Rashad Jones is the host of the Food Network show, “Eat, Sleep, BBQ,” and is the winner of the Guy Fieri competition, “Guy’s Big Project.” He’s the owner of Big Lee’s, a Texas-style barbecue empire in Ocala, FL.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that Rashad makes the best barbecue outside of Texas I’ve ever had, and his is a damn sight better than a lot of the barbecue I’ve had in Texas. You’ll hear for yourself, but that distinction didn’t come easily to him. Just like everything else in his life, he had to work for it, tirelessly, well past the point when most everyone else would’ve given up. He's the father of four, the lucky husband to Dr. Patrice Dion Jones, and a helluva nice guy. I hope you enjoy our conversation.