Stumbling Steer BBQ - Smoked Pork and Millionaire Bacon - Jacksonville, Florida

by Tom Kennedy
(Jacksonville, FL, USA)

Stumbling Steer BBQ

At age 9, my smoking education began 1 mile east of Blossom, Texas, where my father began teaching me how to smoke on Red Oak and Hickory that was harvested off of the farm. Upon leaving the family farm in Northeast Texas, I stumbled my way to college. After that, I spent one tour on the USS RAMSEY FFG2 and had the privilege to see most of the world. After being introduced to the diverse chiles of Thailand, it was then, that my love for spice came along. After the Navy, I stumbled into Tucson, AZ, where I met my wife, Cathy, and the adventures of Southwest cooking lit up my taste buds.

Cathy and I stumbled our way back to the farm for a few years, and BBQ and smoking meats became the norm for friends and family. From Blossom, TX, we headed West to Santa Barbara, CA, were I was introduced to my Itallian mother-in law, Barbara Martinez, and also to Santa Maria-style BBQ/smoking techniques over an open oak flame. For 14 years, I supported the Santa Barbara Boys and Girls Club Alumni, and volunteered at their BBQ fundraiser events. The elders in the Alumni were masters at Santa Maria-style BBQ and allowed me to train under them. Thank you “guys”, for the knowledge and good times.

In 2003, Cathy's company transferred us to Jacksonville, FL. We continued to BBQ and smoke meats for our new Floridian friends, and I began introducing some of my mother-in-laws Italian cooking techniques into my own sauces and rubs. Ten years later, our friends and family have inspired us to move forward with “Stumbling Steer BBQ”.

Will travel 250 miles for an event. Contact information for booking:

Stumbling Steer BBQ
904-887-1089
stumblingsteerbbq.com