The BBQ Central Show

Episode 449Taking you back to 5/21/2019 - This week, I’m featuring a guest who holds a special place in my heart—so much so that I’ve nominated her for the BBQCS Great Hall of Fame (GHOF) for several years running, and I’ll be doing so again for the Class of 2026. Her name is Sara Lewis, and she shares a direct connection to our original Tennessee Embedded Correspondent, Steve Ray.Her name might not ring a bell, as her only appearance on the show was over seven years ago. However, there is a specific reason she deserves to be in the GHOF. At the time of our interview, she was working for Stanley—the company behind the viral mugs that have taken over the world in the last five years. We discussed her professional journey, how she landed at Stanley, and the products themselves. She was an incredibly engaging guest with great energy.Here is the "nugget" that makes her stand out: Unbeknownst to me, the evening we recorded the interview was her very last day at Stanley. She was already out the door and moving on to a new role. Think about that—if you had just finished your last day at a company, would you keep your commitment to sit down and do an interview about them? Most people wouldn't. This proves two things: first, Sara was raised right and honors her commitments to the very end; and second, it speaks to her high level of professionalism. On that merit alone, she deserves the GHOF nod far more than some folks I could mention (looking at you, Adam Perry Lang).Listen closely to that detail during the show this Friday. And yes—please note that the audio quality is from a different era of the show and is not up to our current standards. Please, no emails about the sound—I know!**Don’t forget to rate and review the show on your podcast app.**Want to hear more from this episode? Click the link below for the full show:Original Air Date: 5/21/2019Original Full Show Link: CLICK HERE

(September 1, 2026 - Hour Two)

Tonight on The BBQ Central Show, host Greg Rempe lines up a massive broadcast featuring barbecue royalty, grillography experts, YouTube culinary titans, and premium cigar industry leaders.

First, we welcome the legendary Malcom Reed from HowToBBQRight. We trace the massive success of his Killer Hogs BBQ product line, his signature recipes, and how his passion for sharing barbecue knowledge turned his YouTube channel into an absolute powerhouse for backyard grillers and seasoned pitmasters alike.  

Next, we sit down with Mike Lang, the mastermind behind Another Pint Please and the official "Grillographer" for Weber Grills. Mike dives into his career seamlessly pairing great craft beer with live-fire cooking, his book One-Beer Grilling, and his incredible knack for capturing the perfect barbecue shot behind the lens. 

 In our second hour, YouTube sensation Sam Zien—better known as Sam The Cooking Guy—joins the show. Sam breaks down his philosophy of creating food that’s "big in taste but small in effort," shares the secrets behind his wildly popular recipes, and gives us an update on his growing digital empire.

Closing out the show, we shift gears to the premium cigar world with Amanda Micallef, Vice President of Marketing for Micallef Cigars. Amanda talks about her journey into the cigar business, navigating a family enterprise, championing women in the industry, and the highly anticipated launch of the new Micallef Orange line.  

9:14pm - Segment 1: Malcom Reed – HowToBBQRight & The Killer Hogs Empire - Building a BBQ Powerhouse: Malcom details the evolution of HowToBBQRight from a simple 2007 website to a massive YouTube channel and instructional hub. The Killer Hogs Lineup: A look at the ongoing success and development of his signature rubs, sauces, and seasonings designed for unbeatable flavor. The Perfect Bite: Malcom shares his go-to recipes, from his all-time favorite "Malcom Style Ribs" to the intricacies of smoking meats to the perfect tenderness.  

9:35pm - Segment 2: Mike Lang – Another Pint Please & Weber's Grillographer Behind the Lens: Mike discusses his unique role as the "Grillographer" for Weber Grills, blending his 22-year career in law enforcement with his passion for food photography. One-Beer Grilling: Insights from his cookbook, where he perfects the art of creating awesome, smoke-infused meals in the time it takes to finish your first cold craft brew. Mastering the Elements: Stories from the trenches, including surviving a microburst while smoking turkeys on a photoshoot.  

