A Social Media Sensation
If you have ever searched for a barbecue recipe, chances are you’ve stumbled across Malcom Reed and his brand, How to BBQ Right. From YouTube and Facebook to TikTok and Instagram, Malcom and his wife, Rachelle, have established a worldwide social media enterprise.
Their secret ingredient? Good old-fashioned Southern hospitality. In fact, if you have the chance to meet the Reeds, you will think you’ve reconnected with family.
Nowadays, these Mississippi Land Bank customers are growing their well-seasoned business in ways they never dreamed possible, while caring for a piece of rural land they never imagined they could own.
Cooking with Family and Friends
Malcom didn’t set out to create a barbecue empire. Initially, he had simpler plans – attend college and get a job with an established company, then on weekends, hang out with friends and cook something.
“Growing up in the south, our gatherings revolved around barbecue,” Malcom said. “I was just drawn to it.”
As college students, Malcom, his brother and some buddies formed a competition cooking team, the Killer Hogs.
“We got a call one day for our red beans and rice,” Malcom said. “It had nothing to do with barbecue, but you would have thought we’d won the whole thing!”
Competing with the Pros
As more awards followed, the team members took it more seriously and homed in on their recipes. They set their sights on the amateur division of the prestigious Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.
“We could no longer cook in any amateur contests,” Malcom said. “So, we bought a better smoker with the prize money.”
With their new smoker in tow, the team traveled all over the South to professional cook-offs.
“We got really competitive,” Malcom said. “We won a lot of trophies and made some money. I guess that was the start of my barbecue addiction.”
Reaching a Career Crossroad
During this time, Malcom transitioned from a college student to young professional, working at a commercial architecture firm and cooking on the weekends.
Then the 2009 recession hit and work slowed down. As the new guy, he was laid off not once but twice.
“By this time, I was married with a child on the way, and I didn’t have a job. I told Rachelle I wanted to try and make it in the barbecue world,” he said.
As the Killer Hogs were making a name for themselves on the competitive cooking circuit, people took noticed of Malcom’s custom barbecue rubs.
“People often asked me to make them some rub seasoning,” Malcom said. “I’d mix up three pounds, keep one pound to cook with and sell the other two.”
The rubs kept selling, so Malcom and Rachelle partnered with a co-packer to produce the unique seasonings. Today, they offer five different rubs – popular items sold in their online store.
Keeping Content Fresh
Malcom’s brand – How to BBQ Right – focuses on simplicity. He has easy-to-follow recipes that use many of the ingredients already in most kitchens.
“Barbecue used to be really proprietary. No one wanted to give out their rub or sauce recipes,” Malcom said. “I decided to pull back the curtain. I wanted to create a community of people who could all share barbecue knowledge and tips.”
Together, the Reeds make it happen. Rachelle is the behind-the-scenes commander, managing the website, recording and editing videos and overseeing the staff.
Mixing BBQ and Land Management, With a Lender’s Help
Barbecue isn’t the Reeds’ only passion. Malcom always dreamed of owning land where he and his family could gather, hunt and cook.
“I never thought I would have the means to own my own hunting property,” Malcom said. “But with Mississippi Land Bank’s help, we made it happen. They’ve been so good to work with and we have a great relationship.”
Now that they own land and a country home in North Mississippi, the Reeds are ready for the next challenge.
“We want to take care of the land we have and help our wildlife,” Malcom said. “We’re planting summer and fall crops for our game and trying to improve the overall habitat. I’m hoping to learn from those who have done it before, and then share what I learn.”
And just like the community they created for barbecue fans, they’re now looking to establish a community of followers focused on land stewardship.
“In everything we do, we want to make information accessible and easy to follow,” Malcom said. “I hope we can teach kids about hunting, fishing and preserving our natural resources. Then, maybe we can help them cook up some good barbecue, too.”
