James "Big Jim" Thompson

25 years on the BBQ circuit taught me one thing: low and slow wins the race. From backyard cookouts to championship pits, I'll show you how to master fire and smoke to create unforgettable outdoor feasts.

I got my start in competitive BBQ back in the late '90s when a buddy dared me to enter a local competition. That first event hooked me for life. Since then, I've competed in over 200 BBQ competitions across the Southeast, earning numerous Grand Champion titles and perfecting my craft.

My specialty is outdoor cooking in all its forms—from traditional BBQ smoking to high-heat grilling, from Dutch oven cooking to whole hog roasts. I've learned that great outdoor cooking is about understanding your heat source, whether it's charcoal, wood, or gas, and knowing how to control it for the perfect result.

Through my recipes and tutorials, I want to help home cooks break into the world of serious outdoor cooking. I'll teach you how to build the perfect charcoal snake, maintain steady temperatures for hours, create bark that'll make your friends jealous, and most importantly, how to cook with confidence over live fire. Whether it's a weeknight chicken dinner or a weekend brisket smoke, I've got you covered.