Community Matters Café Executive Chef Chayil Johnson shares his story of culinary service that extends beyond the food menu. Learn how he combines his Creole heritage, traditional African foodway influences, Middle Eastern flavor, and a formal education into one-of-a-kind gumbo for Charlotte Rescue Mission’s life skills program.

Chayil explains where Community Matters Café fits into the mission’s 180-day addiction recovery program. Working in New Orleans kitchens at 12 and matriculating to Charlotte’s Johnson & Wales a decade ago, Chayil is earning recognition from the James Beard Foundation, Charlotte media and industry organizations. Hear how he credits his own hard work and a community of family and global influencers that clearly matter in the food he creates.

This episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show is sponsored by Carolina Barbecue Festival, April 17-18 at Victoria Yards in Charlotte. 30+ pitmasters from the Carolinas and beyond celebrate the traditions of whole hog barbecue while supporting Operation BBQ Relief. Reserve your tickets today for the Kickoff, the Festival, or a full weekend of barbecue.

Visit the Low & Slow Barbecue website here!

American Barbecue map designer Joseph Veazey compiled barbecue history, people, and places into a one-of-a-kind map that chronicles the evolution of smoked meat traditions in the United States. Find out how Joseph decided which BBQ joints, cities and states to include in the map. Joseph explains his method for researching and crafting his unique map designs. You’ll hear his passion for barbecue and learn what’s coming next in his barbecue map project, including an illustration specifically focused on North Carolina to complement his Georgia barbecue map. EXCLUSIVE: Don’t miss the big reveal of his next project examining certain landmarks in Atlanta. Learn more about Veazey Studio and where you can find Joseph and his artwork out in the world.

This episode is sponsored by Carolina BBQ Festival, April 17-18 at Victoria Yards in Charlotte. 30+ pitmasters from the Carolinas and beyond celebrate the traditions of whole hog barbecue while supporting Operation BBQ Relief. Reserve your tickets today for the Kickoff, the Festival, or a full weekend of barbecue.

Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!

Meet Mama Jean’s BBQ founder Madison Ruckel, who first started live-fire cooking with Home Team BBQ in West Ashley. From that foundation, hear where he assigns credit for his ongoing success (spoiler: the hard work of his wife, Kelli, and some wise business decisions play a big role). Learn what to expect during a visit to his Roanoke, VA, restaurant, which opened last year after 7 years of food truck life in a 1956 Airstream trailer. Get Madison Ruckel’s inside tips for making Mama Jean’s BBQ collards, what it takes to feed the NFL’s Washington Commanders, and how global cooking adventures have influenced his barbecue journey. Don’t miss your chance to sample Madison Ruckel’s barbecue entrée at Carolina BBQ Festival’s Brisket and Biscuits barbecue brunch, March 28.

This episode is sponsored by Carolina BBQ Festival, April 17-18 at Victoria Yards in Charlotte. 30+ pitmasters from the Carolinas and beyond celebrate the traditions of whole hog barbecue while supporting Operation BBQ Relief. Reserve your tickets today for the Kickoff, the Festival, or a full weekend of barbecue.

Visit The Low & Slow Barbecue Show website here!