Wise Guys BBQ

Vincent Porcaro
  • 4.0 (4)
  • Food
  • Updated Weekly

Wise Guys BBQ is a podcast dedicated to exploring and sharing barbecue tips and insights. Join our cohosts weekly for episodes filled with valuable information and entertaining anecdotes from our talented hosts.

  1. 5d ago

    Jeremy Yoder: BBQ Science & the Story He’s Never Told | Mad Scientist Barbecue

    Jeremy Yoder of Mad Scientist Barbecue joins the Wise Guys BBQ Podcast for a deep dive into barbecue science, live-fire cooking, offset smokers, brisket, pitmaster techniques, and the journey behind one of the most respected BBQ channels on YouTube. Jeremy takes us back to the beginning—from buying a cheap grill as a high school powerlifter and studying biochemistry, to working as a teacher, starting a barbecue catering business, and eventually turning Mad Scientist Barbecue into a full-time career. He also shares a story he says he’s never told publicly before about an early phone call with Yoder Smokers and why that interaction ultimately led him to choose a different offset smoker. We also go behind the scenes of Jeremy’s grueling live-fire competition experience, where limited equipment, strict time constraints, homemade cooking setups, and very little sleep forced him to adapt on the fly. Jeremy opens up about what he’s learned from some of the biggest names in barbecue, including Aaron Franklin, Evan LeRoy, Goldee’s Barbecue, Bar-A-BBQ, and his friend Al. He explains why Franklin Barbecue remains his personal gold standard for brisket and why the openness and transparency of the barbecue community has played such a major role in his own approach to teaching. Plus, we get into: 🔥 How Jeremy uses science to understand better barbecue 🔥 The early days of Mad Scientist Barbecue 🔥 Why he doesn’t worry much about the YouTube algorithm 🔥 The untold Yoder Smokers story 🔥 Surviving an exhausting live-fire cooking competition 🔥 What makes great brisket his benchmark for barbecue 🔥 Cooking Basque cheesecake on a smoker 🔥 His upcoming trip to Lima, Peru for an international barbecue festival 🔥 Smoked ceviche, grilled guinea pig, and exploring Peruvian food 🔥 His upcoming scientific experiment comparing smoke from pellet grills, Weber Smokey Mountains, and offset smokers 🔥 Using laboratory equipment to measure what’s actually in barbecue smoke 🔥 Why great pitmasters are willing to share what they know 🔥 The barbecue creators and pitmasters Jeremy admires today Whether you’re trying to improve your brisket, master an offset smoker, understand clean smoke, learn live-fire cooking, or simply want to hear the story behind Mad Scientist Barbecue, this conversation with Jeremy Yoder is packed with BBQ knowledge, stories, and plenty of laughs. Subscribe to Wise Guys BBQ for more pitmaster interviews, barbecue science, BBQ recipes, competition barbecue, live-fire cooking, and conversations with the people shaping barbecue today. #MadScientistBarbecue

    Jeremy Yoder: BBQ Science & the Story He’s Never Told | Mad Scientist Barbecue

  2. Aug 10

    From Blog to BBQ Celebrity | Susie Bulloch of Hey Grill Hey | Wise Guys BBQ Podcast

    In this episode of the Wise Guys BBQ Podcast, hosts Vin Porcaro and Charlie Baldwin sit down with Susie Bulloch, the founder of Hey Grill Hey, one of the most recognized names in backyard barbecue. What started as a passion for sharing recipes has grown into a nationally recognized BBQ brand featuring hundreds of recipes, award-winning sauces and rubs, online classes, a thriving community, and the bestselling cookbook Backyard BBQ Hero. Join Vin and Charlie as they dive into Susie's incredible journey—from building a food blog into a BBQ empire to Pitmasters Food Network and becoming one of the most influential educators in outdoor cooking. They discuss recipe development, entrepreneurship, family, the evolution of Hey Grill Hey, the future of barbecue, and what it really takes to inspire millions of backyard pitmasters. Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster, a weekend griller, or just getting started, this conversation is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and plenty of laughs.

