Grilling with Mastery: An Exclusive Interview with TikTok’s BBQ Maestro, Kunchi from @cookinwidkunchi

Hello, culinary explorers!

Today, we’ll dive deep into the smoky, tantalizing world of barbeque, guided by none other than Kunchi from @cookinwidkunchi. This grill master has amassed quite the following on TikTok, and it’s no wonder why! His mouth-watering BBQ creations and easy-to-follow videos have caught the attention of foodies and grill enthusiasts all around the world.

Join me on this culinary journey, and you might even find some BBQ pitmaster tips to try at your next cookout.

Meeting the Pitmaster: Kunchi from @cookinwidkunchi

One of the first things you’ll notice about Kunchi is his unique, down-to-earth approach to BBQ. His journey to becoming a food content creator wasn’t exactly typical. Born out of a love for photography, Kunchi initially aimed to shoot photos of his culinary creations and hoped to work for a magazine one day. But a friendly suggestion from his friend Chad—who also helped Kunchi shoot and edit a lot of his early content—made him consider going into the restaurant business.

Kunchi, however, had a different vision. He wasn’t keen on opening a restaurant but decided to take a shot at YouTube. Despite committing to it for a year, he didn’t see the growth he was hoping for, so he pivoted and immersed himself in the social media landscape.

The platform that truly clicked for him was TikTok, where he discovered a community receptive to his BBQ videos. This warm welcome on TikTok made him feel right at home, and it wasn’t long before he became a revered grill master on the platform.

Cooking with Kunchi: The Art of Simple BBQ

What sets Kunchi apart from other grill masters? His answer would be, “simplicity.”

Kunchi’s cooking style can be described as minimalistic—no extra frills, no unnecessary steps. He leans towards unpretentious and straightforward cooking techniques, all about maximizing flavors and textures without complicating the process. He says, “I do not like condiments or useless steps in my process.” The ultimate goal? Ensuring his delicious food doesn’t just sit on the table but gets devoured by his guests!

This approach has certainly resonated with many. His ability to create engaging content by responding to audience queries, questions, and comments accounts for more than 75% of his content. By addressing his viewers directly through his videos, Kunchi keeps his followers hooked and looking forward to his next mouth-watering creation.

From Mishaps to Masterpieces

Even the most skilled grill masters encounter cooking blunders from time to time, and Kunchi is no exception. He shared a rather amusing incident when he accidentally used a hot and spicy marinade instead of a mild one, resulting in a dinner that was too fiery for his family to handle! But as any experienced cook knows, such hiccups are part and parcel of the journey and often lead to better, tastier results in the future.

Among his plethora of creations, Kunchi takes particular pride in a vegan curry dish he created. Despite being his first time working with tofu, the dish was a hit, appealing to both vegans and non-vegans alike. It’s dishes like these that showcase Kunchi’s versatility and creativity, proving that BBQ isn’t just about the meat—it’s about elevating flavors, regardless of the ingredients used.

Inspiring Amateur Cooks

For those just starting their cooking journey, Kunchi’s advice is simple yet profound: “Master time management. Try everything at least once. Cook for the love, not for the likes.” It’s this passion, dedication, and constant willingness to experiment that embodies Kunchi’s philosophy toward food and cooking.

In terms of food trends, Kunchi tends to steer clear, preferring to stick to simple and traditional recipes. However, he does adapt to trends when his audience asks for it, showing his commitment to keeping his content relevant and interesting.

Operation Community BBQ: More than Just a Hobby

When he’s not behind the grill, Kunchi devotes his time to his non-profit, Operation Community BBQ. This organization promotes the joy of BBQ and aims to build stronger communities by bringing together experienced grill masters, rookies, and enthusiasts to share tips, tricks, and inspiration. Kunchi’s belief that BBQ can be a tool to connect people shines through this initiative.

A Taste of Kunchi’s BBQ: Baked Beans Recipe

To give you a firsthand taste of Kunchi’s BBQ prowess, here’s a delectable Baked Beans recipe straight from the pitmaster himself.

Baked Beans

Ingredients:

• 1 lb dried navy beans

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1 whole onion (white or yellow)

• 1 lb bacon

• 1 jar or bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce

• 2 cups apple juice

• ½ cup mustard

• ½ cup ketchup

• 1-2 tbsp of your favorite BBQ rub that would pair with this flavor profile

Directions:

1. Soak beans in room temperature water overnight.

2. The next day, cook the beans over medium-high heat until they are tender but not mushy.

3. Chop the bacon into desired sizes.

4. In a skillet over medium heat, render the bacon until crispy.

5. Optional: You can sauté the onions with the bacon, or remove the bacon and use the bacon grease.

6. Optional: Add the bacon grease to the beans, as desired. Discard any excess bacon grease.

7. Combine all the ingredients into a pan suitable for smoking.

8. Smoke the beans in your smoker alongside the meat at 225-250 degrees Fahrenheit until the sauce thickens.

Recipe Notes:

• This recipe serves as a base, and you can customize it to create different flavor profiles such as savory, sweet, spicy, or a combination of flavors. Just make sure to add some smoke to enhance the taste.

• For a sweet flavor profile like the one described here, preferred woods for smoking would be post oak, pecan, cherry, apple, or hickory. These wood profiles will complement the sweetness of the dish.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Baked Beans!

See Kunchi’s Full Recipe Here: The Easiest Homemade Smoked Baked Beans: Post 2023

So, there you have it, folks! An inside look into the culinary journey of Kunchi from @cookinwidkunchi. He’s not just a grill master, but an inspiration for those who appreciate the simple pleasures of good food and good company. So, go ahead, fire up that grill, and remember Kunchi’s words: “Recipes are just a guideline; you are the dish.”

Be sure to check out more of his appetizing creations on his TikTok page, @cookinwidkunchi, and stay tuned for more fascinating grill master interviews and mouth-watering recipes.

Happy grilling!

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