Stories Behind the Brand Podcast
From Backyard BBQ to Championship Pitmaster
For Episode 2 of Stories Behind the Brand, we fire things up with Ryan King, competition pitmaster and owner of King’s BBQ in Jacksonville, FL.
Ryan’s journey started like many pitmasters—grilling with his dad at family cookouts. But one fateful Fourth of July in 2014, while watching BBQ Pitmasters, he boldly declared, “I can compete with these guys.” Turns out, they were really good, and Ryan had a long road ahead.
Since then, he’s built an impressive resume, earning:
- 6 Grand Championships
- 7 Reserve Grand Championships
- Multiple perfect scores
- Top-10 finishes across multiple BBQ categories
But his passion doesn’t stop at competition. Ryan has grown King’s BBQ into a successful catering and lunch business while also developing his own line of rubs and sauces.
The Early Struggles: Bad Brisket & Hard-Learned Lessons
Success didn’t come easy. Ryan admits that his first competition BBQ was, well, terrible.
“I’ve cooked ribs so tough people needed a knife to get the meat off the bone. My first brisket? It was like shoe leather.”
He spent years perfecting his craft, taking BBQ classes, and competing—even when he placed dead last. His breakthrough moment came in 2020 when he entered a contest in Bonifay, FL. Convinced he had lost, he left early. That night, he got a call—he had actually placed in the top 10. From that moment, he knew he belonged.
“You have to fail before you succeed. You need people who love you enough to eat bad BBQ and tell you to keep going.”
BBQ Family: The Culture of Competition
BBQ competitions are fierce, but they’re also one big family.
“If you need something at a competition—wood, a smoker, even a blender—your competitors will help you out.”
Ryan doesn’t just compete—he gives back, sharing tips with newcomers and keeping the BBQ family tradition alive.
Building a Business: Catering, Lunch Service & Award-Winning Sauces
Ryan has turned his competition success into a thriving BBQ business:
🍖 King’s BBQ Catering – Serving up championship-quality BBQ at events across Central Florida & throughout the nation.
🍖 Lunch Service in Jacksonville – A go-to spot for slow-smoked meats and classic Southern sides.
🍖 King’s BBQ Sauces & Rubs – Expertly crafted blends developed from years of competition experience.
Want to taste what championship BBQ is all about? Order his rubs and sauces today!
Faith, Family & BBQ
For Ryan, BBQ isn’t just about food—it’s about faith.
“Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and by His grace, I get to walk this path.”
His mother, Debbie King, also plays a huge role. A competition cook in her own right, she’s famous for her perfect-score chocolate lush dessert and is an integral part of King’s BBQ.
“If you put in a catering request on our website, you’ll hear from her before you hear from me!”
The Power of Digital Marketing & Content Creation
Ryan credits his growth in part to Howell Studios’ video production and digital marketing services.
“Before Howell Studios, I was a kid playing in a sandbox. After Howell Studios, BBQ leaders started reaching out, telling me how good my content was.”
Thanks to his new website, strong social media presence, and video content, King’s BBQ is now ranking in the top five for BBQ catering searches in Jacksonville.
Need help growing your brand? Check out Howell Studios services for video production, social media marketing, and website development.