    From Blog to BBQ Celebrity | Susie Bulloch of Hey Grill Hey | Wise Guys BBQ Podcast

  3. Jul 31

    he Unexpected Beginning of Bourbon & Blues BBQ

    What started as a date at a barbecue festival turned into a full-blown competition BBQ journey. After discovering they couldn’t sample the teams’ food, Colleen and JP became certified barbecue judges, created Bourbon & Blues BBQ, and eventually worked their way from backyard contests to competing against some of the best pitmasters in the country. In this episode of the Wise Guys BBQ Podcast, Colleen and JP discuss the steep learning curve of moving into the Masters division, traveling to competitions across the country, and developing a flavor profile that can score in different regions. JP explains how chicken went from one of his biggest struggles to the team’s strongest category—and why they’re now chasing Chicken Team of the Year. Colleen also shares the preparation, tasting, organization, desserts, social media, and behind-the-scenes work that keeps the team on track. They also dive into mentorship within the barbecue community, cooking on Weber Smokey Mountains and Cotton Gin smokers, the challenge of half-chicken turn-ins, finding the perfect “Texas tender” texture, and their favorite competitions. Plus, hear some hilarious Bill Gillespie stories, why competition teams chase unique trophies, and how the “Wild Child” side pot can turn an 11th-place finish into a major payday. Whether you’re a backyard cook, certified barbecue judge, or aspiring competition pitmaster, this episode offers an honest and entertaining look at what it takes to travel, compete, improve, and still have fun along the way. #competitionbbq #bbq #bbqpodcast #podcast #stories

    he Unexpected Beginning of Bourbon & Blues BBQ

  4. Jul 24

    Great BBQ Isn’t Enough: How to Market and Grow Your Business | Brandon Hurtado

    Brandon Hurtado joins Vin and Tommy the Butcher to share how he turned a backyard barbecue obsession into Hurtado Barbecue—one of Texas’s fastest-growing independent barbecue brands.Brandon’s journey began with food photography, an old offset smoker, and a small brewery pop-up selling barbecue tacos. Today, Hurtado Hospitality operates multiple locations, employs more than 250 people, and continues to expand beyond traditional barbecue with Tex-Mex concepts, catering, nationwide shipping, retail seasonings, and major partnerships with organizations like the Texas Rangers.Brandon opens up about the challenges behind that growth, including closing an unsuccessful location, making the risky decision to expand into dinner service, building consistent systems across multiple restaurants, and hiring experienced people who could help take the company to the next level.The conversation also explores:• How digital marketing helped launch Hurtado Barbecue• Why hospitality matters just as much as great food• The Tex-Mex influences behind Hurtado’s menu• How Mexican cornbread became a signature barbecue side• The creation of Loma, Brandon’s full-service Tex-Mex restaurant• Selling barbecue nationwide through live-shopping platforms• Building successful catering and sports partnerships• Brandon’s advice for creating a loyal audience and lasting brandThis is more than a barbecue success story—it’s an honest conversation about persistence, smart business decisions, creativity, and making every customer feel valued.Subscribe for more conversations with the pitmasters, restaurant owners, competitors, and personalities shaping today’s barbecue world.#HurtadoBarbecue #TexasBBQ #WiseGuysBBQ #digitalmarketing #bbqpodcast #business #businessadvice

    Great BBQ Isn’t Enough: How to Market and Grow Your Business | Brandon Hurtado

  5. Jul 17

    Inside the Rise of Whiskey Bent BBQ | Chad Ward

    Chad Ward’s competition BBQ journey started with a seventh-place finish and a loss to a troop of Boy Scouts. It eventually led him to Food Network’s *Chopped Grill Masters*, a major role in building the Traeger community, and cooking for celebrities like Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Ken Griffey Jr., Jason Aldean, Drew Brees, and Zac Brown. In this episode of the Wise Guys BBQ Podcast, Vin and Tommy the Butcher sit down with Chad Ward of Whiskey Bent BBQ to discuss his rise through the barbecue world. Chad shares how he went from competing across 27 states to growing a 900-square-foot barbecue shop into a 17,000-square-foot retail and manufacturing operation. Chad also breaks down what modern competition cooks are getting wrong, why rigid timelines cannot replace real cooking experience, and how learning to cook on unfamiliar smokers made him a better pitmaster. He takes us behind the scenes of *Chopped Grill Masters*, tells the story of the cold email that launched his relationship with Traeger, and reveals what it is really like cooking backstage for Jelly Roll and Post Malone. Plus, hear how Whiskey Bent BBQ got its name, why Jack Daniel’s sent Chad a cease-and-desist letter, what is next for the brand, and the unforgettable story of his surprise trip to compete against some of New England’s best barbecue teams. This episode is packed with competition BBQ knowledge, brand-building lessons, celebrity cooking stories, and plenty of laughs. Subscribe to Wise Guys BBQ for more pitmaster interviews, barbecue stories, recipes, competition coverage, and behind-the-scenes conversations from the world of BBQ. #bbqpodcast #podcast #foodpodcast #celebritychef #foodnetwork #bbq

