Who is Master of 'Cue' Rashad Jones? Learn more about Ocala's barbecue genius

Staff report
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Food Network viewers know Rashad Jones as a big winner. Back in 2017, he and a team called Grill Dads won "Guy's Big Project." Fast forward to this past Monday, when Jones was crowned Master of 'Cue when he prevailed in Season 3 of the network's "BBQ Brawl" show.

Who is this barbecue genius? Who is the pit master behind Big Lee's – Serious About Barbecue? The Star-Banner has been writing about him for years. Here's a look at what we have learned.

Raised in Marion County, but born in New Jersey

Rashad Jones, 43, was born in Rahwayh, New Jersey, but has spent much of his life in Marion County. He graduated from Lake Weir High School in 1996.

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"As an adult, he also established Epic Youth Services, which incorporates motivational talks, a high school curriculum for disadvantaged youth and life-skills mentoring," the Star-Banner's Dave Schlenker reported in 2017.

"Rashad and Patrice (his wife) have been serving their slow-smoked brisket, ribs, sausage and side dishes from the food truck for three and a half years. In 2016, Big Lee's earned a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence," that 2017 story says.

Where does the Big Lee's name come from?

On his Facebook page, Jones provides some more background about how he got started in the barbecue business.

"My passion for smoking meats developed years ago when I first witnessed our uncle, Leon (aka 'Big Lee'), and his incredible skills on the smoker in the Mississippi Delta, Greenwood to be exact," Jones wrote.

Rashad Jones, owner of Big Lee's - Serious About Barbecue, shows off the Mexican beer he uses to make his borracho beans. That was one of the side dishes he served in his winning entry on the Food Network's "BBQ Brawl."
Rashad Jones, owner of Big Lee's - Serious About Barbecue, shows off the Mexican beer he uses to make his borracho beans. That was one of the side dishes he served in his winning entry on the Food Network's "BBQ Brawl."

"The quality of the food he made was unparalleled and I couldn't get it out of my mind. But beyond his sheer talent, Uncle Leon had such a joy for cooking and, moreover, for sharing his amazing food with others. We lost Uncle Leon in October of 2012, and his passing has made me more conscious of not only how well I cook, but also how many people I share this gift with.

"He was an amazing man and he still inspires us today," that part of the post concludes.

Jones' 2017 win on "Guy's Big Project" allowed Jones to start his own Food Network show, "Eat Sleep BBQ." With Monday's win, Jones will be free to start a show on Food Network Digital. Details are still to come.

"I love what I do. I have a responsibility to represent Ocala and the barbecue culture," Jones told Star-Banner correspondent Andy Fillmore earlier this year.

After Monday's win, Jones posted a message on Facebook. It said, in part: "Ocala, I hope I made y’all proud!"

How does Rashad Jones make such fabulous barbecue?

As Fillmore reported: "Jones' culinary forte is smoking meats like beef brisket for days on indirect offset wood smokers."

This photo from May shows Rashad Jones checking on a small brisket cooking on a smoker that he calls Biggie Smalls.
This photo from May shows Rashad Jones checking on a small brisket cooking on a smoker that he calls Biggie Smalls.

He continued: "Jones uses 'kiln-dried Central Florida oak wood,' which has a variety of aromas, including chocolate and vanilla scents. He also uses 'Sweet Lee's dry rub' flavoring. The cooking focus is 'low (temperature) and slow cooking,' or as Jones calls it, 'babysitting' the meat."

Jones' business, Big Lee's – Serious About Barbecue – has an operations center (and food sales) in midtown Ocala (343 NE First Ave.) The collection of smokers there prepare food for sale in food trucks at remote locations throughout Marion. For a full schedule, check Big Lee's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/mybigleesbbq)

On Wednesday, for example, Big Lee's trucks were scheduled to be in Belleview, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (5344 SE Abshier Blvd.) and 6895 SW State Road 200, next to Auto Tech, during the same hours.

Big Lee's also does catering and special events. For example, this coming Saturday is the first Saturday of the month, so admission to the Appleton Museum of Art is free. A Big Lee's truck will be parked outside 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A huge presence on social media

Big Lee's is popular on Facebook and other social media sites. It's also a place where his fans can sing his praises.

"I have an inexhaustible determination to continue pushing what we do with barbecue onward and upward to unimaginable places! Ocala is awesome and God is great! Too blessed to be stressed! I’m feeling super grateful right now!" Jones wrote after his big win on Monday.

"We love your BBQ and have watched your success for years now. We wish you and your family continued success," one fan wrote in response.

The Star-Banner wrote about Jones' big win and posted the story to Facebook. As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, the post had reached more than 83,000 people and been shared 1,000 times.

This story includes information from past Star-Banner stories by Dave Schlenker and Andy Fillmore.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Meet Rashad Jones, BBQ star in Ocala, Florida, and Food Network winner