Our Story
Big D loves to cook. He loves to teach others his tricks he has learned over 30 years in the competitive BBQ cook offs winning on the biggest stages. Now you can catch him on his YouTube Channel, “Big D’s Q’s”, sharing his favorite recipes. More than likely, when you see him he will be surrounded by his cooking team made up of his daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids. Cooking mouth watering food runs deep in his genes.
Big D grew up on a farm in West Tennessee, growing all the food that went on their table. He grew up watching his granddad cook a whole hog on hot ashes. To this day, he says that is still the best BBQ a person can eat. Sure, it is harder and takes longer, but that is the real way to cook low and slow style BBQ.
He transitioned from solely competing, to being one of the most sought out BBQ mentors and trainers in the world. In 2002, he had the honor of being part of the team that won the Jack Daniel's International Grand Championship cooking whole hog with the Jamaican team. He followed that up with winning a Reserve Grand Champion in 2003 and 2004 cooking whole hog. Big D has been flown to the Caribbean, Europe, and some of the most luxurious locations in the world to train chefs. Eric Greenspan invited Big D in 2014 to film his show, Eric Greenspan is Hungry which aired on the National Geographic channel.
We’d love to answer your biggest BBQ questions. You’ll meet his cooking team along the way as they share cherished family recipes and new creations.
“No, we didn’t have a meat thermometer then, and I’m sure we didn’t even know what one was!”
Big D learned to tell where to add the ashes by laying hands on the meat by the feel of it. Big D’s grandfather made his own sauce. It didn’t take too long before the influence of his grandfather became evident. In the early 90’s he entered his first competition cook off. In his first contest he cooked a whole hog and got in the finals. He was hooked.
He began to mix his own spices and rubs. A winning combination across the United States and internationally.
Big D cooked on the world championship rib team in The Memphis in May contest. His team has returned to the Memphis in May stage for both shoulder, Grand Championships, and Reserve Grand Championships. Using his own rubs and sauces, he has won many awards, in the likes of the Mississippi State Chicken Championship and the Mississippi State Championship in ribs and brisket.
You Never Know Where You’ll Find Him…
Eric Greenspan brought his National Geographic film crew out to Big D’s hunting camp to learn a thing or two about cooking Wild Turkey. Watch the video below to learn some of Big D’s secret ingredients.
