Barbeque is more than throwing a piece of meat on a grill for dinner and adding some salt and pepper for “flavor.” For actors, comedians, and friends Anthony Anderson and Cedric The Entertainer, a backyard cookout with family is full of savory or smoked sauces and rubs that are reminders of their childhood and ways to create memories.
“Nostalgia [is what] I think that makes comfort food and soul food just that good. It takes you on a journey,” Anthony Anderson says during the first episode. “Barbecue takes me back to a safe place as a kid because it was just so simple then.
Celebrating their love of barbeque, the best friends have decided to take their hobby to new heights in the A&E original series “Kings of BBQ.” Airing Saturday nights at 9/8c starting August 12th, viewers will see how both actors and comics build their barbeque business, AC Barbeque, from the ground up.
“We’re starting a barbeque empire,” Cedric The Entertainer says in the premiere. “A one-stop-shop for people short on knowledge, but long on passion for great food and good times.”
During the first episode, viewers get a brief history of Cedric The Entertainer’s St. Louis, MO., upbringing as well as Anthony Anderson’s Compton, CA childhood and how their family cookouts became the groundwork for their new business venture.
“Behind the grill, I know who I am and where I come from,” Cedric The Entertainer says.
In the first episode, viewers will see the friends go directly into work mode with the help of their trusted assistant Diego. They seek help from James Beard award-winner Kevin Bludso, take meetings with a food scientist (yeah, there are actually food scientists) and travel the country to get the best tips, tricks, and lessons on how to make their barbeque empire a standout favorite among cookout enthusiasts.
“Anthony and I are very excited to take our audience into the savory, smokehouse-filled, finger-licking world of barbeque all across the United States,” Cedric The Entertainer said in a statement. Added Anderson: “The launch of AC Barbeque has been a lifelong dream for Cedric and I and we cannot wait to learn more about the craft and share our journey.”
Get your wet wipes and napkins ready. “Kings of BBQ” is here!
