The Unknowns - Black Pitmasters

I first saw Dr. Conyers on Man, Fire, Food with Roger Mooking. I then found his digital series Nourish on YouTube. It was during a time I was looking for black pitmasters that I begin to follow him. Learning about the history of American BBQ and how the enslaved Africans curated our modern day craft of BBQ lead me to create The Unknowns Black Pitmasters.

JL (James Lewis) is the owner of JL Smokehouse in Phoenix & Mesa AZ. He is passionate when it comes to cooking and lives by his phrase "If it's not cooked with wood, it's no good!" JL during our discussion spoke about the heart of BBQ and honestly I don't think there was a dry eye in the room. You can follow JL on Instagram HERE.

JL (James Lewis) is the owner of JL Smokehouse in Phoenix & Mesa AZ. He is passionate when it comes to cooking and lives by his phrase "If it's not cooked with wood, it's no good!" JL during our discussion spoke about the heart of BBQ and honestly I don't think there was a dry eye in the room. Take a look at this preview and look for the full discussion next week!

Aaron took Denver by storm. Starting his business during the pandemic he fed the city enough to become one of the top 10 BBQ spots in Denver! His first year in business he was awarded a grant from the Kingsford Preserve the Pit Program, earned countless acclaim and as of this year...closed his Denver spot to be rancher in Texas. What a journey to follow.

Aaron took Denver by storm. Starting his business during the pandemic he fed the city enough to become one of the top 10 BBQ spots in Denver! His first year in business he was awarded a grant from the Kingsford Preserve the Pit Program, earned countless acclaim and as of this year...closed his Denver spot to be rancher in Texas. What a journey to follow.

Born in Nebraska & raised in Phoenix, AZ - Jonathan Jones has always been a student of the BBQ game. Since 2015, “⁠Jonathan BBQ⁠” has been combining his love for barbecue and content production. With his “Your Grill, Your Rules” mantra, Jones looks to inspire everyday people to get out and cook for their family, friends and community. Jonathan also organizing ⁠Smokin' Hope⁠ in late 2018. He decided to cook for 100 homeless people in the downtown Phoenix area. Since then, they have organized and fed over 1,200 Phoenicians and counting!

Born in Nebraska & raised in Phoenix, AZ - Jonathan Jones has always been a student of the BBQ game. Since 2015, “Jonathan BBQ” has been combining his love for barbecue and content production. With his “Your Grill, Your Rules” mantra, Jones looks to inspire everyday people to get out and cook for their family, friends and community. Jonathan also organizing Smokin' Hope in late 2018. He decided to cook for 100 homeless people in the downtown Phoenix area. Since then, they have organized and fed over 1,200 Phoenicians and counting!

KJ, of Back Food Fridays, is a James Beard foundation finalist, contributor to ESPN's ANDSCAPE, community organizer, highlighter and advocate for black food, culture and history.

KJ is a James Beard foundation finalist, community organizer, highlighter and advocate for black food, culture and history.

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Erica is a woman of many talents. As a pitmaster her talents were on display on season 2 winner of Food Network's "BBQ Brawl". She won that competition as was titled "Master of Cue". Just recently in May of 2022 competing in the world-famous Memphis in May World Championship BBQ Cooking Contestv she tied for 1st place in brisket and 4th in ribs. Erica also wears the hat of Certified Sommelier and attorney. She hopes to be an example of pursuing your passions, despite the fear of committing to the unknown, even if it requires a strategic course-correction.

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Erica is a woman of many talents. As a pitmaster her talents were on display on season 2 winner of Food Network's "BBQ Brawl". She won that competition as was titled "Master of Cue". Just recently in May of 2022 competing in the world-famous Memphis in May World Championship BBQ Cooking Contestv she tied for 1st place in brisket and 4th in ribs. Erica also wears the hat of Certified Sommelier and attorney. She hopes to be an example of pursuing your passions, despite the fear of committing to the unknown, even if it requires a strategic course-correction.

Veteran owned and operated, Eddie Wright BBQ is one of Central Mississippi’s newest and highly visible pitmasters on the circuit. He competes in BBQ competitions, and extends that same passion into a mobile food truck to bring amazing BBQ to the masses. What started out as a backyard hobby and away to cope with PTSD, has turned into recognition and a full arsenal of BBQ greatness that is able to be brought to anywhere in the state.  Pitmaster, BBQ content creator and 2021 Kingsford Preserve The Pit Grant recipient.

Pitmaster, BBQ content creator and 2021 Kingsford Preserve The Pit Grant recipient.

Adrian Miller is a food writer, James Beard Award winner, attorney, and certified barbecue judge who lives in Denver, Colorado. Miller’s first book, Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time won the James Beard Foundation Award for Scholarship and Reference in 2014. His second book, The President’s Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, From the Washingtons to the Obamas was published on President’s Day 2017. It was a finalist for a 2018 NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction,” and the 2018 Colorado Book Award for History. Adrian’s third book, Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue, which was published in Spring of 2021 was also awarded the James Beard Foundation Award for Scholarship and Reference.

Adrian Miller is a food writer, James Beard Award winner, attorney, and certified barbecue judge who lives in Denver, Colorado. Miller’s first book, Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time won the James Beard Foundation Award for Scholarship and Reference in 2014. His second book, The President’s Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, From the Washingtons to the Obamas was published on President’s Day 2017. It was a finalist for a 2018 NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction,” and the 2018 Colorado Book Award for History. Adrian’s third book, Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue, which was published in Spring of 2021 was also awarded the James Beard Foundation Award for Scholarship and Reference.

Richard & Dana Washington are Keebler's Kitchen BBQ & Bakery! Richard handles all of the smoked proteins and beans, while Dana handles all other scratch made sides and desserts. The are a pop up and catering business taking the ATL by storm!

Meet Richard & Dana Washington! Richard handles all of their smoked proteins and beans, while Dana handles all other scratch made sides and desserts. The are a pop up and catering business taking the ATL by storm. In this trailer we find out how they got started!

Rasheed Philips may best be known for Netflix's The American Barbecue Showdown, but if you're in the BBQ world you know he is quickly becoming a staple to the communities landscape. This is the conclusion of our discussion with Rasheed where he gave us tips, or as we coined them "The Twelve Commandments of BBQ/Entrepreneurship", to starting and running a BBQ business. Sit back and prepare to take notes! Enjoy!

Part two of this exclusive discussion with Rasheed Philips is coming soon! If you haven't already, check out part one! Until the conclusion, here is a sample of what's to come!

Rasheed Philips may best be known for Netflix's The American Barbecue Showdown, but if you're in the BBQ world you know he is quickly becoming a staple to the communities landscape. This is part one of our discussion with Rasheed where he gave us tips, or as we coined them "The Twelve Commandments of BBQ/Entrepreneurship", to starting and running a BBQ business. Sit back and prepare to take notes! Enjoy!