👉🏽 Before you do anything else — check out the site below!🎙️ The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BlackSmokeBarbecue
🔥 In this powerful episode of the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast, Brandon and the crew sit down with the trailblazing KJ Kearney — founder of Black Food Fridays and recipient of the prestigious James Beard Award. Together, they dig into KJ’s inspiring journey through food, culture, and community activism.
🍽️ From the birth of Black Food Fridays to the heart of Gullah Geechee traditions and Red Rice Day, KJ shares how food can be a force for change. He opens up about the highs and challenges of winning a James Beard Award, the mental toll of public visibility, and how legacy and storytelling shape the future of Black culinary excellence.
🎧 Tune in for:
The origin story behind Black Food Fridays
The mission of Bite the Power and why storytelling matters
Navigating pushback in the culinary space
Mental health and social media in the spotlight
The importance of preserving Black food heritage (including KJ’s 500-menu collection!)
The dream of a Black food museum and what’s next for the culture
This episode is a flavorful mix of truth, tradition, and transformation — don’t miss it!
👇 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite Black-owned restaurant or dish!
#BlackSmokeBBQPodcast #BlackFoodFridays #KJKearney #JamesBeardAward #BlackFoodCulture #BiteThePower #GullahGeechee #RedRiceDay #CulinaryLegacy #FoodForChange #BlackOwnedRestaurants
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast
04:58 The Birth of Black Food Fridays
10:00 Navigating Pushback and Critique
15:01 The Importance of Mental Health and Social Media
20:13 The Journey to the James Beard Award
28:19 The Weight of Recognition
30:41 Navigating Expectations and Reality
32:41 Responsibility and Legacy
36:39 Bite the Power: A Culinary Movement
44:43 Red Rice Day: Celebrating Cultural Heritage
49:32 Exploring Culinary Favorites and Traditions
50:15 Top Black-Owned Restaurants to Visit
56:22 The Journey to Collect 500 Menus
01:01:25 Documenting Black Culinary Heritage
01:04:36 The Importance of Community in Food Culture
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