🔥 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

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

🔥 STORIES FROM THE SMOKE | Chapter One: Daryl "Sweetie" Walker

There's something special happening in barbecue—and it's bigger than what's happening on the grill.

Welcome to Stories From the Smoke, a new documentary series from The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast that goes beyond the food to tell the stories of the people preserving, shaping, and advancing Black barbecue culture.

For our first chapter, Charlie and Tee traveled to Blenheim, South Carolina, for the Country Style Cookoff 2026, hosted by Art Fennell of @OriginalChannel06 While many came to capture the sights, sounds, and incredible food, we set out to capture something different—the conversations.

In this episode, we sit down with World Champion Pitmaster Daryl "Sweetie" Walker of Sweetie's BBQ @darylwalkersweetiesbarbq1707 an honest discussion about competition barbecue, faith, perseverance, mentorship, and what it means to represent Black pitmasters on some of the biggest stages in barbecue.

From his early memories around the family grill to competing across the country, Daryl shares the experiences, challenges, and mindset that have made him one of the most respected names in the sport today.

This is more than an interview.

This is the first chapter in a documentary series exploring the stories, traditions, and legacy of Black barbecue.

In this episode:

🔥 Daryl's journey from backyard barbecue to World Champion

🔥 Competition BBQ and the pursuit of excellence

🔥 Faith, perseverance, and overcoming adversity

🔥 Mentoring the next generation of pitmasters

🔥 Why the Country Style Cookoff has become a celebration of community and culture

Stories From the Smoke

A documentary series exploring the stories, traditions, and legacy of Black barbecue.

New chapters coming throughout the summer.

🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast

Hosted by Charlie and Tee

#CountryStyleCookoff #BlackSmokeBBQ #DarylWalker #SweetiesBBQ #CompetitionBBQ #Barbecue #Pitmaster #BBQCulture #BlackBarbecue #BBQPodcast #StoriesFromTheSmoke #bbq

00:00 Cinematic Opening

01:10 Meet World Champion Daryl Walker

03:20 Why Country Style Cookoff Is Different

06:05 Competition BBQ & Helping Others Win

08:40 Facing Challenges With Faith

13:30 Carrying the Torch for Black Pitmasters

17:10 Advice for the Next Generation

19:20 What's Next for Sweetie's BBQ

20:15 Final Thoughts

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! 🔥

🔥 Episode 99 – Tony McNeill Jr. (T Nasty's BBQ)

What separates a backyard cook from someone who truly understands barbecue?

In this episode of The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, Brandon, T-Dubb, Alton, Charlie, and special guest Tony McNeill Jr. of @tnasty7711 BBQ dive into the details that most people never think about when it comes to barbecue.

From airflow and pit design to fire management, custom smoker builds, reverse flow cookers, Texas barbecue influences, and the skills required to master live-fire cooking, Tony shares decades of hard-earned knowledge and experience.

The conversation explores why understanding your pit matters, how fire behaves inside different smokers, what makes certain cookers perform better than others, and why mastering the fundamentals is still the foundation of great barbecue.

Topics include:

🔥 Fire management and live-fire cooking

🔥 Building custom offset smokers

🔥 Reverse flow smoker pros and cons

🔥 Airflow, heat movement, and pit design

🔥 Texas barbecue influences

🔥 Country Style Cookoff culture

🔥 What it means to be a pitmaster

🔥 Learning through experience and repetition

🔥 Supporting the barbecue community

Whether you're cooking on an offset, kettle, drum, gravity-fed cooker, or pellet grill, this episode is packed with barbecue knowledge that can help improve your craft.

👇 Join the conversation:

What's the most important barbecue skill you've learned?

🎙️ Subscribe to The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast

📺 Watch our full episode playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-o5Ge4Yk6JPytAP5Tx-wnChlU4rcZ6-l

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 does it really mean to be a Pitmaster?

In this episode of The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, Darren Carter of @CartersBBQ216 the crew to tackle one of the most debated topics in barbecue today: the overuse of the title "Pitmaster."

With social media making barbecue more popular than ever, many backyard cooks, influencers, and content creators are quick to claim the title. But Darren argues that mastering fire, understanding the craft, respecting the history, and putting in years of work are what truly separate a barbecue cook from a Pitmaster.

