About We BBQ For You
From Passion to Profession: Our Journey in BBQ and Catering
From a simple childhood hobby to a flourishing business, our journey in BBQ and catering has been a labor of love, hard work, and delicious food. Let us take you through the story of how a backyard smoker sparked a passion that grew into an award-winning enterprise, bringing joy and delectable meals to countless gatherings.
Early Days: A Family Tradition Begins
When I was a little girl, my family spent many winters in the Florida Keys. My father, an avid fisherman, would often make homemade smoked fish with a small smoker. Although I wasn’t a huge fan of fish, I loved the idea of smoking meat. I convinced my father to buy me pieces of beef, and I eagerly used the smoker to make my own beef jerky. This hobby stuck with me fondly into adulthood.
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A Yard Sale Treasure: Reigniting the Passion
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In my late 20s, while working for my father's swimming pool business, I stumbled upon a yard sale where I found a smoker similar to my father's. Despite a dent on the side, it was in perfect condition and a steal at $20. I couldn’t wait to bring it home to my husband, Nick, and share my childhood memories of making beef jerky. Little did I know, this smoker would reignite a passion that would change our lives.
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Experimenting with New Recipes
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Nick was thrilled with the smoker, not for beef jerky, but for trying out all sorts of meats. Our first experiments were ribs and pulled pork, which were a massive hit with our friends. We started taking the smoker to parties and even on camping trips, where we once smoked a whole turkey for a camping Thanksgiving. These experiences created lasting memories and laid the groundwork for our future business.
From Hobby to Business: Our First Paid Gig
Our hobby took a significant turn when we roasted a whole pig for a friend’s party. The guests loved it, and someone asked if we would cook for their event. Eagerly, we accepted and had the time of our lives cooking and serving guests, engaging in friendly conversations, and receiving compliments on our food. We knew then that this was something we were meant to do.
Building a BBQ and Catering Business
Our first year, we cooked for two paid parties, but word spread, and by the next year, we were catering five events, and the year after that, ten. We decided to turn our passion into a business, upgrading from a small smoker to a large professional one. We invested in tables, tents, chafing dishes, and a portable grill, and started creating our own recipes. We even began entering local competitions, winning awards for roasting whole pigs, BBQ chicken, empanadas, and our BBQ and catering services.
Expanding Our Services: From Backyard to Food Truck
We started as a backyard grilling company and expanded our services to company events and weddings. In 2019, we took a significant step forward by purchasing a food truck. Now, we attend fairs and festivals, and we have a weekly spot at the New Egypt Flea Market Village. Everything we make is from scratch, and we continually experiment with new recipes to delight our customers.
Looking Forward: The Future of Our BBQ and Catering Business
Although I never got to make beef jerky on that little smoker, the journey it led us on has been worth all the beef jerky in the world. We are proud of what we’ve built and are excited to see what the future holds for our BBQ and catering business. With our passion, dedication, and delicious food, we look forward to creating more memorable experiences for our customers.
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Thank you for being a part of our story, and we look forward to many more years of serving up smiles and smoky goodness.
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Michelle and Nick
Owners
We BBQ For You