Hi im ben from the midlands

[Backyardsmoker]

Hi, I came across this forum yesturday (2nd march) and decided to join. Late last summer I discovered the world of low n slow smoing food. The first time a smoked a whole chicken in a bread tin and a rolled pork joint. I couldnt believe how amazing they turned out. I'll never cook meat like that in the summer any different. Now spring is upon us I have drawn up plans for my garden. I am purchasing a summer house putting some decking down and build a bbq and smoker. At work we had a massive walled knocked down so ive slavaged 350 bricks for this project. The smoker is going to be my favorite part. Using a 45 gallon dru and a gardon incinerator. I will post pics when I get it going. Anyway I cant wait to start posting. And using all the tips ive read on here so far. Im taking everything on board as I want to turn professional at this and one day open some where that sells amazing smoked food and bbq'd food. Cheers guys.

[Eddie]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have some interesting projects coming up . As for doing it for a living, I've wanted to do it myself as well, until I read a blunt and a reality check post from a very nice bloke John Hargate from the BBQ Shack. (Y'all know how hard it is to stay up all night and cook a brisket and a shoulder then cook some ribs and chicken well the following morning. Good! Well imagine doing that on a greater scale , day in , day out 5,6 or 7 days a week. Imagine the VAT man chasing your ass for 20% of everything you sell. Staff who f'3c& you around. Severely mashed up sleeping patterns. Risking every penny you have for the love of BBQ. You still think running a BBQ restaurant is easy? Go on! Open one up if you got big enough cojones!)


Eddie

[Saucy Pig]

Hey welcome to the forums.
Where about in the Midlands are you? I'm in Stoke
Good luck with your coming builds, sounds like you know what you want.

As for opening a place of your own. Why the hell not? Everyone has to have a dream.
I'm sure you know that its never going to be easy, no-one is going to come up and hand you what you want. But if you know what you want and have a decent idea on how to go about getting it, there's no reason why you cant be living that dream.

Take me. I love BBQ and hate my job. The thought of doing something I hate for the rest of my natural would have me climbing a clock tower with a hunting rifle. So I thought about catering. Id put food on for a few parties, getting the usual compliments "you should make money off this".. so I thought why the hell not.

Ive just recently catered my first event for 75 people. Have another couple parties booked and possibly some small local music festivals this summer. I sure wont be quitting my job just yet but its certainly making it more bearable.

Keep the faith brother.

Nick

[Backyardsmoker]

I was thinking more of a mobile thing. Ive drawn up plans for a pull cart smoker. Obviously I need to get the smoking down to a tee. Im already self employed and work silly hours so that kind of thing doesnt worry me. Im passionate about food as it is. And I have been looking into doing mobile catering for a year or so. Just swems everyone is doing it but no one is doing mobile smoked/grilled food. I'll keep you all informed on how things go.

[Backyardsmoker]

Btw im from a place called ashby de la zouch.