I have always loved barbecue and my competitive spirit led me to try and perfect many rubs, sauces, mops, and injections for Chicken, Ribs, Pork Shoulder and Brisket. After many attempts and tastings, I was ready for a pit to give the meat its distinguished smokey taste.
In 2005 I purchased my first "pit", it was a Bradley digital smoker. This smoker worked well for what I was smoking at the time, sausage and jerky. Although it worked well there was something about using the little wood pucks that just didn't sit well with me and didn't feel authentic. This smoker is where I first started smoking ribs.
In the spring of 2009 I welded together a wire grate and built a stationary pit out of cement blocks. This is the same year that i bought two pigs "Willy" and "Nelson". Later that summer I had two pig roasts which were a big hit with the neighbor hood and I thought turned out pretty well. Looking back I'm convinced that this experience is where I first learned the joy I can get out of someone eating my food. The whole hog experience was great but only using charcoal for heat left me with a void to fill, I wanted that wood flavor!
Toward the end of 2009 I built a pit out of an old fuel tank and half of a 55 gallon drum. This pit was hard on the eyes and harder to cook on and when the winter weather hit it was impossible to maintain a constant temperature. I was now convinced that the double-walled insulated fire box found on Jambo pits would be perfect for my weather conditions, and worth the money.
After a trip to Fort Worth, Texas, and meeting Jamie Geer, the owner of http://www.jambopits.com , I was lined up to be the proud new owner of my very own Jambo pit! Upon returning I officially started Fat 'n Happy BBQ on February 16, 2010 when I made it my official team name to compete on the KCBS barbecue circuit. My pit will be ready on April 15, 2010 and my first planned competition is May 28. I've got my fingers crossed!
2011 Fat N Happy will begin offering catering services. Looking forward to meeting new people, smoking up some good grub and making all of our clients Fat N Happy!