The conversation dives into:

🔥 Fire management and live-fire cooking

🔥 Pellet grills vs traditional barbecue methods

🔥 Social media influence in barbecue

🔥 Why experience matters

🔥 The difference between convenience and craftsmanship

🔥 Respecting barbecue's history and traditions

🔥 Why everybody isn't a Pitmaster

Whether you cook on an offset, kettle, drum, gravity-fed cooker, pellet grill, or open fire, this episode will definitely make you think.

👇🏾 Join the conversation in the comments:

What do YOU think makes someone a Pitmaster?

0:00 Intro & B-Roll

1:30 Welcome Back Darren Carter

2:35 Why Everybody Calls Themselves a Pitmaster

3:23 Darren's Definition of a True Pitmaster

5:16 Fire, Meat & Barbecue Fundamentals

7:33 "We Are Not The Same" – The Traeger Story

8:02 Social Media, Influencers & BBQ Credentials

10:13 Why Darren Calls Himself a Barbecue Cook

11:25 Everybody Wants To Be a Chef Too

12:33 Pellet Grills and the Pitmaster Debate

14:54 Respecting the Craft

16:06 What Actually Makes Someone a Pitmaster?

18:19 Fire Management 101

20:12 Learning The Basics Before Technology

21:04 Meeting People Where They Are

23:51 BBQ Gadgets, Meat Probes & Convenience

25:13 Everybody Wants The Title, Not The Work

26:17 Instant Gratification Culture

27:11 Social Currency & BBQ Fame

29:29 Why Credentials Matter

31:44 Final Thoughts

33:35 Dry Brining, Boiled Ribs & Outro

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! 🔥

🔥 From Mississippi roots to California smoke, this episode is packed with barbecue knowledge, hustle, and heart.

On this episode of the The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, we sit down with Kris Austin of A&M BBQ and @SmokingWithAustin to talk about his journey from backyard cooking and football to becoming one of California wine country’s most respected pitmasters.

Kris breaks down:

🔥 Building A&M BBQ from the ground up

🔥 Learning barbecue through YouTube and trial & error

🔥 Sausage making and the Bill Dumas influence

🔥 Texas-style brisket trimming techniques

🔥 Running a BBQ business with limited space and maximum passion

🔥 Wine country barbecue culture in Sonoma County

🔥 Why turkey might actually be his sleeper hit

🔥 The realities of pricing barbecue and protecting quality

This episode is full of gems for backyard cooks, aspiring pitmasters, food entrepreneurs, and anyone who loves authentic barbecue culture.

Make sure you LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes featuring the people shaping barbecue culture across the country.

Follow Kris Austin & A&M BBQ:

📸 Instagram: @ambbqllc

📺 YouTube: @SmokingWithAustin

🎧 Listen to the podcast everywhere:

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Patreon

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

#BBQPodcast #TexasBBQ #CaliforniaBBQ #Brisket #OffsetSmoker #Pitmaster #Barbecue #LiveFireCooking #SmokingWithAustin #AandMBBQ #BlackSmokeBBQ #BBQCulture #FoodPodcast #BBQLife #SonomaCounty #food #foodie

Barbecue is supposed to bring people together.

In this episode of The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, we discuss the recent controversy surrounding a competition BBQ incident that led to a permanent IBCA ban after allegations of racist language, threats, and unsportsmanlike conduct surfaced publicly.

Joining us is competition pitmaster Steve Strong of Big Wally’s BBQ as we talk about:

🔥 Racism and bigotry in barbecue

🔥 The culture of competition BBQ

🔥 How sanctioning bodies should respond

🔥 Why accountability matters

🔥 Daryl Walker’s reputation in the BBQ community

🔥 Letting the food speak for itself

This isn’t drama for clicks.

This is a real conversation about respect, inclusion, and protecting the culture of barbecue for everyone.

🎙️ Featuring:

Brandon ( @BKCCooks )

T-Dubb BBQ ( @TDubb-BBQ )

Steve Strong ( @BigWallysBarbecue )

👇 What are your thoughts?

Do organizations like IBCA need to take stronger stances moving forward?

#BlackSmokeBarbecuePodcast #BBQPodcast #CompetitionBBQ #BarbecueCulture #IBCA #BBQCommunity #TexasBBQ #Pitmaster #BarbecueLife #LiveFireCooking #BBQLife #BlackBBQ #SmokingMeat #BBQTalk #FoodCulture

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