Meet Rochester Brown Jr | BBQ Enthusiast – Actor – Musician – Renaissance Man

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rochester Brown Jr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rochester, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am originally from Michigan a small Midwest town called Three Rivers. I was born in Kalamazoo. I am one of 7 kids that was born into a 2 parent home. My father was an engineer and and was executive for General Motors. My mother was a working mom that for the majority of my later childhood was a stay at home mother. My mother’s influence on various dishes and the southern flavors resonated with me at a young age. My grandmother was a chef so cooking has always been a part of my heritage. Food was always an important part of everything we did from family gatherings to holidays to community functions. As a matter of fact because I had so many siblings my parents did not want to buy individual gifts for birthdays so my dad came up with a brilliant solution. Instead of buying gifts my father would have one big party in the summer and this party was for all the kids birthdays. The cool thing about it was with me being from a small town anybody who wanted to attend the party was welcome to do so. Food and drink was complimentary and my dad was always adamant that everyone had enough to eat and drink. He always made an over abundance of food for every occasion and I too am guilty of that as well. My father was somewhat of a community leader and did what he could to bridge the divide among others that lived in our town. He is the reason why I enjoy cooking today. He is the reason why I continue to share my food with others and provide quality products for everyone to enjoy. He taught me about the art of barbecuing and was instrumental in my ability to cook at a high level. Because I was around food so much and I saw the power of food and how it made others feel it was inevitable that I would transition into the world of food and culinary entertainment. I did not coin the term culinary entertainment but I know that food and the people that prepare it are special. You here the phrase “My compliments to the chef”. Most restaurants you never get to see the chef or meet the chef. You just get great food and you leave. But in the barbecue world I get to meet the customers that I serve and I am up front and center cooking, conversing and fellowshipping with good people. I enjoy seeing people happy when they get that first taste of WIZ BBQ. I try to be somewhat of a sponge so everything that I have endured and went through throughout my lifetime has molded and shaped me into who I am. I am a firm believer that people do not become who they are or become successful by accident. The solid foundation is an important part of the journey and keeps an individual grounded when the road gets rough. This is what I reflect upon when the road gets difficult for me I sit and reflect upon my upbringing and the little things that were taught to me when no one else was listening. This is who I am Rochester Brown Jr, son of Rochester Brown Sr and Mae Ruth Brown.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I often sit and and think about the journey that I have traveled and sometimes I can not believe it myself. I have lived a life that has had many layers. I have been working in the field of human services for over 25 years. I have always had a full time job as I needed that safety net and security blanket just in case the entertainment industry decided to chew me up and spit me out. That is the tough decision that one has to make do you step out on faith and go all in or do you continue to work knowing that you will have a guaranteed paycheck. I currently work in healthcare and have been navigating the challenges of a pandemic in the work place with real life obstacles. I am married with a daughter in her final year of Physical Therapy school at Emory University here in Atlanta. Out of all the accolades and things that I achieved the one one thing that I am most proud of is the success that our daughter has achieved. She is my greatest accomplishment. My wife has been so supportive with all of my endeavors and I love and appreciate her for being so understanding. Fatherhood has taught me more about life than any job, book or situation could teach me. When you have children you are no longer living just for you so many of the decision that you make are for the betterment of the family. I started out in the entertainment business doing hip-hop years ago with a good friend of mine who is currently a well known photographer and artist in Atlanta. I was working at a residential facility in Atlanta for kids and one of the therapists happened to be into music as well. One day during a conversation we discovered that we had the same birthdays and he jokingly suggested that we start a rock band named after our birthdays. Little did I realize at that time the wheels had been put in motion on a musical career that would take me on a heck of a ride. Fast forward some months later I was invited to my coworkers home to listen to some music and to record some vocals. I did not know it at the time but I was being auditioned without my knowledge. More time passes and eventually he calls me and reminds me about the music that had recorded because I did not recall. He then asked if I was interested in joining a rock band. I barely even listened to his offer because I had intentions on doing rock. I was a solo rapper doing hip-hop in Atlanta. Eventually I warmed up to the idea and we started