When I was ten years old my three brothers and I gathered around an open mesquite fire where our oldest brother (Tristan) was roasting a freshly killed rabbit. The place was the Rio Grande Valley in Texas and we were in our backyard. In a sense, we were blessed that we lived out in the country outside the city limits because we could make open fires to BBQ and what not. Our parents had bought an acre of land in the middle of nowhere. By that I mean that the property was surrounded by orchards and fields on two sides. Growing up been part of a big family (total of nine) was really a fun and exciting time.

Needless to say, with just salt and pepper as seasoning, that smoky roasted rabbit tasted like a piece of heaven. Those moments are my earliest recollections of a BBQ. Since then as a boy, I have barbecued baloney, wieners, and even cooked eggs on a cast iron pan over an open mesquite fire. Those were fun days and having Mom laugh at me was an enjoyable experience for me as well, she still laughs at those recollections when we talk about them.

Since then, I have barbecued in many different areas and climates. From the deserts of Arabia, the snowy mountains of Germany, to the beaches of South Padre Island by the Gulf of Mexico, and many different countries as well. I have been to nine different ones while in the service. I love to cook and mostly to BBQ and have picked recipes from all over the world and even created my own. After all, when you’re the Chef of the house or the cook of the house, you too can create your own food exactly how you like it and that is something definitely worth fighting for. The freedom to BARBECUE when you want to and how you want to; among many other things are what made our country a great place to live in.  “GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

Kings Reyes Chapa Jr.

Have your own story to share…be my guest, I would love to hear what your thoughts are on barbecue or about yourself.