Jon from Crazy Gringo BBQ

The Pitmaster's Podcast

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10d ago 1:06:13

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Crazy Gringo BBQ began well before 2019, without me even realizing it. Various experiences in my life led me to discover what brings me peace: cooking for people! I particularly enjoy cooking outdoors on grills, although I'm not limited to that. My culinary journey started when I was a young boy. I joined Cub Scouts around the age of five, and I began cooking shortly after that, particularly during camping trips. I remember planning the menu for our weekend camping excursions and cooking meals with my patrol. We often used a camping stove, a hiking stove, a Dutch oven, or a BBQ. I treasure the memories of these events and the camping trips I took with my dad. One dish that stands out is a Cornish game hen and wild rice recipe we prepared in a Dutch oven, always paired with a berry, peach, or apple cobbler for dessert. As I grew older and moved on from Boy Scouts, my father continued to love cooking and BBQing as a way to bring our extended family together. He truly had the right idea—food does bring people together! I vividly recall one occasion when all our aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered at our home. My dad bought all the ingredients and printed out recipes for everyone, and we all cooked together in my parents' kitchen. That experience ultimately shaped my goal: I love helping those who want to learn or are interested in cooking. When my wife and I purchased our home in 2012, my parents gifted us a BBQ. My dad's passion for outdoor cooking was obvious, and this gift confirmed my own love for it. We cooked together several times at our house and at my parents' place. My dad particularly enjoyed grilling ribs or burgers. Like me, he would also cook the Thanksgiving turkey or the Christmas ham on the BBQ. In 2016, my dad was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and was admitted to the City of Hope. He managed to come home for about a month during his treatment, and I remember cooking ribs on the grill for our family in the backyard while everyone gathered. Although they weren't the best ribs I've ever made, seeing how happy he was to be home and enjoying them was unforgettable. Little did I know, that would be the last time I cooked ribs for my father. He passed away in September 2016, and I felt lost for some time after that. I continued to BBQ as an ordinary person might, but I struggled with moderate depression and found it challenging to navigate life. In 2018, I discovered a clearance pellet smoker at Walmart and decided to buy it. I assembled it that day and tried my hand at cooking on it. Like many newcomers, the first thing I made was pulled pork. From that first cook, I developed an addiction to this hobby. It allowed me to connect with my father, who had passed, and to bring joy to others through delicious food. Over the years, my passion for cooking has grown, and I've learned to use a variety of grills and smokers, including charcoal ceramic grills, drum smokers, offset smokers, and one of my favorites, my Cedar Creek Asadera. I have competed in cook-offs, placing fourth overall with the Cedar Creek team while cooking over an open fire. Additionally, I’ve been fortunate to cater for events with as many as 1,000 guests using a 500-gallon offset smoker. I am grateful for every opportunity to learn and to elevate Crazy Gringo BBQ to the next level.

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