We had the good fortune of connecting with Chef John Heard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chef John, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve alway had a passion for cooking and smoking meats. In my early twenties I had a dream of one day opening my own BBQ & soul food restaurant. It wasn’t until I moved to Georgia and found that my love for barbecue was truly realized. After attending Culinary Arts School at Le Cordon Bleu, I knew exactly what I wanted our of life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I had a dream 22 years ago of opening my own restaurant. It never ceases to amaze me as my story unfolded and blossomed into this amazing tale of a little boy that loved food, and created a world that he lives and breathes what he loves doing for a living; smoking meats. The Just BBQ Company serves up authentic Memphis ,Tn. dry rub style barbecue smoked low and slow in our custom built Smoker – Predaking. Through perseverance, hard work, keeping God first, and maintain a positive mind, the challenges that we faced could not prevent me from acquiring my dream In this journey.

The Just BBQ Company is more that just barbecue. We embody what great food, people and service are at its core; the foundation for not only an amazing experience, but also an unforgeable one. When someone dines with us, we want our barbecue to be the absolute best that you have ever eaten in you entire life. It’s a high mark to strive for, but one bite of ribs and your will understand why we consider ourself “the Best. Period.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came in town for a week, One of the first restaurants we would visit be Surins of Thailand. This is one of my wife’s favorite restaurants to dine, and the first time to took me, I was hooked. The second place we would visit is Nouveau Bar & Grill for Drinks, and food. We’d Probably hang out at Top Golf, and grab dinner at Poor Calvin’s one night. Two Urban Licks is another favorite that I would take my friends too. Before they would leave we’d have to go to Sotto Sotto for some of the best risotto in the metro Atlanta area!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to Shoutout my family – My Wife Gena, and my kids: Lenox, Ethan, and Savannah Rose, thank you for standing my be on this crazy journey. I’d like to shout out Sean Okeefe @ Pontoon Brewing The Lodge for inviting me into their establishment, and providing The Just BBQ Company an opportunity to bring our flair of Memphis BBQ to Tucker, Ga, with plans to expand to their Sandy Spring location before 2024. I would like to also shout Tony Davis at DMAG accounting and Bookkeeping!.

Website: www.justbbqcompanyllc.com

Instagram: @THEJUSTBBQCOMPANY

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjohnheard/

Facebook: The Just BBQ Company

Yelp: the just bbq company

Other: TikTok @justbbqcompany

Image Credits
John Heard

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