Ed And Ryan Mitchell's Barbecue Mission

About Ed and Ryan Mitchell

Ed and Ryan Mitchell come from a very large family in Wilson, North Carolina, as well as a deep tradition of cooking whole hogs over wood-fired pits. Ed deserves credit for fueling a national obsession with barbecue in the early 2000s, and now he and his son are on a mission to cement the legacy of their town, their community, and their family. In addition to a new BBQ joint set to open in 2024, the duo have a new book out called Ed Mitchell’s Barbecue that delves into the deep history and traditions behind a North Carolina art form.

What Ed and Ryan Mitchell Talk About In This Episode

• Their latest cookbook, Ed Mitchell’s Barbecue
• The importance of family and barbecue tradition
• North Carolina barbecue
• The art of cooking whole hog barbecue
• Growing up in Wilson, North Carolina
• The craft and hard work of the barbecue business
• Big celebrations around Christmas holiday
• Ed learning to cook from his mom
• Cooking in New York City
• New BBQ joint opening in 2024
• Ryan's memories of his grandmother's cooking and her famous Oddball Carrot Cake
• Ed wearing bib overalls, a tribute to his grandfather

Quotes From Ed and Ryan Mitchell

"The smokehouse was not a fun place for me as a kid. I did it because I had to. That's how my dad made me earn my little sneaker money for my Jordans, and my shoes, and clothes, and dates, and stuff. I got baptized in the smoke very early and it took me awhile to develop a love for it. But it was a chore growing up as a kid. So, I had to figure out how long and what I wanted to do with it." - Ryan Mitchell

"Cooking barbecue and playing good music is just a good harmony. It's a good feeling." - Ed Mitchell

"The fact of the matter is that a true pitmaster was my mother. I mean, she was the cook. She could do it all, so I've learned a great deal from her....I didn't realize that I was fortunate enough that I learned all the techniques of cooking, these things that were needed for the barbecue, like the collard greens, the potatoes, and the yams, and coleslaw and mac and cheese, and I learned all that stuff, but I got that from my mom." - Ed Mitchell

About Biscuits & Jam

In the South, talking about food is personal. It's a way of sharing your history, your family, your culture, and yourself. Each week Sid Evans, editor in chief of Southern Living, sits down with celebrity musicians to hear stories of how they grew up, what inspired them, and how they've been shaped by Southern culture. Sid takes us back to some of their most cherished memories and traditions, the family meals they still think about, and their favorite places to eat on the road. Download and listen to this episode of Biscuits & Jam with Ed and Ryan Mitchell on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or everywhere podcasts are available.

Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors