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Black Barn BBQ caters local events

By Anne Carmichael

For The Jessamine Journal

 

Michael Snowden, owner of Black Barn BBQ, says he learned the art of grilling from the best with the majority of recipes and techniques handed down by his father, Buddy Snowden.

From a young age, Snowden said he watched his father barbequing, and the smells of hickory wood and smoldering sugary rubs are memories ingrained over a lifetime.

Snowden said both his parents, Marcie and Buddy Snowden, were raised in Nicholasville but moved to Kansas, thus making the traditional Kansas City BBQ finding their way into Black Barn’s recipes.

While they don’t have a storefront, Snowden said they’re “Always Open.” Perhaps that’s because the meats are slow-cooked for 13 to 15 hours. The majority of Black Barn BBQ’s business is catering, as well as some vending from their food truck for local events.

“We cater everything from weddings, business events, and large parties to backyard cookouts,” Snowden said. “I love getting out and meeting people. It does my heart good to watch them enjoy our food.”

The ingredients for both the meat rubs and other dishes are secret family recipes held close to the chest, Snowden said, but if someone is interested in booking Black Barn BBQ for an event, they’ll be happy to prepare a sample platter and deliver it to the customer to help them decide what they’d like to serve.

“These guys make meats that just fall off the bone and make your mouth water,” customer Christian Berg said. “Their chicken is some of the best I’ve ever had, and their ribs are to die for. If you are in the area, do yourself a favor and get yourself some.”

Snowden says Black Barn BBQ is different from the flavors and spices residents will find locally.

“The flavors are traditional to Kansas,” Snowden said. “We use brown sugar and spices you don’t usually find in rubs around here.”

Another thing that sets Black Barn BBQ apart from its competition is they don’t just serve food, they also provide entertainment. Snowden said he joins in with local singer, Lauren Mink, and a three-piece ensemble to provide live music for events.

“We’re a rolling party,” Snowden said. “We cook the meats for 13 to 15 hours over a slow fire. We have delicious side dishes, and we have wonderful cakes and cupcakes made by Katy Mink. Add in the live music, our years of experience, and our passion for what we do and you’ve got everything you could want for any occasion. Our customers agree.”

Customer Leigh Johnson Wells said Black Barn BBQ has catered events for them in the past and everything was more than delicious.

“I highly recommend them if you are looking for some amazing food for your event,” Wells said.

For more information call 859-221-9656.