I've loved bbqing my whole life. My family always had family over when I was a kid and my tios (uncles) would always BBQ for the family. I love the atmosphere we had with the family. Grilling, sharing stories and being present. Slowly, I got to be the one to do all the grilling!
Years later, I got obsessed with Franklin BBQ and smoking meat. Especially brisket and how long it takes to cook it. I remember taking advice from Franklin's book and getting a smoker off Craigslist for free and not wasting my money on my first smoker, but I knew it definitely needed to be an offset smoker.
My wife Kristin & daughter Zara. We are Offset & Oak!
Kristin and me wheeling my second smoker through Willow Glen in San Jose, California.
My first smoker was found on Craigslist, just like Franklin mentioned and it was free! My buddy Jeff and I picked it up in Almaden, I remember spending a few hours cleaning it out and reseasoning it with my wife in our small backyard. Such a win!
My second smoker was found on Craigslist as well and free, about 0.5 miles from my old apartment. My wife and I went to check it out and ended up wheeling it back to our apartment. We didn't have a truck and not enough time to call Jeff, I didn't want someone to take it! It didn't seem that far, but it was a trek and it probably looked super funny seeing two people wheel a smoker through a neighborhood.
I met Chef Jim Stump years ago when I branded one of his many restaurants for him. I take pride in knowing I won't be outworked, however, Chef Stump could probably run laps on me. Chef Stump is someone you always want on your side, I'm fortunate to meet him.
Jim introduced me to, Ric Gilbert, the BBQ legend. Ric has appeared on MythBusters, TLC, Cooking Network, and is in the California BBQ Hall of Fame. He has won numerous bbq competitions! Jim introduced Ric to help us put together BBQ in the Glen in Willow Glen / San Jose, California.
Y'all can call Ric my BBQ competition dad. Ric asked if I wanted to check out a bbq competition and cook with him. I was super excited and after the first event, I was addicted. I've learned a lot from Ric about bbq and how to cook for competitions. Ric helped/saved me at my first popup for for Offset & Oak at one of Camino Brewery's big events.
Me and Ric measuring the lot for BBQ in the Glen event!.
