About The Author

Welcome to Extraordinary BBQ!  My name is Kevin Haberberger and I’m going to provide you with the secrets and techniques you need to produce delicious, better than ordinary BBQ. I try to give enough detail for BBQ novices, including a BBQ Basics section, but still offer information that is useful for the backyard pitmasters.  For everyone in the middle – my goal is to take you to the next level – Extraordinary barbeque that will impress your toughest critics…yes, even your father-in-law.

The inspiration for the site has been building for years.  I still remember the first time my dad let me light the paper in the charcoal chimney for the first time.  I was thrilled to “help” him barbeque.  No matter what he was cooking, I just loved watching it all take shape.  I loved it enough to seek out as one of my first job,s the grill boy at Grant’s Farm.  I worked the blazing hot summers of St. Louis behind a gigantic stainless steel grill cooking hundreds of bratwurst, burgers, chicken and dogs….and loved every minute.

I’ve also always been an excellent student of other grillers.  I love watching and am never too shy to ask questions.  I watch what they do and how they do it – and if there’s something I don’t understand, I ask. I’ve learned a LOT this way.

After creating barbeque on my own for 15 years, there is very little I enjoy more than helping others increase their confidence at the grill, and produce a better final product.  I’ve dried out and burned hundreds of pounds of meat along the way (God bless my family for so often being my guinea pigs as I kept trying), but also learned valuable lessons and skills through experimentation that I want to share with you.

Along with a few of my family members, I am part of a competitive bbq team, SLABS a’ Smokin.   To learn more about how I got into competitive bbq, read on!  My most important team member, and partner in the creation of delicious food, is my wife Patti.  Her recipes and influences litter this site as well.  I’ve never met another person that knows flavors and what goes well with what, better than my wife. 

I’m a lucky guy.

 

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  2. Kevin
    I wanted to take a moment to say, Thank You ! I really enjoy your site. I have used your great rubs on chicken and pulled pork, and needless to say, HOMERUN !!! I am 2 years into the smoking game (from home) and love it. Look forward to trying your other great recipes.

    Thanks,
    Ernie

    Reply

  3. Hi Kevin, we were lucky enough to take your class on Tuesday at Dierbergs. It was inspiring and now I would like to get a smoker as well. All the recipes were “extraordinary”! Thanks for sharing your passion with us. BTW, I see your last name is Haberberger, are you related to Rose whom I knew at St. Gerard’s ?

    Pat Eckhard

    Reply

    • Hi Pat! This is Kevin’s sister, Karen, responding actually. Like he talked about last night, he is off to the World BBQ competition in Memphis today, so he won’t be able to respond to people until he returns most likely. Usually cell service is pretty spotty there. He will be very excited to read your comment because I know he had a blast last night. Please do contact him about a smoker. He is very knowledgeable about different kinds and can help you find the best “fit” for what you need. He has a lot of contacts, one being the ad you see on the left hand side about half way down…St. Louis BBQ Store. Ron, who owns the store, is about as nice as they come and can help you as well. If you tell him Kevin sent you his way he’ll be even nicer. ha! :-)

      As for Rose, yes, she is our aunt! Remember how he mentioned his cousin Tim that lives in Memphis who he started all this all with?? Rose is Tim’s mom! Small world!!

      So happy you attended the show. He can’t wait to do more! Like us on Facebook, sign up for our newsletter and tell your friends about the site! Thanks Pat!

      Reply

  4. Thanks Karen for your reply. I am going to start looking at smokers and trying some of Kevin’s recipes. Good luck in Memphis. Will watch on FB for updates. Look forward to taking another class also.

    Reply

  5. I followed your smoked pork chop recipe today, and it was delicious. I was using a Cabela’s smoker instead of my Weber.

    Thanks!
    Will

    Reply