10:14pm - Segment 3: Sam Zien – Sam The Cooking Guy & Big Flavor - The YouTube Grind: Sam discusses his mission to make the food life better for his nearly 4 million subscribers with his signature irreverence and highly engaging content. Accessible Culinary Greatness: Breaking down why everyday home cooks gravitate toward his massive flavor profiles that don't require all-day prep. Expanding the Empire: An update on his latest recipe drops, restaurant concepts, and what's next for his brand.

10:35pm - Segment 4: Amanda Micallef – Micallef Cigars & Industry Innovation - A Non-Traditional Path: Amanda shares her unique entry into the premium cigar world, transitioning from Hollywood production and digital marketing to the VP of Marketing for her family’s rapidly growing brand. The Micallef Orange Launch: Getting into the specifics of the latest addition to the Micallef Color Series and how it complements their highly regarded lines like Micallef Black. Women in Cigars: Highlighting the integral, generations-long role women have played in making and marketing premium cigars, and the strength of the Micallef community.

(September 1, 2026 - Hour One)

Tonight on The BBQ Central Show, host Greg Rempe lines up a massive broadcast featuring barbecue royalty, grillography experts, YouTube culinary titans, and premium cigar industry leaders.

First, we welcome the legendary Malcom Reed from HowToBBQRight. We trace the massive success of his Killer Hogs BBQ product line, his signature recipes, and how his passion for sharing barbecue knowledge turned his YouTube channel into an absolute powerhouse for backyard grillers and seasoned pitmasters alike.  

Next, we sit down with Mike Lang, the mastermind behind Another Pint Please and the official "Grillographer" for Weber Grills. Mike dives into his career seamlessly pairing great craft beer with live-fire cooking, his book One-Beer Grilling, and his incredible knack for capturing the perfect barbecue shot behind the lens. 

 In our second hour, YouTube sensation Sam Zien—better known as Sam The Cooking Guy—joins the show. Sam breaks down his philosophy of creating food that’s "big in taste but small in effort," shares the secrets behind his wildly popular recipes, and gives us an update on his growing digital empire.

Closing out the show, we shift gears to the premium cigar world with Amanda Micallef, Vice President of Marketing for Micallef Cigars. Amanda talks about her journey into the cigar business, navigating a family enterprise, championing women in the industry, and the highly anticipated launch of the new Micallef Orange line.  

9:14pm - Segment 1: Malcom Reed – HowToBBQRight & The Killer Hogs Empire - Building a BBQ Powerhouse: Malcom details the evolution of HowToBBQRight from a simple 2007 website to a massive YouTube channel and instructional hub. The Killer Hogs Lineup: A look at the ongoing success and development of his signature rubs, sauces, and seasonings designed for unbeatable flavor. The Perfect Bite: Malcom shares his go-to recipes, from his all-time favorite "Malcom Style Ribs" to the intricacies of smoking meats to the perfect tenderness.  

9:35pm - Segment 2: Mike Lang – Another Pint Please & Weber's Grillographer Behind the Lens: Mike discusses his unique role as the "Grillographer" for Weber Grills, blending his 22-year career in law enforcement with his passion for food photography. One-Beer Grilling: Insights from his cookbook, where he perfects the art of creating awesome, smoke-infused meals in the time it takes to finish your first cold craft brew. Mastering the Elements: Stories from the trenches, including surviving a microburst while smoking turkeys on a photoshoot.  

10:14pm - Segment 3: Sam Zien – Sam The Cooking Guy & Big Flavor - The YouTube Grind: Sam discusses his mission to make the food life better for his nearly 4 million subscribers with his signature irreverence and highly engaging content. Accessible Culinary Greatness: Breaking down why everyday home cooks gravitate toward his massive flavor profiles that don't require all-day prep. Expanding the Empire: An update on his latest recipe drops, restaurant concepts, and what's next for his brand.

