQ #GrillTime #BlackSmokeBarbecue

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 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/

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Every great barbecue event has a story... and Summer Royale is one worth sharing.

Join us as @pitmastercheez (Stan), Tyrone @tyronemanning9686 T-Dub BBQ and the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast discuss everything coming to the 4th Annual Summer Róyal in Dillon, South Carolina.

What started as a fundraiser for a classmate battling cancer has grown into one of the Southeast's most meaningful barbecue events—bringing together pitmasters, families and the community to support local cancer patients while celebrating whole hog barbecue, competition and fellowship.

In this episode you'll hear about:

🔥 Whole Hog Competition

🍗 Chicken Wing Shootout

🐖 Pitmaster Meet & Greet

🎁 Giveaways including a vehicle, TVs, premium car wash packages and more

🎓 The new Toni Graves Scholarship Initiative

❤️ Why giving back is the heart of Summer Royale

Whether you're a competition cook, backyard pitmaster, or simply love authentic barbecue culture, this is an event you won't want to miss.

📍 Summer Royale

City of Dillon Sports Complex

1201 Hwy 34

Dillon, South Carolina

📅 Labor Day Weekend 2026

Friday Night Meet, Greet & Eat (FREE)

Saturday Festival & Competition

🎟 Admission:

Adults: $20

Children (12 & under): $10

Military Discount Available

If you're unable to attend but would still like to support the mission, donation information is provided in the video.

🔥 Subscribe for more barbecue stories, pitmaster interviews, competitions and behind-the-scenes content from across America.

👍🏾 Like the video

💬 Leave a comment telling us your favorite barbecue festival.

🔔 Subscribe so you never miss another episode.

Donation Disclaimer

The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast/Black Smoke Media does not collect or distribute donations for Summer Royale. Any donation information shown in this video is provided solely at the request of the event organizers. Please direct all donations and questions to Summer Royale using the payment methods and contact information displayed during the video.

00:00 Welcome to Dillon, South Carolina

00:22 Introducing the Summer Royale Special

01:31 What is Summer Royale?

03:00 The Mission Behind the Event

04:38 Why This Cause Matters

06:07 How People Can Donate

08:02 Why Summer Royale Feels Different

09:19 Giveaways, Cars & Community

10:56 Friday Night Pitmaster Meet & Greet

12:58 Friday Night Fish Fry

14:17 New Scholarship Initiative

17:21 Competition Categories & Teams

20:03 Event Details & Admission

21:04 Family Friendly Atmosphere

23:07 Why You Should Attend

24:39 Friday Meet, Greet & Eat

26:24 Community Before Competition

26:44 Final Invitation

👉🏽 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