Kevin Bludso

Kevin Bludso
Born1965 (age 60–61)
Compton, California, U.S.
Culinary career
Cooking styleAmerican
Current restaurants
  • Bludso's Bar & Cue
  • San Antone
Previous restaurant
  • Bludso's BBQ
Television show

Kevin Bludso (born 1965) is an American chef, restaurateur, and television personality.

Early life

Bludso was born in 1965 in Compton, California. His father was a police officer at the Los Angeles Police Department; his mother was a postal service worker. While on summer vacation, Bludso lived with his aunt, Willie Mae Fields, in Corsicana, Texas. Fields introduced him to Texas-style barbecue; at the age of 9 or 10, Bludso was allowed to help with the cooking. He studied business at the Dallas-based Bishop College.

Career

Prior to entering the food industry, Bludso worked as a correctional officer for thirteen years. He opened Bludso's BBQ in 2008, serving as its pitmaster. Based in Compton, the restaurant shut down in September 2016, following a dispute with the landlord. Bludso also owns restaurants in Hollywood and Melbourne, Australia. Since 2020, Bludso serves as a judge on the Netflix series The American Barbecue Showdown.

Personal life

As of September 2020, Bludso resides in Texas. He is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

Restaurants owned by Bludso

United States

Restaurant Location Date opened Date closed
Bludso's BBQ Compton, California 2008 September 2016
Bludso's Bar & Que Hollywood, California 2013
Bludso's Bar-B-Que The Proud Bird Food Bazaar, California 2017
Bludso's BBQ Banc of California Stadium, California 2018

Australia

Restaurant Location Date opened Date closed
San Antone Crown Melbourne, Southbank, Victoria November 10, 2015 June 25, 2023

Television appearances

References

  1. ↑ Reames, Kristen (February 25, 2020). "Celebrating Diversity: Kevin Bludso of Bludso's Bar & Que". Tableside Mag.
  2. ↑ Vaughn, Daniel (August 5, 2015). "Interview: Kevin Bludso of Bludso's BBQ". Texas Monthly.
  3. 1 2 3 Carman, Tim (September 19, 2020). "Black pitmasters deserve their rightful place in history, says barbecue elder statesman Kevin Bludso". The Washington Post.
  4. 1 2 Jacobs, Janet (June 16, 2013). "Corsicana lessons translate to Hollywood dining success". Corsicana Daily Sun.
  5. ↑ Kronsberg, Matthew (July 25, 2020). "BBQ: The Ultimate Guide". The Wall Street Journal.
  6. 1 2 Scatterwood, Amy (November 16, 2016). "Bludso's BBQ in Compton closes, to reopen in a new location". Los Angeles Times.
  7. 1 2 "Bludso's Bar & Que". Bludso's Bar & Que. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  8. 1 2 Reid, J. C. (March 17, 2012). "It's Not Texas, but the Barbecue Can Fool You". The New York Times.
  9. ↑ "Food Bazaar". The Proud Bird. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  10. ↑ Washicko, Cynthia (June 29, 2017). "Iconic Proud Bird restaurant reopens as food bazaar near LAX". Daily Breeze.
  11. ↑ Harris, Jenn (April 27, 2018). "Your LAFC stadium food guide: Bludso's, Beer Belly and Seoul Sausage". Los Angeles Times.
  12. ↑ "Banc Of California Stadium Opens With Culinary Collection Of Los Angeles Favorites". Los Angeles Football Club. April 16, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  13. ↑ Elliott, Farley (March 15, 2018). "Bludso's Brings Barbecue Credentials to LA's New Soccer Stadium".
  14. ↑ "San Antone by Bludso's BBQ". Crown Melbourne. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  15. ↑ Grundy, Roslyn (November 5, 2015). "Texas pit master to open San Antone by Bludso's BBQ in Melbourne's Crown". goodfood.