Tell us about yourself, and why you started stayrootedbbq?
My name is Rob creator of stayrootedbbq. I have always had a passion for cooking and bringing together unique flavours to make a dish for everyone to enjoy.
My real close friend Tone aka TFTIBBQ was a huge influence to begin recording and share with everyone my cooking on this media journey!
Where did your love of food and BBQing come from?
At a young age I remember when I was young sitting on the counter next to my mother while she was cooking. There was a spice rack next to me, so I decided to try all the spices. From that point on I just remembered all the flavour profiles and how my mother would use them. Then using those same spices my father would cook different dishes on a wok and the bbq grill.
What made StayRootedBBQ choose a Stalwart Crafts Apron?
When I first met Mel aka Darkside of the Grill he was wearing a stalwart crafts apron. He educated me on the quality, comfort and durability that the apron offers when BBQing, especially open fire cooking. What I love about my apron is how comfortable it is to wear at all times no matter how hot or cold it is outside. If I could, I would wear my apron 24/7!
You’re a digital creator as well, how did that begin?
The biggest influence for becoming a digital creator was the push from my great friend Tone aka TFTIBBQ. We always shared the same passion from posting our cars on social media and cooking at any time possible, until covid hit. That is when the social media content creator with cooking began.
What is your favourite food to cook? Do you have any special ingredients you can’t go without?
I would say Chicken Adobo (Filipino style) would be my all time favourite because this was the first recipe my father taught me and always been my comfort food. I would say for my special ingredient I can’t go without it would be fish sauce. Just love the flavor profile and how well it will pair up with any protein. Don’t knock it until you try it.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Whatever you do, do not stop doing what you love to do and trust the process!
Do you have a motto you live by?
“The day you stop learning is the day you need to find a new path”, I remember my grandfather telling me this when i was growing up and starting my passion with cooking bbq. I always love learning different ways or new techniques when it comes to cooking since there are so many different ways to cook. In the end the reward is always the same to see the happiness/joy when a person takes the first bite of your cooking and seeing them smile from ear to ear.
What’s in the pipeline for StayrootedBBQ?
I plan to continue cooking and sharing my ideas via social media platforms. As well as creating cooks with my fellow content creators at events locally and around the world.
What are you social handles, where can people follow your journey?