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What is up my eaters! I am super glad to be back with you this week! Last week I missed you all tremendously. I had an emergency procedure that I had to take care of. I’m on the mend now and super excited to introduce you to local chef, pitmaster, and content creator Tina Cannon of Tina Cannon Cooks. Tina was born in Alabama, raised in Fayetteville, and currently resides in Coweta County. I first became aware of Tina several years ago. I watched her on the first season of Netflix’s Barbecue Showdown. I was so excited to see someone from our community representing on such a huge platform. She wasn’t just on the show. She dominated it and won. I became a fan.
Fast forward a couple years. My family and I were shopping at a local big – box store. I heard her undeniable voice before I saw her. I looked and Tina Cannon was standing in front of us doing a demonstration. We walked up and I introduced myself and my family. This is how I met Tina. Since then, Tina has become a friend and someone I respect tremendously. Not just for her knowledge and skill as a pitmaster but as an experienced culinary veteran. I feel fortunate that last year I was able to take her whole hog cooking class. For two days she taught us, a small group of men, the intricacies of what it takes to cook a pig on a cinderblock pit. Her knowledge and confidence around the fire were captivating. We cooked several other things that weekend. Homemade breakfast biscuits, fajitas, her famous party ribs, and literally the best brisket I’ve ever eaten. It was all phenomenal. When the pig was ready, it was phenomenal as well. Tina is the real deal.
This week I sat down with Tina for a conversation as she began preparing to leave town to represent Big Green Egg at Memphis in May, a globally recognized international festival and barbecue contest. We talked about her Fayette County upbringing, heritage as a chef and pitmaster, experience as a woman in a male dominated industry, and what she sees for herself in the future.
Here are some excerpts from our conversation.
The Eating Chambers:
When you think about Fayette County, tell me a little bit about what it was like growing up there versus what you see today?
Tina:
It was quaint. We had one blinking red light at the square. Where Twisted Taco is was a place called Travis Hardware. It was one of those hardware stores that you go in and hold something up and go. I need this screw or I need to fix it, and they would take you to it. There was a feed store on the square too and nothing else other than that. In high school McDonald’s came. That was a big deal.
The Eating Chambers:
Who were some of your early food influences?
Tina:
My grandfather for sure. He raised 5 children on his own. He cooked for all of them. They all learned to cook too. You know, country cooking, of course. He would let me be in the kitchen with him when he was making biscuits or whatever you know. My great aunt was an influence as well. All of them were great cooks; everything from scratch cooks.
The Eating Chambers:
I’m a man that comes from a lot of strong women. My wife is also a chef, and I know what she has been subjected to. Talk to me a little bit about doubling down on barbecue which has traditionally been even more male dominated and patriarchal?
Tina:
My parents never raised me like you’re a girl and you can’t do this, or you can’t do that. Neither did my grandfather. I didn’t think anything about it. In1981, when I went to Europe for culinary school, I never realized that it was something that I “shouldn’t” do. I was just looking for a career that I loved.
The Eating Chambers:
My last question, Tina, you have you have seen a lot. You’ve done a lot. You have literally conquered some of the biggest platforms that barbecue has to offer. You have rolled over all the stereotypes. Your trophy room looks like a barbecue history museum. What is next for Tina Cannon?
Tina:
I think I’m going to just continue teaching. I teach up at Big Green Egg headquarters. I got a class coming up May 31st that is for Big Green Egg beginners.
Eaters! As far as I’m concerned, Tina Cannon is not just a local treasure. She is a culinary treasure too. Our conversation was extremely enlightening, and her humility and candor were super appreciated. Be sure to support Tina and learn more about her and what she is doing through social media and her website. I also urge you to support local by purchasing some of her delicious seasoning blends. Her Smoked SPG is a game changer.
Also, remember that you can come see me or my team every weekend at the Peachtree City Farmer’s Market.
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