Where did it all start

Can you point to a specific event or happenstance and say “That’s it! That’s what started all of this!”? Each point in time has importance; but there was a choice, a conversation or a decision that preceded this spot in time and that lead you down your current path… something, that if changed, would not have brought you to where you are now. So honestly, I can’t tell you that “This time, this event… This is the thing that created J.R. Smokey’s”

I can tell you a story of a few key events that seem instrumental for me. Probably the biggest singular event was Tracy joining the Elm City Derby Damez. That was what lead up to us meeting and getting to know a group of the sweetest, most loving, sexy and kick ass group of ladies that you'd ever want to meet. Ladies that welcomed Tracy & I into their circle of friends with open hearts, and invited us to come along on their adventures. I’d point to some of those adventures as the seeds for our growth into a BBQ & Catering business.

During the derby season in the summer of 2011, we went to a party with some of the Damez, along with many of their significant others, at Daisy Duke Nukem’s Uncle Eric’s place… a place fondly called Sander’s State park. That was the first time I really got to know the girls outside of a roller derby ring or fundraising event. I also met a bunch of the husbands, boyfriends, family members and guys that were part of the whole crew, including John.

So there we were, cooking up a storm. There were all kinds of tasty foods roasting and smoking on the grills. John & I started babbling about food, BBQ, charcoal vs. propane, the best BBQ sauces, beer…all kinds of stuff. At one point, I mentioned that someday I really wanted try and to do a pig roast. We got talking about the whole idea and decided that sometime we should do one… you know, the kind of sometime that’s out there, but like as not, may or may not ever happen. Beer talk.

We didn’t go much further than that on the idea front. There were no big epiphanies that night, nothing major scheduled, no big plans for future endeavors formulated. The pig roast idea was just left floating out there in someday world.  One of those great beer ideas. After that chat, we all went on our way, enjoying the food, the party, the beer, the bonfire and the great company of friends.

Who knew that only three months later, we would actually be hosting our first Pig Roast… at an end of the season party for the Derby Damez… and that party would hurtle us down the path even further towards the birth of J.R. Smokey’s.

The Birth of J.R. Smokey’s

It starts as a random remark, a joke, a shared bottle opener at a late night BBQ at a camp way up in Vermont. The next thing you know, you have a catering business and plans for a future restaurant. How the hell did this happen? How did a life long dream, something to do someday manifest itself and all of a sudden become a successful enterprise with the promise of huge growth, and a ton of fun?

Its a long story. I’ll tell you that story over the next blog or two. I’ll also keep you informed and up to date on current events, what’s cookin’ and general Smokey’s shenanigans.

So welcome to J.R. Smokey’s blog. Stop by often. See what’s new and what we’re cookin’ up. Leave a comment, ask a question, book a gig. We’ll be glad to see you!