Deep South Dining | Veteran's Day with Christopher Prieto

·50 min·5 clips

A pitmaster who never shot a gun explains how barbecue became a powerful tool for healing wounded veterans.

["The episode begins with hosts Malcolm White and Carol Palmer reflecting on the National Folk Festival in Jackson, Mississippi, praising its music and food vendors.", "They transition to discussing the Michelin Guide's first edition for the American South, covering six states including Mississippi.", "Two Jackson restaurants, LV's of Jackson and Sacred Ground Barbecue, received the Bib Gourmand distinction for value and quality.", "Polito in Belhaven was named in the Michelin recommended category, with hosts explaining the guide's history from tire promotion to food ratings.", "The interview with Christopher Prieto starts, introducing him as a champion pitmaster, cookbook author, and TV personality from Prime Barbecue in Nightdale, North Carolina.", "Prieto recounts his background: born in Texas to Puerto Rican parents, moving to North Carolina via Florida due to his father's chemistry career.", "He describes falling in love with barbecue through his father and blending Texas, competition, and North Carolina styles with Puerto Rican influences like lechon.", "Prieto discusses opening Prime Barbecue in May 2020 during the pandemic, which forced a focus on takeout and resilience.", "He mentions his James Beard semi-finalist nomination for Best Chef Southeast, received unexpectedly while preparing the restaurant after a snowfall.", "Prieto's cookbook, 'Southern Living Ultimate Book of Barbecue,' includes competition secrets and accessible recipes like crockpot pork butt.", "The conversation shifts to his work with veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project, starting with a coordinator's request to teach barbecue classes.", "Prieto explains how barbecue became a therapeutic tool, helping veterans combat isolation and build community through cooking.", "He details initiatives at his restaurant, such as a veteran chef's table, free meals on Veterans Day, and hiring wounded veterans like general manager Justin Raup.", "Prieto describes teaching classes tailored to veterans, including amputees, with low-stress environments and simple dishes like bacon-wrapped jalapenos.", "He contrasts his approach with chains like Mission Barbecue, emphasizing personalized support and community titling for veterans.", "Prieto analyzes regional barbecue styles, noting that true differences lie in cooking processes, not sauces, citing examples from Texas, Kansas City, and North Carolina.", "He discusses the resurgence of whole hog barbecue, mentioning restaurants like Truth Barbecue and Rodney Scott's, though profitability challenges remain.", "Prieto concludes by sharing his social media handles and upcoming projects, including new rubs and sauces blending Puerto Rican flavors.", "The episode wraps with credits to producer Marissa Vaughn and support from Mississippi Public Broadcasting listeners.", "Throughout, the hosts interject with local updates, such as pesto gifts and apple galettes, maintaining a conversational, food-focused tone."]

As heard by us

A warm barbecue interview about veterans, community, and what a shared meal can make possible.

Deep South Dining's veteran-focused episode centers on Christopher Prieto and the moment a Wounded Warrior Project coordinator's invitation changed how he understood barbecue's role in a community.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want to hear how a barbecue class became a way to bring soldiers together.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Deep South Dining