    Inside the Rise of Whiskey Bent BBQ | Chad Ward

  6. Jul 10

    From Teacher to World-Class Pitmaster: Richard Fergola’s Winning BBQ Mindset

    What does it take to compete in more than 250 BBQ contests and build a respected name in the barbecue world? This week, the Wise Guys sit down with Richard Fergola, founder of Fergalicious BBQ, world-class pitmaster, educator, competition barbecue veteran, and creator of the Fergalicious line of BBQ rubs and sauces. Richard shares how he went from teaching special education and coaching championship-level wrestling to pursuing barbecue full-time. He breaks down the confidence, discipline, repetition, and mental toughness required to succeed on the competition BBQ circuit while sharing valuable barbecue tips for cooks at every level. The conversation covers his first competition, the hard lessons behind developing a winning BBQ program, chasing Team of the Year points, adapting to different judges, teaching backyard and competition barbecue classes, and even the painful story of missing a turn-in by just two seconds. Whether you are a competition cook, backyard pitmaster, or barbecue entrepreneur, this episode is packed with honest stories, practical barbecue tips, and valuable lessons from a pitmaster who has spent years mastering his craft. 🔥 In this episode: • Richard’s journey from educator and wrestling coach to professional pitmaster • The mindset required to compete at a high level • Lessons learned from more than 250 BBQ competitions • Barbecue tips for improving consistency and confidence • How he developed and refined his competition BBQ program • Backyard BBQ classes versus competition cooking classes • Building the Fergalicious BBQ rub and sauce brand • Why confidence, consistency, and failure are all part of winning Subscribe to Wise Guys BBQ for more pitmaster interviews, barbecue tips, recipes, competition adventures, and behind-the-scenes conversations from the BBQ world. If you would like to learn more about Richard or try his sauces and rubs, visit: https://www.fergoliciousbbq.com/ #bbqpodcast #pitmaster #outdoorcooking #foodpodcast #bbqtips #podcast

    From Teacher to World-Class Pitmaster: Richard Fergola’s Winning BBQ Mindset

  7. Jul 3

    We Tried Store-Bought Wing Sauces… One Stole the Show

    This week on the Wise Guys BBQ Podcast, Vin and Charlie are putting store-bought BBQ wing sauces to the test to find out which one belongs at your next backyard cookout. The guys taste and rate a lineup of sauces on chicken wings, including Sweet Baby Ray’s Garlic Parmesan, Kinder’s Gold BBQ Sauce, Sticky Fingers Honey BBQ, Japanese BBQ Sauce, and Nashville Heat. Some sauces bring the smoke, some bring the sweetness, and one sauce steals the show. Before the wing sauce showdown, the guys talk Fourth of July BBQ plans, brisket, beef ribs, fireworks, cookout chaos, Bob’s BBQ business, competition updates, Tommy’s smoked New England clam chowder, and the Wise Guys BBQ channel hitting over 2,000 subscribers. If you love BBQ podcasts, chicken wings, barbecue sauce reviews, Fourth of July cookout ideas, brisket talk, and classic Wise Guys BBQ laughs, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more BBQ recipes, barbecue podcasts, food reviews, BBQ road trips, grilling tips, smoker recipes, and behind-the-scenes stories from Wise Guys BBQ. #foodpodcast #bbqpodcast #bbqsauce #tastetest #wings #food

    We Tried Store-Bought Wing Sauces… One Stole the Show

  8. Jun 26

    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

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

4
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Wise Guys BBQ is a podcast dedicated to exploring and sharing barbecue tips and insights. Join our cohosts weekly for episodes filled with valuable information and entertaining anecdotes from our talented hosts.

Information

  • Creator
    Vincent Porcaro
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Wise Guys BBQ

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