Big Lee's food truck began as a hobby for TV star and celebrated pitmaster Rashad Jones after he was inspired by his wife's uncle, Leon Archie — nicknamed "Big Lee" — and his special blend of barbecue and hospitality at Thanksgiving dinner 2011 at his wife's family home in Greenwood, Mississippi. Leon was a source of inspiration, and when he passed in 2012, Rashad and his wife, Patrice, decided to self-educate on the business of barbecue and launch Big Lee's in his honor.
In 2013, Rashad Jones entered the local Bad to the Bone BBQ competition, where his food took first place in every category, giving him the boost he needed to establish Big Lee's as a barbecue business. A loyal fan base soon developed and in a short span of time, Big Lee's became a locally and nationally recognized brand. Just two years after opening Big Lee's BBQ food truck in Ocala, Florida, Rashad attracted the attention of Food Network star Guy Fieri's show, Guy's Big Project. After winning the competition, the self-proclaimed barbecue nerd landed his own show, Eat, Sleep, BBQ where he traveled the country in search of amazing BBQ. Rashad was recently crowned as the Food Network's Master of 'Que after sweeping season 3 of BBQ Brawl and never losing a challenge during the show's 8 week competition becoming the first pitmaster to take down celebrity chef Bobby Flay for the first time in the show's history. Rashad rematched Bobby Flay on Food Network's hit show Beat Bobby Flay for a second time. Rashad and Big Lee's BBQ was also featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives.
The Food Network alum has earned many accolades including many TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence. Food and Wine Magazine named Big Lee's BBQ as one of the 50 Best BBQ Spots in the US and #1 in Florida. He has shared his inspiring story with local and national publications and news outlets. He has also served as a guest chef at mega-restaurateur and founder of Shake Shack Danny Meyer's famed NYC eatery Blue Smoke, a restaurant that strives to celebrate Southern culinary traditions.
Rashad is most proud of his commitment to delivering high-quality barbecue, hospitality and service to his customers. Big Lee's quality barbecue is only cooked on handmade, custom fabricated, stick burners, a process that takes time and special attention —and delivers the very best results!
Rashad also knows a little something about lighting fires in the hearts and minds of the thousands of individuals who've had the opportunity to hear him speak. He's spoken around the US, the Cayman Islands and the US Virgin Islands at conferences, leadership seminars, classrooms and any place where there's a crowd who's hungry for an inspiring and uplifting message.
Interested in having Rashad speak at your event to give your attendees the recipe for success and to set their hearts and minds on fire with pure inspiration? We'll if you answered "yes", just fill out the form below!