Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay and Brooke Frankovich.
Jay and Brooke, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
About 8 years ago, we started BBQ competitions in Texas. We won some, we lost some, but in 2017, we moved to Tennessee for work and started catering out of our home on the side. Our first official commercial kitchen was 8ft x 12ft and passed a health inspection with flying colors! On February 7, 2018, we lost our home, our workspace, and our barn in a fluke electrical fire. Our community around us, many of whom we didn’t even know at that point, wrapped us up and carried us through the next year.
Jay says often, “I never felt so loved as the day my house burnt down”. People and donations and trucks and trailers came from everywhere to help us. East Tennessee taught us how to love people and how to give. First, we built a bigger kitchen to operate. A whopping 12×24 ft upgrade for us! We built our barn back then…. right where our house used to stand. It was supposed to be a shop and horse stalls. But I posted a picture of the barn on social media and within one week I had 3 messages asking if they could rent it and we cater. “Welp,” we thought, “ok, Jesus, we hear you.” And we started booking weddings.
Within a year, we’d outgrown that kitchen and built where we operate now. A 60 x 40 renovated hay barn. We started with one pit and now operate 3 much bigger ones daily. We’ve added to the barn and now host weddings, live music, and other events. Our most recent venture is the food truck! Last fall, amidst all of the vaccine mandates, we decided it best for our family to be independent.
So, we introduced a food truck that operates 3-4 days per week. It seems like all of our next steps have been ordered. We never could have envisioned all we do today, and we’re so grateful for our journey. We tell everyone, you come once as a visitor but after that, you’re Smokin F Family.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think I mostly answered this in the last question, but I can say each of our struggles propelled us into something greater! Like my mom says, “we learn best in the valleys.” Our faith is strongest when we’re uncomfortable and leaning on Jesus. And that’s always when we learn something new.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Smokin F BBQ and Barn?
We are from Texas, so Jay’s brisket and our Jalapeno Cream Corn are what we’re most known for! We insist on using top-quality ingredients and local when we can. We never serve reheated bbq! No crock pots or freezer packs. Always right from the pit to your plate.
But beyond the food, we love people. Like genuinely love people. Food is really our love language. We get asked often what the F stands for. Originally it was Frankovich, but we’ve realized all the things we stand for are F words taken: Food, Farm, Faith, Family, and Freedom.
What’s next?
Well, that’s always the question at our house!! Jay and I are always moving and shaking and never settled. So, we’re always looking for the next move. Right now, we’re not sure just what that is. But the food and the concerts at the barn are where our heart lies. Whatever move we make, our social media crowd will be the first to know what’s happening!
Contact Info:
- Website: TheSmokinF.com
- Instagram: @Smokinfbbq
- Facebook: Smokinf
