To buy my first car, I spent weekends catering for a local Deli. As we dragged our custom-built oil barrel grills to the local lake, I discovered joy in feeding the crowds at church, company, and Lion’s Club cookouts, serving up heaps of burgers, hot dogs, sausages, chicken, and more. My love of grilling and BBQ led me to my college town of Tulsa, Oklahoma, where local BBQ joints stayed open into the night for students emerging hungry from local hangouts. I was hooked. I took courses from World Championship winners, catered over open spits for local club events. This led to co-founding a Big Green Eggfest and becoming a KCBS and PNWBA certified BBQ Judge.