You Don’t Know Everything: The Realest BBQ Tip You’ll Ever Get

Barbecue ain't just about sauce and smoke — it’s about listening.

One of the greatest lessons my father ever taught me, and one I’ve passed down to my son, is this: “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason.” That’s because in this game — and in life — the moment you think you know everything is the moment you stop learning.

Barbecue is legacy. It’s passed down from fathers to sons, from cousins to friends, from uncles to nieces and nephews. If you’re humble enough to listen, someone will always be willing to teach you.

That’s what makes a true pitmaster. Not just how well you cook — but how open you are to still being a student. I’m almost 51 years old, and I’m still learning. Some of my younger cousins have taught me things I never saw coming. And I’m grateful for that.

So here's the realest BBQ tip I can give you:
Stay teachable. Stay listening. That’s how legacy gets built.

Stay well. Stay blessed.
— Clarence C. Mitchell