Our Vision:

     At Backyard BBQ School our passion has become our business, and our passion is BBQ. Authentic southern style BBQ is an art that is prepared with fire from hardwoods and quality charcoals.

     Our vision is to cover all the aspects of this art form. Rediscover a rich American tradition from all three of our services: at Backyard BBQ Catering taste the low and slow, sweet and smoky at one of your own catered BBQ events, learn BBQ basics and fundamentals at Backyard BBQ School held monthly at Lakes Park as a licensed Lee County vendor, or get the coolest BBQ pit/smoker from Backyard BBQ Outfitters. We build custom smokers so you can have the best equipment. Click on our Outfitters link to see the “Smokehouse36.”

My BBQ story:

     Many years ago I bought a smoker, the double barrel kind, and just about killed my family with some really bad food. I loved the BBQ I ate at local restaurants, but I couldn't make it in my backyard. I kept trying, but my improvements were slow and distasteful. My desperate wife, Jessica, finally bought me a couple books that gave me some practical advice, as well as, some cultural, historical and regional information that is very interesting, if you like that kind of stuff. My improvements were slow at best, but they were to the point where people began asking me when the next time I was “gonna do some 'Q'.”

     For my 40th birthday, my wife took me to Jacksonville to attend a BBQ class. We paid $150.00 and learned a little about BBQ and a lot about what I would do if I had my own class. As a result of my love for BBQ and the memories it has given my family over the years, I developed the business plan for Backyard BBQ School. Lots of folks love that BBQ flavor and are eager to learn how to replicate it, but they aren’t willing to invest the time (years) to learn the art by themselves. Many people explain to me that they boil, bake or soak in coke what they are about to put on their gas grill. None of that will be happening in our class. Hardwood fuel, charcoal, spices, sauce, a “Pit” and a Saturday afternoon with your favorite cold drink is all you need to make some sweet and smoky memories (family and friends most importantly.)

The BBQ Team:

     Backyard BBQ School is going to be run  by me, Emmett Todd, my wife Jessica, and my teenage children Lauren and Jared as well as Wes Collins who also is my WebMaster. As a family we invite you to join us at beautiful Lakes Park for a day of fun, food and fellowship. Backyard BBQ Catering is operated by a group of long time friends who have grown up together, gone to church together, raised children together, Wes Collins, Earl Morris, Carmen Carriero and me, the BBQ nerd. Backyard BBQ Outfitters is a combined effort between my concept and design idea’s and a fifth generation Floridian welder Michael Thomas.