| About Me | |
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This is a little bit about me and how I got into cooking southern style BBQ.
At the age of 10, I was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Looking back, I now wish I had taken better care of myself because at the age of 33, I went into kidney failure and began daily dialysis. Soon after I began dialysis, I had to close down my carpentry business due to illness and weakness. Dialysis was a dark time in my life, but many things have changed since then. On December 31, 1998 I was called to the University of Wisconsin’s Transplant Center for a kidney and pancreas transplant. What a Happy New Year that was!!!
Two months after the Transplant, I developed a gangrene infection in my right foot. After a good fight, I ended up losing it in October, 1999. However, I was up on a prosthetic leg by Christmas that year. After I was walking again, I developed a break down of the bone in the left ankle and lost that leg in January of 2001. The ankle just would not heal. I spent the better part of 3 years off my feet and in a wheel chair. All the time I was cooking up a storm, sampling, and fine-tuning recipes, and driving my wife crazy. Oh, some of the concoctions I’d come up with!
As I learned more about my new lifestyle, I found that I wanted to work with others who have experienced similar issues. I like to work with people who need a way to help raise funds. This is mainly why I wanted to take my BBQ cooking and do some fundraisers. I feel that I had this transplant for a reason, and that I have to do some good with my second chance. Helping others and educating them may be the reason for that chance, or just setting an example and being an inspiration to someone may also be the reason. I have never felt like, “poor me,” or “why me?” I have nobody to blame but myself for not taking better care of myself earlier on. I have chosen to make the best of a bad situation. Actually, with what I have experienced health-wise, I have a more clear appreciation for the smaller things in life.
During the times when I was recouping, I found much of my time was spent in bed watching cooking shows. Man, was I hooked! I never really enjoyed cooking as much as I do now, and I learned a lot about various foods and seasonings. I developed a strong passion for cooking during that time. I was learning to cook fresh and not canned! It almost amazes me now, how I used to enjoy eating so many canned foods. I started cooking with fresh products more and more. During the time, after transplant, when I was laid up and off my “feet”, I found myself watching a cooking show that was about BBQ. I went to a web site that had this guy’s BBQ smokers on it, and he also has a BBQ forum that the guys can ask questions on. I contacted someone on the forum and ended up going to my first BBQ cook-off in Grand Rapids, Michigan. What a great learning experience it was! I was hooked right away. When I got home, I went and bought my first smoker.
As of 2004, I have competed in 3 contests and have attended and apprenticed in several more with friends and mentors. I travel to various parts of the country to do these contests. Some of those states include Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas City, Missouri, and Ohio. I am a member of the Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS) and also a Certified BBQ Judge with the KCBS. Since I started cooking southern style BBQ I have gone from a backyard BBQ cook, to a competition cook, and finally, BBQ caterer. I have won awards in 3 of the 3 contests I have entered so far. Luck may not always be with me, but I will continue to compete as time allows, and I will keep seeking further education about cooking great, quality BBQ.
I primarily do private catering with both drop-off service and on site cooking. I owe much of my success to many fine people that have helped by not only their belief in me, but also their generous sponsorship and their support in helping me in establishing my business. With the help of these great businesses behind me, I am able to help others and establish a new career for myself along with continuing competition cooking. I am always looking to keep my business growing which will allow me to reach out to many more people.
I began my catering business in 2004. With my passion for cooking BBQ and the enjoyment I get from working with others, I know I will be able to continue growing in my business year after year, providing quality BBQ foods for my clients.
So give a toot when you see “The Pig” coming down the road. I look forward to meeting you and helping to make your celebrations a success with BBQ style.
BBQ Bob's
Hillsboro, TN. 37342
931-588-7437
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