The Platter That Explained Everything: Inside Interstellar Barbecue in Austin

There was not a bad bite. Everything was balanced. Any two proteins, any side, any pairing, it all worked.

May 28 • Fireside News

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Heath Riles Proves the Best Cooks Don’t Chase New Tricks

“I’m not changing from last year,” he says. “Not doing any of that.”

May 20 • Fireside News

April 2026

Open Fire World Championship at Memphis in May: Tickets, Teams, and What to Expect

Memphis in May is a lot closer than people think, and the biggest misconception is still the same: folks don’t realize they can come to the park and…

Apr 30 • Fireside News

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From Passion to Recognition: Dustin Martin's BBQ Journey

If you’re building in barbecue, what does success look like right now?

Apr 7 • Fireside News

Watching Rodney Scott Walk Through His Own History Changed the Story I Planned to Tell

History walked. History laughed. History remembered.

Apr 3 • Fireside News

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Atlanta Barbecue Politics: Respect, Reputation, and Who Built the Brisket Market

What does it look like to be new in a city and still show respect to the people who built the foundation?

Apr 2 • Fireside News

March 2026

What Makes a Legacy BBQ Festival: The 5-Year Rise of the Syndicate Smoke Down

"...the program has gifted $240,000 each year in the past, and this year they bumped to an astonishing $300,000."

Mar 31 • Fireside News

Barbecue Media, Gatekeeping, and the Stories We Keep Getting Wrong

Tyler said it first, loud and simple: “Fuck brisket.”

Mar 25 • Fireside News

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Health, Hustle, and Hospitality: What I Learned Talking with Meat Dave

health is not separate from the craft

Mar 23 • Fireside News

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BBQ Rebrands, Accolades, and Trust: Who Owns the Name When the Pit Crew Leaves?

...a good review can shift a business’s P&L six to seven figures.

Mar 13 • Fireside News

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February 2026

Meat Church Enters the Charcoal Chat + The Business Behind the Smoke

what’s the best food scene from a movie or TV show?

Feb 24 • Fireside News

The Real Cost of Barbecue in 2026: Brisket Prices, Business Survival, and Culture Shifts

Protect the craft, and respect the numbers.

Feb 18 • Fireside News

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