to develop song concepts around material that they had already been working on but just adding me in the song somewhere. When it came time to name the band we went back to that office conversation so long ago and decided to name the band sev’n 9 for both our birthday date of July 9. It was unique, catchy and it stuck. The band lasted for over three years and we had a great run. We released one studio cd and toured much of the Southwest for the better part of those three years. We were nearly signed by an unnamed label but ultimately were not and shortly after the band became defunct. In hindsight I would have had the band actually sit down and talk out the differences rather than letting them fester. We had everything you need to make it in the music industry, the look, the moxie and the right musical style I personally however continued to dabble in music and worked on several solo projects releasing the most recent titled INFECTED CURE in December of 2020, under my stage name C-WIZ. Over the years I had worked on several big budget films here in Atlanta as an extra, feature and principal actor in music videos I was always heavily into cooking so when my friend came to me with and opportunity to take part in a cooking competition for a major network I jumped at the chance. Through my experience with the show and the realization that I actually belong in the room or better yet on the same stage as these cooking heavyweights. I decided to throw my hat in the ring and go all in with this barbecue business. I primarily have been doing mostly festivals and catering thus far. As a company we are expanding with a seasoning line as well as WIZ BBQ clothing. It is barbecue movement that I envision growing into bigger and better things in the future with a food truck and eventually a brick and mortar WIZ BBQ sports bar. I appreciate my successes in every aspect of my career. I recognize that without the support of my customers and people that work with me and for me I am nothing. I give a big thank you to everyone along the way that have supported me in any way shape or form. I appreciate Shoutout Atlanta for the platform and for shining a light on small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. When you think of WIZ BBQ I want people to know that I do this for the love of the food. I do this for the love of others and for the joy I get when people taste my unique and savory Cajun recipes. This is a family owned business that was built on a solid foundation of family and togetherness. I try to incorporate the recipes passed down that I learned from my father in everything that I do but with a modern twist of my own. WIZ BBQ It might not be the best you ever had. But it is the best you will ever taste.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many cool places to see and visit in Atlanta. Some of the places to visit depends on if they were looking to do tourist activities or if they were down to see some of the hole in the wall places. I would definitely recommend the CNN center, Stone Mountain, Atlantic Station, Centennial Park as a tourist. If they really wanted to see the city I would take them to Nuevo Laredo Cantina for Mexican food. I would take them to either Blind Willies or Northside Tavern for some live blues. We would definitely check out an Atlanta Braves game and hit The Battery for a beverage before ending the night at the yard.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I think about the journey that I have had through this thing called life. There are so many areas to navigate from decisions about my education, to music, to cooking, but through it all one thing remains constant. My mother. My mother is the rock that has helped me time and time again. Whatever I needed whether it was financially or spiritually she has always been right there. I was somewhat of a “mama’s boy”, as they say. I was fortunate enough to be home with my mother for the majority of my childhood and spent countless hours with her. Most of the time she said I talked too much so she knew I would end up in some career that allowed me to express myself verbally. My mother taught me values, self worth and instilled in me a sense of confidence that is still with me to this day. When I doubted myself my mother was always the one to say “You can do it son”. I saw how my mother never give up on her education and her personal growth, so in turn it motivated me to do the same. She had and has a genuine love for me as a mother loves a child but in later years as a friend and confidant. She was my protector so now I have become her protector. I look back on all the obstacles that I have faced in my life. My father was there and he was an ear for me but my mother was the one that I needed the most. I remember on numerous occasions when I was afraid to go on stage to perform. My mother came backstage and motivated me with pep talks that gave me the confidence to do it. In the world of food and competition my mother has been a driving force in her encouragement for me to reach for the stars. Now with my most adventurous endeavor thus far starting an actual barbecue business once again my mother is my number one supporter. Her advice to me is impeccable as it reassures me that I am making the right choices and making the right life and business decisions. In closing at the end the day there is nothing like the nurturing love and support of a mother.

Website: wizbbq.com

Instagram: @wizbbq

Facebook: @wizbbq

Image Credits
Anderson Smith – photo credit professional shots photo shoot Rochester Brown Jr – photo credit