Nov 14, 2024
Crazy Gringo BBQ began well before 2019, without me
even realizing it. Various experiences in my life led me to
discover what brings me peace: cooking for people! I particularly
enjoy cooking outdoors on grills, although I'm not limited to that.
My culinary journey started when I was a young boy. I joined Cub
Scouts around the age of five, and I began cooking shortly after
that, particularly during camping trips.
I remember planning the menu for our weekend
camping excursions and cooking meals with my patrol. We often used
a camping stove, a hiking stove, a Dutch oven, or a BBQ. I treasure
the memories of these events and the camping trips I took with my
dad. One dish that stands out is a Cornish game hen and wild rice
recipe we prepared in a Dutch oven, always paired with a berry,
peach, or apple cobbler for dessert.
As I grew older and moved on from Boy Scouts, my
father continued to love cooking and BBQing as a way to bring our
extended family together. He truly had the right idea—food does
bring people together! I vividly recall one occasion when all our
aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered at our home. My dad bought all
the ingredients and printed out recipes for everyone, and we all
cooked together in my parents' kitchen. That experience ultimately
shaped my goal: I love helping those who want to learn or are
interested in cooking.
When my wife and I purchased our home in 2012, my
parents gifted us a BBQ. My dad's passion for outdoor cooking was
obvious, and this gift confirmed my own love for it. We cooked
together several times at our house and at my parents' place. My
dad particularly enjoyed grilling ribs or burgers. Like me, he
would also cook the Thanksgiving turkey or the Christmas ham on the
BBQ.
In 2016, my dad was diagnosed with acute myeloid
leukemia and was admitted to the City of Hope. He managed to come
home for about a month during his treatment, and I remember cooking
ribs on the grill for our family in the backyard while everyone
gathered. Although they weren't the best ribs I've ever made,
seeing how happy he was to be home and enjoying them was
unforgettable. Little did I know, that would be the last time I
cooked ribs for my father. He passed away in September 2016, and I
felt lost for some time after that.
I continued to BBQ as an ordinary person might, but
I struggled with moderate depression and found it challenging to
navigate life. In 2018, I discovered a clearance pellet smoker at
Walmart and decided to buy it. I assembled it that day and tried my
hand at cooking on it. Like many newcomers, the first thing I made
was pulled pork. From that first cook, I developed an addiction to
this hobby. It allowed me to connect with my father, who had
passed, and to bring joy to others through delicious food.
Over the years, my passion for cooking has grown,
and I've learned to use a variety of grills and smokers, including
charcoal ceramic grills, drum smokers, offset smokers, and one of
my favorites, my Cedar Creek Asadera. I have competed in cook-offs,
placing fourth overall with the Cedar Creek team while cooking over
an open fire. Additionally, I’ve been fortunate to cater for events
with as many as 1,000 guests using a 500-gallon offset smoker. I am
grateful for every opportunity to learn and to elevate Crazy Gringo
BBQ to the next level.