I can’t believe it’s been ten years today that Livefire, in one form or another, has been here.
Ten years ago, Bucky McOinkum’s Barbecue started. It’s focus was on new teams to barbecue competitions, talking about what we were going through just a couple competitions ahead. Sometimes the best advice is from someone who was just where you want to go, not from someone who was there 100 competitions ago.
From that point, Bucky McOinkum’s because Bucky’s Barbecue and Bread. I was expanding my focus and learning to bake bread.
After a bit of that, though, I realized I just love outdoor cooking in all forms, so I didn’t want to limit myself. Bucky’s turned into Livefire, and things have been going along great since then!
Along the way, I’ve met some really fantastic people. Some are even semi-famous! I appreciate every one of them, too. Without the people I’ve met along the way, I would never have been able to help feed several hundred people through my church. It is one of the most memorable things in my life that, for several years in a row, cooks came to Dayton, Ohio, from up to several hundred miles away, even Canada, just to spend time together and feed strangers that just to be treated with respect and a kind heart.
I’ve been published in cookbooks and magazines. I’ve had my photography featured in trade magazines, too.
And I started a side photography business, called Livefire Photography, where I do food and equine photography (odd mix, huh?).
I’ve also been involved with some great companies, and expanded my ability to cook, my ability to open my eyes and ears to others, and I’ve given myself examples of how to do things right by being part of a great community of selfless people.
I’ve also been working with a local show, Living Dayton, with Sallie Taylor, doing food segments for the last 2 1/2 years! It’s fun, and a great break from my usual day. They keep me coming back for 2 reasons: 1. my food is really good, and 2. my likeness to Shrek makes them all look just that much better!
And through all this, my most popular article is still about chocolate chip cookies! I’ll be posting more on that soon, as I’ve been improving the already-best chocolate chip cookies even more!
Thanks to those that stop by and read my stuff. I enjoy doing it, and I hope others get something out of it.
Photo is by Jessica Diamond, used via Creative Commons licensing. The original is found here.
