Ocala BBQ king Rashad Jones of Big Lee's wins Food Network contest, becomes 'Master of 'Cue'

Ocala's Rashad Jones – the man behind Big Lee's – Serious About Barbecue – has prevailed in Season 3 of the Food Network's "BBQ Brawl" show and earned the title "Master of 'Cue."

The season's final episode aired Monday night, with Jones and two competitors preparing a whole hog feast.

On Tuesday, when asked how it felt to win, Jones told the Star-Banner it was "overwhelming."

The show: Ocala's Rashad Jones, the BBQ master at Big Lee's, is back on the Food Network

Photo gallery: Big Lee's Barbecue

The first win: Rashad Jones prevails

Jones said he is gratified to represent Ocala, the surrounding community and his family. He said the experience was "very emotional" and he "cried tears of joy."

There's so much "raw emotion, love and hard work" that goes into making barbecue, Jones said. He considers this "a win for Ocala."

In 2017, Jones was part of a team that won "Guy's Big Project" on the Food Network.

Going whole hog

In the final competition, Jones and two fellow competitors had six hours to prepare a whole hog feast. They had to use an "old-school" cinderblock pit with hot coals that had to be shoveled in, and no temperature gauge.

Jones said he used "every instinct" to prepare the feast.

He competed against Winnie Yee-Lakhani, from Team Jet; and Don Nguyen who, like Jones, was on Team Anne for the season.

As the six-hour feast preparation went on, there also were two side competitions, both of which Jones won. They were for breakfast sandwich (his winning combo included sausage, egg and cheese) and chicken wings (Jones prepared his with a blood orange-and-brown sugar glaze.)

As for the feast itself: Jones prepared his hog South Carolina style. For sides, he cooked up borracho beans, bacon-topped mac and cheese, charred wedge cabbage, smoked pork tenderloin salad and chocolate chip banana cream pudding.

The next step

In a Facebook post, Jones was effusive with praise and thanks

He thanked his team captain, Anne Burrell, and praised his teammates and competitors.

"This journey was amazing but it wasn’t easy!" he wrote, adding: "I am super proud to join the ranks of BBQ Hall of Famer @leeannwhippen from BBQ Brawl Season 1 and @bluesmokeblaire from BBQ Brawl Season 2 as this season’s Master of ‘Cue!' "

Jones finished the post by saying: "Ocala, I hope I made y’all proud!"

As the winner, Jones gets a show on Food Network Digital. More details still to come.

The customers were loving it

On Tuesday, the morning after Jones' big win, the Big Lee's station in midtown Ocala, on North Magnolia Avenue north of Silver Springs Boulevard, was hopping.

Kim Talley, who works downtown, said the victory was "great for Ocala." She picked up six meals to take back to her office colleagues.

Also in line were Anne Jones and son Liam, 12. Liam said he was hollering at the TV Monday night, celebrating Jones' victory. His mom likes the burnt ends, and he likes the tacos.

Liam said it's great to have a barbecue master in Ocala.

Star-Banner photographer Doug Engle contributed to this report

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Big Lee's BBQ's Ocala, Florida master wins Food Network contest