🔥 Welcome to The Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast – where barbecue is more than food, it’s culture, creativity, and community. 🔥

In this episode, hosts Brandon, Tee and Alton sits down with Bridgie Zapata, a rising voice in the barbecue world known for blending Tex-Mex creativity with traditional BBQ techniques. From fire management to family balance, Bridgie shares the lessons, struggles, and triumphs that shape her journey as a pitmaster and content creator.

🍖 Inside This Episode:

• Why barbecue is culture—a way of life, not just cooking

• How personal growth and change influence cooking styles

• Bridgie’s unique approach: Tex-Mex meets barbecue tradition

• The importance of quality ingredients in making unforgettable food

• How social media can build a platform but also bring challenges

• Mastering fire management and the art of balancing flavors

• The role of patience, practice, and persistence in BBQ success

• The unique challenges women face in barbecue—and the strides being made

• Flavor secrets: cherry wood for pork & peach bourbon injections for tenderness

• The balance between family life and content creation

• Lessons from brand collaborations and content creation hurdles

• Why experimentation, resting meat, and listening to the cook matter most

🔥 This episode is packed with flavor, culture, and inspiration—showing that the road to great barbecue is paved with passion, persistence, and plenty of trial and error.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories from the smoke.

#BlackSmokeBBQ #BridgieZapata #TexMexBBQ #WomenInBBQ #BBQPodcast #BarbecueCulture #CherryWoodPork #PeachBourbonPork #BBQContentCreators #PitmasterJourney #FireManagement #GrillAndGrow

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast

02:58 Navigating Personal Life and Barbecue Culture

06:03 Introducing Bridgie Zapata: A New Voice in Barbecue

11:49 Bridgie's Unique Approach to Barbecue and Content Creation

17:48 The Bougie Identity: Elevating Barbecue

22:31 Bridgie's Culinary Journey and Family Influence

22:46 The Clickbait Effect in BBQ Shopping

25:20 Challenges of Being a Female Pitmaster

29:58 The Influence of Tex-Mex on BBQ

35:36 Signature BBQ Techniques and Flavor Profiles

40:22 Balancing Family Life and Content Creation

46:25 Behind the Scenes of BBQ Content Creation

47:09 Navigating the Heat of BBQ Cooking

48:33 Building a Relationship with Oklahoma Joe's

51:30 Mastering BBQ Techniques and Methods

53:57 The Importance of Listening to Your Meat

01:00:06 Overcoming Challenges in BBQ as a Woman

01:02:10 Future Aspirations in BBQ and Beyond