I shoot about 50,000 pictures a year across all the contests and events I judge. Every once in a while, I take a photo that really speaks to me. Here they are. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
The artichokes that glow in the afternoon sun at The French Laundry’s garden. (Yountville, CA, May 5, 2012)
The meat cutting room at City Market in Luling, TX (November 19, 2012). This was really early on in my food blogging work, just in my second year. This was my first tour of East Central Texas, and my first visit to the historic City Market. The cutting room is in this little room in back, just large enough to squeeze in and call out an order. This photo was taken on my iPhone using a photo app with a heavy filter, which really brings out the character of the room.
The fresh nutmeg at the French market in Marigot on the island of St. Martin (March 21, 2015)
The okra and (I believe) redfish at Coquette (New Orleans, LA, July 15, 2017)
Mr. Theodus of Hawk’s BBQ (Little Rock, AR, April 27, 2018). I love how even after all these years, he still squints from the smoke.
SCA points champion Dan Judd (Little Rock, AR, June 1, 2019)
The pork Tonkatsu ramen at Craftsman (Vail, CO, June 11, 2019)
Chef Bryce Gibson, Barley Swine (Austin, TX, September 13, 2019)
I’ve been working on my brisket game a long time. This is one of my favorites. (October 31, 2020)
Gris-Gris chef-owner Eric Cook (New Orleans, LA, May 1, 2021)
Hanging out with the Winningest Man in Barbecue, Myron Mixon at the 2021 Memphis in May competition (Memphis, TN, May 14, 2021). His son Michael took this picture of us using my camera. You can see his reflection in my sunglasses.
2010 Memphis in May World Champion Melissa Cookston (Memphis, TN, May 14, 2021)
John Lindsey of @allquedupbbq (Ozark, MS, July 10, 2021). This was an early morning shot, and I love how I caught John walking towards me through the smoke.
Marty Plute, the most focused steak competitor I know. (Columbia, IL, October 15, 2021)
Unknown competitor (Columbia, IL, October 15, 2021). I love how all you can really see through that smoke is his hand on the grill.
Big Jim Hudgins (Columbia, IL, October 15, 2021)
Steak cook Robbie Smaili (Byhalia, MS, November 12, 2021). I love the sparks above and below.
Steak cook David Maier (El Dorado, AR, December 11, 2021). More sparks.
Steak cook Chris Barber (Wilson, AR, April 9, 2022)
Steak cook B. J. Greene (Searcy, AR, June 17, 2022)
Steak cooks Carie and John Green (Searcy, AR, June 17, 2022)
Steak cook Leanne Caruso (Searcy, AR, June 17, 2022)
The steak cooks from Bottomland BBQ out of Vilonia, AR (Searcy, AR, June 17, 2022)
Unknown steak cook (Southaven, MS, August 6, 2022)
Steak cook Chris Barber (Jonesboro, AR, September 23, 2022)
Gus, Big Bob Gibson’s, Memphis in May 2023 (Memphis, TN, May 20, 2023)
