The time I learned how to make BBQ by Caitlyn Croft

   It was an early morning around 5ish. It was a beautiful morning I had just taken my dog outside to use the bathroom. My dad had a hobby when he was a teen. He enjoyed making BBQ. The next day we were going to go up to Franklin County for a garden tracker pull.

It’s where you take weights and put it on the tracker and try to pull a huge weight thing. It’s a southern thang. Most people think it’s a waste of time because like who got time for that. I enjoy tracker pulls. It goes from ages seven to ages up. The young kids have to have a push brake and a parent walking beside for safety reasons. It’s more fun than you think. Lots of country kids do it. I used to but it’s a lot of time and gets very pricey.

So always, my dad was making BBQ and I was watching and learning because I was nine and easily got distracted. I would help him with everything. I normally would hand him stuff. I learned pretty fast but I wasn’t as into it was I am now. He started the grill and I picked up the cookie tray with the butt on it. He put in on the grill. We went inside and cleaned up. Dad and I watched TV as we waited a few hours for it the start cooking. The humidity is key for smoking but so is temperature.

We checked it then when to Kroger down the street and got hotdog and hamburgers. He took me to exxon to get some snacks. The BBQ was almost ready. His friend Jo, also known as Jojo, came over and gave us the shirts for their little business “Hobo Jo’s BBQ”. I was very happy because there was a shirt that fit me. I have sadly out grown it now but I had got tired of wearing way bigger shirts. I love the fact that had this side business. I still get excited when I get to make BBQ. I love it, every part the smells, taste, and the face people make when you give them some.

The next morning, I got up around 6am because it was time to load the truck. It was a normally work out. Get everything by the truck. I was the person to organize everything to make it fix because I am good at it and smaller so I can make things fix. First, the grill and pull iceboxes. Next, boxes and paper towels and such. Finally, the tarp so nothing blows out. Inside the truck, I put bags of buns in the seat beside me. I get kicked the back seat because Jo rides with us.

Now, I make BBQ like all the time. For family, friends, team mates, and so many people. I enjoy what I do. I hardly ever get bored of it because I’ve known how to do it for so long. From a kid to now its like nothing has changed. The way the meat feels when I put rub on it and the smell of the apple wood and my secret seasons for the rub. The way people talk about the BBQ like no one has ever aten before. One lady once told me “never stop what you do. Even if people get tired of it. Try to mix it up”. People never understand how words stick in others head. The way everyone acts like Christmas when I make it is unforgettable.

I had actually made some BBQ not long ago. I had told like two people maybe three. The next day, the “fanclub” as I call them were asking me some. I had a list of like twenty people that wanted BBQ. I had the meat for a class. The class actually ate all of it. I didn’t really think it was that good but people really like it. I’m not really a fan of my BBQ because it just taste like meat. My dad and I had a mini contest to see whose was better. Mine won, His has more stuff injected than rub. Where mine has more rub than stuff injected. I put more of rub to make sure the seasons stick.

In conclusion, enjoy what you do, not what others want you to do. I have learned that I love what I do. My childhood made me the way I am. This would help me in the future because I could make a business for it. For my “fanclub” I haven’t made that discussion yet.  Try new things. It might be better than you think and you might enjoy it.