Wise Guys Barbecue Podcast

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

Wise Guys Barbecue 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. From Teacher to World-Class Pitmaster: Richard Fergola’s Winning BBQ Mindset

    1d ago

    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

    46 min
  2. We Tried Store-Bought Wing Sauces… One Stole the Show

    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

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

    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

    46 min
  4. Live Fire BBQ Is Changing the Game | 100th Episode with Al Frugoni

    Jun 19

    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

    40 min
  5. Chunky BBQ: From Turn-In Chaos to Championship Wins

    Jun 12

    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

    41 min
  6. Wise Guys BBQ Enters Competition BBQ | Bristol BBQ Bash, Live Fire Cooking & BBQ Safari Plans

    Jun 5

    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

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

    May 29

    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

    40 min
  8. The BBQ Bus Story: Competition Barbeque, Brisket Wins & Brutal Judging

    May 22

    The BBQ Bus Story: Competition Barbeque, Brisket Wins & Brutal Judging

    In this episode of the Wise Guys BBQ Podcast, Vin, Charlie, and special guest Bob Bowman from Big Bobby’s Q sit down with Brian and Brandon Dwyer of The Barbecue Bus, a father-and-son competition BBQ team with a great story, plenty of wins, and no shortage of honest opinions. Brian and Brandon talk about how they got started in competition barbeque, the story behind the original BBQ Bus, and how they turned it into a traveling competition setup with a prep space, kitchen area, and everything needed for serious BBQ contests. They also break down what it is like cooking together as a father-son team, why brisket became one of their strongest categories, and how they’ve earned major success in the competition world. The conversation gets into KCBS judging, certified judges, rising competition costs, what happens when great food doesn’t get called, and the reality of cooking for six strangers at the judging table. The guys also talk about chicken, rub development, the Peep Show seasoning, American Royal success, World Cup qualifiers, MBN contests, and why competition BBQ can be both rewarding and frustrating. Plus, they share thoughts on Chicago barbecue, rib tips, hot links, Sweet Baby Ray’s, and the BBQ spots that deserve more attention. Whether you follow KCBS BBQ competitions, love behind-the-scenes BBQ stories, or just want to hear from a team that has lived the ups and downs of the circuit, this episode is packed with competition insight, laughs, and real barbeque talk. Watch now and join the Wise Guys BBQ crew for a deep dive into the BBQ Bus story. #bbq #competitionbbq #bbqpodcast #barbecue

    39 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Wise Guys Barbecue 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.

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