How Sweet Baby Ray’s Became a BBQ Icon | Duce Raymond Tells the Story

How Sweet Baby Ray’s Became a BBQ Icon | Duce Raymond Tells the Story

This week on the Wise Guys BBQ Podcast, we’re joined by Duce Raymond of Sweet Baby Ray’s Restaurants for an inside look at one of the most recognizable names in barbecue. Duce takes us behind the scenes of the Sweet Baby Ray’s story, from the family roots and legendary sauce name to the restaurant world, catering business, and what it takes to keep a BBQ brand growing. We talk about the early days of Sweet Baby Ray’s, the role of Uncle Dave and Larry Raymond, how the sauce became a household name, and how that legacy continues through restaurants, events, and backyard BBQ education. This episode goes way beyond sauce. Duce shares stories from the restaurant business, the challenges of catering everything from small backyard parties to major events, the future of Sweet Baby Ray’s restaurants, and his take on where barbecue is headed. The guys also dive into competition BBQ, live fire cooking, BBQ classes, social media, and what it really means to give people the “whole nine” when they show up to eat. If you love BBQ history, restaurant stories, barbecue sauce, live fire cooking, competition BBQ, or just hearing from people who helped shape the barbecue world, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Featuring Vin, Charlie, and special guest Duce Raymond of Sweet Baby Ray’s Restaurants. Subscribe for more BBQ podcasts, recipes, road trips, pitmaster interviews, and barbecue stories from the Wise Guys BBQ crew. #sweetbabyrays #bbq #bbqpodcast #podcast #bbqsauce #duceraymond #bbqsauce

Live Fire BBQ Is Changing the Game | 100th Episode with Al Frugoni

100 episodes in, and we brought in the perfect guest: Al Frugoni, one of the biggest names in open fire cooking, Argentinian asado, and live fire BBQ. In this milestone episode of the Wise Guys BBQ Podcast, Vin and Charlie sit down with Al to talk about his journey from Argentina to Texas, how asado shaped the way he cooks, and why live fire cooking is becoming one of the most exciting movements in barbecue today. Al breaks down the difference between open fire cooking, Santa Maria grilling, asado, and traditional smoking. He also explains why live fire cooking can actually be more forgiving than smoking, how Memphis in May helped bring open fire BBQ to a bigger stage, and why the Texas Open Fire Meat Up has become a must-see event for BBQ creators, pitmasters, competitors, and fans. The guys also get into the future of BBQ competitions, the Live Fire Cooking Association, cooking beef ribs over open flame, cabrito, Bistecca Fiorentina, and why barbecue is really about community, culture, and bringing people together. Thank you to everyone who has watched, commented, shared, cooked along, and helped Wise Guys BBQ reach 100 episodes. The train keeps rolling. In this episode: Al Frugoni’s Argentina-to-Texas story What asado really means Open fire cooking vs smoking Why live fire BBQ is changing competitions Memphis in May and Texas Open Fire Meat Up Santa Maria grill tips for thick steaks BBQ creators, pitmasters, culture, and community Subscribe to Wise Guys BBQ for more BBQ podcasts, cooking videos, recipes, Destination Q episodes, BBQ news, live fire cooking, and backyard barbecue conversations. #livefire #podcast #bbqpodcast #alfrugoni #outdoorcooking

Chunky BBQ: From Turn-In Chaos to Championship Wins

This week on the Wise Guys BBQ Podcast, we sit down with Chunky BBQ after their huge Grand Am Invitational win and talk about what it really takes to compete at the highest level in barbecue. We get into the road to the 2027 BBQ World Cup, the pressure of cooking for a shot at $1,000,000, and why consistency is the difference between having a good cook and hearing your name called at awards. Chunky BBQ breaks down competition BBQ strategy, KCBS judging, table luck, brisket, ribs, pork, chicken, flavor profiles, sauces, injections, and the mental side of trying to hit across all four categories. We also talk about Wildwood, Almost Heaven Barbecue Bash, public-facing BBQ events, and the chaos that comes with turn-ins when everything is on the line. Plus, there are some hilarious competition stories, including dropped ribs, dropped chicken, last-minute saves, and those moments where BBQ contests feel like complete barbecue bingo. If you love competition barbecue, KCBS BBQ, brisket talk, rib techniques, BBQ tips, or behind-the-scenes stories from the competition circuit, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and real BBQ knowledge from one of the most recognizable teams in the game. #competitionbbq #bbqpodcast #podcast #barbecue #bbq #smokegrill

Wise Guys BBQ Enters Competition BBQ | Bristol BBQ Bash, Live Fire Cooking & BBQ Safari Plans

This week on the Wise Guys BBQ Podcast, Vin and Charlie catch up on everything happening in the Wise Guys BBQ world — and there is a lot going on. The guys talk about Wise Guys BBQ officially stepping into the competition BBQ scene at the upcoming Bristol BBQ Bash at Lake Compounce, where Tommy the Butcher, Tim Zettergren, and Bob Baumann will be representing the crew. They break down the nerves, the excitement, the meat assignments, and what it means for Wise Guys to finally jump into the world of competition barbecue. The conversation also dives into Bob’s busy food truck schedule, brisket problems before competition week, Tommy’s latest butcher projects, smoked beef jerky, family cooks, and backyard barbecue. Charlie also shares his experience cooking on a Santa Maria-style grill, including live fire chicken, lamb, steak, ribs, vegetables, and more. Plus, the guys talk about the growing world of live fire and open fire cooking competitions, why that style of barbecue is so exciting to watch, and where the next Wise Guys BBQ Safari might take them — Chicago, New York, Atlanta, or maybe even another Texas run. If you love BBQ competitions, live fire cooking, smoked meat, BBQ road trips, backyard grilling, and the chaos of the Wise Guys BBQ crew, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more BBQ podcasts, recipes, Destination Q episodes, competition BBQ content, and behind-the-scenes barbecue stories from Wise Guys BBQ. #podcast #bbqpodcast #barbecue #competitionbbq

The Pastrami Queen of BBQ | Christie Vanover talks Girls Can Grill, BBQ Competitions & Live Fire

This week on the Wise Guys BBQ Podcast, Vin, Charlie, and Bob from Big Bobby’s Q sit down with Christie Vanover of Girls Can Grill — also known in this episode as The Pastrami Queen. Christie shares her journey from public relations and marketing to becoming one of the most recognized names in barbecue, grilling, and live fire cooking. The crew talks about how Girls Can Grill started, what it takes to build a BBQ brand, and how Christy turned her love of backyard grilling into a full-time career filled with recipe development, competition cooking, judging, organizing events, product creation, and traveling the country for barbecue. This episode dives into competition BBQ, KCBS cookoffs, the Jack Daniel’s Invitational, Memphis in May, live fire cooking, and the launch of the Live Fire Cooking Association. Christy explains why open fire cooking is growing so fast, how live fire competitions are different from traditional barbecue contests, and why this style of cooking connects so strongly with both cooks and crowds. The guys also get into Christy’s product development work, including her Girls Can Grill rubs and her new pastrami kit. From brining and testing recipes to dialing in flavor with a co-packer, Christy breaks down what goes into creating products that help backyard cooks make better barbecue at home. If you’re into BBQ podcasts, competition barbecue, live fire cooking, KCBS, Memphis in May, pastrami, BBQ rubs, grilling recipes, pitmaster stories, or the business side of barbecue, this conversation with Christy Vanover is packed with insight, laughs, and real BBQ talk. Watch the full episode and meet The Pastrami Queen behind Girls Can Grill. #bbqpodcast #outdoorcooking #barbeque #competitionbbq #podcast