10:35pm - Segment 4: Amanda Micallef – Micallef Cigars & Industry Innovation - A Non-Traditional Path: Amanda shares her unique entry into the premium cigar world, transitioning from Hollywood production and digital marketing to the VP of Marketing for her family’s rapidly growing brand. The Micallef Orange Launch: Getting into the specifics of the latest addition to the Micallef Color Series and how it complements their highly regarded lines like Micallef Black. Women in Cigars: Highlighting the integral, generations-long role women have played in making and marketing premium cigars, and the strength of the Micallef community.

Episode 448 - Taking you back to 8/18/2015 - This week featuring quarterly guest and BBQ icon Steven Raichlen. In this segment we talked about various Labor Day cooking scenarios and where he finds inspiration as he travels the country and the world checking out eateries, grocery stores and everywhere else food is to be purchased and or had.Also, this is a time when I was still using a phone line…I listen to those days and I still think it would be fun to bring a “hotline” back into the show…but not for guests…just for callers to ask questions. Maybe that’s something that happens in 2027.*Don’t forget to RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW ON YOU PODCAST APP*Want to hear more from this episode...Click the link below to hear the full show:Original Air Date: 8/18/2015Original Full Show Link: CLICK HERE

(August 25, 2026 - Hour Two)

9:14pm - Segment 1: Bob Trudnak – BBQ Brawl Champion & International Live-Fire
Winning the Brawl: Bob shares his experience competing on and winning Food Network’s hit series BBQ Brawl.
From Ohio to Japan: Exploring the culture, flavors, and insights gained during Bob's recent trip to Japan.
Bobby T’s Product Roadmap: What’s next for the flavor profile lineup and retail distribution as 2026 winds down.

9:35pm - Segment 2: Darren Warth – The Winningest Team in History & Restaurant Economics
The Competitive Standard: Inside the legendary run of Iowa's Smokey D's BBQ and their continued presence on the elite competition trail.
Behind the Mic: Darren discusses his entry into the podcast space and sharing his decades of pitmaster knowledge.
Managing the Menu: Real talk on restaurant logistics, supply chain shifts, and keeping food costs profitable without sacrificing quality.

10-14pm & 10:35pm - Segment 3 & 4: The Embedded Correspondents – 100% Assurity Roundtable
The Monthly Panel: Doug, Jon, Rusty, and Matt take over the second hour.
Assurity Statements: The guys break down the newest list of definitive industry statements.
Hot Topics: Rapid-fire debate on the latest breaking news and controversies across the barbecue landscape.

Key Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Explore Bob's Award-Winning Flavors: Bobby T's Products & BBQ
Visit the Competition Champion: Smokey D's BBQ Website
Subscribe to The BBQ Central Show: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms

Episode Description:
Tonight on The BBQ Central Show, host Greg Rempe lines up a massive broadcast featuring Food Network champions, competitive barbecue royalty, and the monthly return of the roundtable crew.

First, we welcome Bob Trudnak from Bob Trudnak's BBQ and Bobby T's products. Fresh off his incredible run on the Food Network, Bob takes us behind the scenes of winning BBQ Brawl Season 7. We also dive into his recent live-fire culinary journey to Japan and get an exclusive look at the growth strategy for Bobby T's sauces, rubs, and products as we head into the final months of 2026.

Next, we sit down with a true icon of the sport, Darren Warth of Iowa's legendary Smokey D's BBQ. Widely recognized as leading the most successful competition barbecue team in history, Darren gives us an update on his time on the current BBQ circuit, the launch of his own podcast, and how he is navigating rising food costs and restaurant management in today's economy.

In our second hour, the Embedded Correspondents return for their monthly segment. Doug, Jon, Rusty, and Matt step up to the mic to weigh in on a brand-new list of 100% Assurity Statements, debate the hottest trending topics in the grilling community, and bring their usual unfiltered insights to the table.