Barbecue With Purpose: Stan Hays and Champion Pitmaster Tillman Lee Nelson III

In this episode, Carl sits down with Stan Hays, co founder and CEO of Operation BBQ Relief, to talk about what it really looks like to feed people on the worst day of their lives. From the recent deployment to Jamaica after a massive hurricane to the emotional weight of serving their thirteen millionth meal, Stan shares the stories behind the numbers, including the moment a simple pulled pork sandwich became a symbol of love, humanity and hope.

Joining the conversation in studio is champion pitmaster Tillman Lee Nelson III of Tillmans BBQ. Tillman rolls in with award winning brisket, his Perfect 200 rub and honest talk about the grind of the competition circuit, marriage on the road, barbecue family and why he still watches every face in the room when people take that first bite. Together, Stan and Tillman dig into why barbecue has such a deep emotional pull, how the barbecue community shows up for each other, and what it means to use food as a vehicle for comfort, connection and service.

Key takeaways:

• What it takes for Operation BBQ Relief to activate in places like Jamaica and why safety, dignity and cultural respect matter as much as the food.

• How a pulled pork sandwich, a parking lot and one stranger’s gratitude helped Stan find his “why” and changed how he sees the work forever.

• Why competitive barbecue is a family sport for Tillman, how his wife Amy became the real secret weapon, and why the barbecue community feels like a second family.

• Simple ways listeners can get involved, from volunteering with OBR at OBR.org to supporting the people doing the cooking in their own communities.

About Walk-In Talk Podcast and Walk In Talk Media:

• Walk-In Talk Podcast is hosted by food industry veteran and storyteller Carl Fiadini, shining a light on the flavor, the hustle and the heart of the industry. Walk-In Talk is the official podcast for the New York, California and Florida Restaurant Shows and the Pizza Tomorrow Summit, and the on-site media partner for the US Culinary Open at the NAFEM Show. Walk In Talk Media is also the North American media platform for The Burnt Chef Project and regularly supports cause driven partners like Operation BBQ Relief and Hogs for the Cause. Recorded at Ibis Images Studios, where food photography comes alive and Carl gets the first bite. Learn more at thewalkintalk.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

Aussie Select - Fully cooked, premium Australian lamb

Fully cooked, premium Australian lamb—ready to serve and packed with clean flavor.

RAK Porcelain USA -Tableware

We use RAK for all in-studio tableware—clean, durable, and designed for chefs.

Metro Foodservice Solutions

Kitchen and back-of-house systems for better flow and function.

Citrus America

Citrus America – Commercial-grade juicing systems built for speed and yield.