New Year 2016

by Chef Mick Brown

Happy New Year! Once again it is time to reflect with Appreciation and Gratitude for all of the great things that have happened for us in 2015. Despite efforts by some to ruin our spirit, people around the world are resilient. We know how to take the good with the bad and find ways to move on, and even thrive. Now is also a great opportunity to consider what you want to happen for you in this next year 2016. Motivational Experts and Life Coaches say that creating a list of Goals is like writing a direct Road Map to where you will go in the future. So- go grab a pen and paper (or open an electronic Notepad) and start listing your Goals for 2016 right now. Write down everything, spontaneously. You can always edit and refine the list at a later time. Feel free to go back and forth to your list while reading this column, if it inspires any ideas.

#ribroast #bbqrescues — A Gratuitous Food Pic? Maybe not. Where and How would you like to eat in 2016? Rib Roasts are a fine source of Protein, just add plenty of Veggies on the side. A big Thanks to Chef Eric for preparing this great Holiday Roast.

This method may sound really simple, but it really works. Want proof? Look back at what I wrote in the 2015 New Years column for my blog BBQ Catering Confidential. Through it reads like a “BBQ State of The Union Address”, I set forth the goals for reaching more people with the New School BBQ message that Grilling can be healthy and more delicious at the same time. During the year, I made my first appearance on the Food Network. Millions of people around the world got to see Judge Simon Majumdar berate me for using Grilled Broccolini to add a healthy spin to my Backyard BBQ Burger. He then went on to name me Winner for Grill Master Champion of Cutthroat Kitchen.

#ChefReggieSoutherland #ChefMickBrown #MickBrown #NextFoodNetworkStar — I have been a longtime fan of Silver Lake, CA. legend, Chef Reggie Southerland, ever since he appeared as a Finalist on Season 2 of Next Food Network Star. Finally got to meet him last year. We are looking forward to cooking together if we find the right event in 2016.

Another 2015 Goal was to introduce more Diabetic BBQ Recipes using my No Salt/Sugar Superfood spice blend HEROIC! (by California Gold BBQ Rubs). Though I’ve had less time this past year to tour stores and do demonstrations, the product has taken on a life of it’s own. Bloggers and Food Critics continue to spread the good word about it online. Positive consumer reviews have driven a steady increase in sales on Amazon.com, month after month. I barely keep up with shipping enough product to them. Hopefully the brand will find it’s way into the capable hands of an established Spice Manufacturer sometime soon (this year?). For me, it is important to keep the delicious, all-natural Seasoning alternative out there for Diabetics and those who choose to cook with less Salt and Sugar. Folks are now using HEROIC! Rub for BBQ, as well as a wide variety of other Home Recipes.

#BraziBites #CameronRocha #GlutenFreeFest2014 — Congratulations to Cameron (pictured) and Junea Rocha of BraziBites, my favorite Brazilian Cheese Bread. After many years of hard work, they secured a nice deal during their appearance on Shark Tank in 2015. (Photo taken when I met them at Gluten Free Expo in Pasadena, CA. in 2014).

Still in it’s infancy, the most exciting development last year was the new project BBQ RESCUES! Who would have thought a year ago that I would have a Youtube TV Channel, a Blog Talk Radio Show and Podcasts on iTunes? Talk about reaching more people…(!) With limited production time and resources, the project’s earlier efforts had experienced many technical challenges and issues. However, the public response has been great and we been able to share some of your Recipes on the show. So far the project has helped a Shreveport, Louisiana Chef win a trip to the James Beard Foundation in New York. Also a group of ordinary BBQ Enthusiasts received advice for putting together their first BBQ Boot Camp in Indiana. I will continue to encourage people to create better BBQ throughout 2016. I also hope to find sponsors of products (other than mine), that help make your cooking healthier and tastier than ever.

#chefmickbrown #mickbrown #neelysbbq #marshalltexas — During BBQ RESCUES! TV Youtube interview with owners Francine Neely Barton and Randy Corley at historic Neely’s BBQ Restaurant in Marshall, TX. (July. 2015)

Finally, I would like to Thank everyone for your support and encouragement throughout the past year. Though rarely updated, my original short story blog “The Adventures of Tastee BQ”, has suddenly started to attract thousands of monthly visitors from all over the world. Also, through catering with Tastee BQ Grilling Co., I have serviced everything from a company picnic in the park, to a 4th of July party at the former Beatles Mansion in Hollywood Hills. Another 2015 highlight was serving BBQ to the friends and volunteers who helped a young infant named Greyson in his battle with a rare medical condition called CCHS. It was also a pleasure talking BBQ and doing Grilling Lessons with people all over the country. I hope to travel much more in 2016.

#chefmickbrown #mickbrown #whatIwant2016 — What’s in Box #1 and Box #2? You decide. If you were to receive anything you want in 2016, what would it be?

Now it’s your turn. Have you already began your list of Goals for 2016? Know that you have this whole year to refine and add more Goals as you go along. Also, continue to focus on your Goals and the necessary follow-up actions will come more naturally. Some people call them “New Years Resolutions”. However, I prefer to simply call them “Goals”, because it feels informal and less pressured. You can even go a step farther and post your Goals on your own Blog, Facebook or by Tweeting #WhatIWant2016 on Twitter. I will be looking, so let me know if I can help with anything. Whether you need a new Recipe, hard-to-find product/recommendation, or help improving your BBQ Techniques. That is what BBQ RESCUES! is all about. So let’s all move forward and make 2016 our Best Year Ever! Until next time- Eat and Be Well.

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Chef Mick Brown is a Food Blogger/Purveyor based in Los Angeles, with over 30 years BBQ and Grilling experience. Aside from Catering, his passions are creating Easy Grilling Recipes and searching for the World’s Best Flavors. General Manager of Tastee BQ Grilling Co. and the new California Gold BBQ Rubs. He is also author of web serial blog “The Adventures of Tastee BQ.” He recently appeared on the Food Network for “Grill or Be Grilled” a special BBQ Edition of Cutthroat Kitchen where he won the Champion Title of Grill Master. Episode is available on iTunes. Email- Mick@BBQRESCUES.com

LINKS

Why You Should Be Writing Down Your Goals (Forbes Magazine)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ellevate/2014/04/08/why-you-should-be-writing-down-your-goals/

Happy, Healthy and Hearty BBQ in 2015 (BBQ Catering Confidential)

http://bbqcateringconfidential.com/2015/01/04/happy-healthy-and-hearty-bbq-in-2015/

Cutthroat Kitchen “Grill or Be Grilled”- Season 8, Episode 3 (on Amazon.com)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YMIR3E2?ref_=imdbref_tt_wbr_aiv&tag=imdbtag_tt_wbr_aiv-20

BraziBites website http://www.brazibites.com/

BBQ RESCUES! Episode 1- Blue (Chef Carol Manning to James Beard Foundation)

Youtube- https://youtu.be/RAgIMjUbGiE

Blog Talk Radio- http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bbqrescues/2015/08/04/bbq-rescues-with-chef-mick-brown-podcast-1-blue-southern-comfort-foods

BBQ RESCUES! 5 Tips for Starting Your Own BBQ Bootcamp