Joseph Haynes
Joseph Haynes is the author of two books, Virginia’s Barbecue and From Barbycu to Barbecue.
His books really illuminated the role of African Americans in Barbecue with significant scholarship and deep analysis, not just surface level research. Joseph Haynes acknowledgement of black people in barbecue should be heralded, even though he is overlooked by many. Joseph is a native Virginian that in addition to being an author, he is an award-winning barbecue cook, and certified master barbecue judge.
Pat Neely
Pat Neely is one of the earlier black BBQ restaurant business owners that went on to embark on a career as one of America’s favorite celebrity chefs with Food Network’s Down Home with the Neelys.
Down Home with the Neelys ran for 13 seasons. Pat Neely was wildly successful in media before social media exploded, so his work paved the way for so many to follow. He was a barrier breaking chef, restaurateur, TV Personality, and Bestselling author hailing from Memphis, TN. The TV show appearances and people lives that he touched using barbecue as a launchpad is epic for many to emulate.
Roger Mooking
Roger Mooking brought bbq and grilling to the masses with over 10 seasons of the show Man, Fire, Food as an award winning host and chef.
His show Man, Fire, Food was the longest running show on the Cooking Channel and it did more for the barbecue world than any other show, in the modern era. The popular traveling show was ahead of its time, but elevated the future of live fire cooking. Roger was also the host of “Greatest of America, Man’s Greatest Food, Everyday Exotic, where he did work that impacted the USA and international world. If being a host is not enough, he is a celebrity chef, restaurateur, television host, author, and award-winning recording artist. Roger is Trinidadian born, Canadian raised individual that is globally recognized.