Trailblazing on the Grill
Linda Williford
Summertime is the time to fire up the grill and start cooking some flavorful, tender, juicy meats. To master this process, there is a learning curve. Philip Wilson is one of the assistant managers responsible for sales in the grilling and outdoor living area at the Paris Ace Hardware store in Foley. He shares some of his tips for grilling. He helps customers with information on the most popular grills/smokers and gives them the ins and outs of the various models. Wilson says that you should learn your grill/smoker. “They are like any other tool, each having its own peculiarities.” He says, “Don’t be afraid to try new things.”
Wilson says, “You need to experiment with different spices, marinades, and cooking methods. Wilson likes to use a smoker. He says, “Learn how to cook by using indirect heat, as this can keep meat very tender.” At his home, Wilson is considered the “outdoor cook.” He uses a “smoker” from Orion. Also, he says to experiment with wood chips, spices, marinades, or brines, which can drastically change the flavor of your meats.
According to Wilson, an important part of grilling or smoking is food preparation. "My wife and I can spend up to two days preparing the meat before we cook it." He shared, "We smoke everything from wild game meat to fish. Even my blackened fish is a form of grilling as I do it over an open flame.” Wilson said that grilling in the South is a social event, so don't be afraid to “test” recipes with your guests.” He loves to get feedback from family and friends. “If I get it wrong, I want to know, and if I get it right, well, I want to know that too!” Wilson does not compete because he said, “It turns something I love into a job.”
Hunt Blackledge is a member of the Smokey Bee's BBQ team. He and his wife started doing BBQ competitions in 2020. So far this year, Blackledge has won the Reserve Grand Champion at the BBQ and Blues Festival in Foley, the Grand Championships at Singer River Smoke-O-Rama in Athens, AL, Smoke on the Falls in Gadsen, AL, and High on the Hog Festival in Winchester, TN.
Blackledge says, “Have fun and play around with new recipes.” He suggests that people use social media and YouTube to improve their skills. “Consider any failures as only just learning opportunities," Blackledge says that cooking at home, he often makes his own rubs. But on the competition trail, he uses blends of commercially available rubs and sauces. He says, “The recipes are very much secondary to the actual cooking process. Nailing down the texture and tenderness of a protein is the most important.”
Competition is a hobby for Blackledge, an anesthesiologist by profession. He says, "It is my escape from real life." It gives Blackledge a chance to have a good time with his friends and takes his mind off the hospital.
Brian Johnson won his first competition in 2004 in Dickson County for the Hwy Patrol Department. He was out of competition for a short while but got back in the game in 2023. He and his team from the Paris Ace Hardware won this year’s People’s Choice award in the Foley BBQ and Blues Competition. They beat 35 teams of chefs and professionals. Johnson says, “I have a dual role. I am the Master Griller at Ace Hardware and do grilling demos for the store. But I am also with a team called the Grill Sergeants from Orange Beach, who represent the police department of Orange Beach.”
Johnson comes from a background of family competition grillers. At age 17, Johnson said that he learned how to grill a whole hog. He was told if he could grill a whole pig, the parts of the pig would be easy. Johnson said, “The secret to grilling is to cook “low and slow” and remember “time is your friend.”
There are many options of foods to grill, such as fruit, vegetables, breads, and even desserts. The grill can be just as versatile as the oven. Exposing foods to flames produces a nice char and elevates the flavor.
Grilling and smoking can be done any time of the year. Enjoy all year round. Anyone can master the technique and skills. So go ahead and fire up the grill, experiment, and have fun.
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