Kevin Bludso

Kevin Bludso
Born1965 (age 58–59)
Compton, California, U.S.
Culinary career
Cooking styleAmerican
Current restaurant(s)
    • Bludso's Bar & Cue
    • San Antone
Previous restaurant(s)
    • Bludso's BBQ
Television show(s)

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

Early life

Bludso was born in 1965 in Compton, California.[1] His father was a police officer at the Los Angeles Police Department; his mother was a postal service worker.[2] While on summer vacation, Bludso lived with his aunt, Willie Mae Fields, in Corsicana, Texas.[3] 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.[4]

Career

Prior to entering the food industry, Bludso worked as a correctional officer for thirteen years.[4] He opened Bludso's BBQ in 2008, serving as its pitmaster.[5] 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.[6] Since 2020, Bludso serves as a judge on the Netflix series The American Barbecue Showdown.[3]

Personal life

As of September 2020, Bludso resides in Texas. He is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.[3]

Restaurants owned by Bludso

United States

Restaurant Location Date opened Date closed
Bludso's BBQ[7] Compton, California 2008[8] September 2016[6]
Bludso's Bar & Que[7] Hollywood, California 2013[8]
Bludso's Bar-B-Que[9] The Proud Bird Food Bazaar, California 2017[10]
Bludso's BBQ[11][12] Banc of California Stadium, California 2018[13]

Australia

Restaurant Location Date opened Date closed
San Antone[14] Crown Melbourne, Southbank, Victoria November 10, 2015[15] 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. ^ a b c Carman, Tim (September 19, 2020). "Black pitmasters deserve their rightful place in history, says barbecue elder statesman Kevin Bludso". The Washington Post.
  4. ^ a b 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. ^ a b Scatterwood, Amy (November 16, 2016). "Bludso's BBQ in Compton closes, to reopen in a new location". Los Angeles Times.
  7. ^ a b "Bludso's Bar & Que". Bludso's Bar & Que. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  8. ^ a b 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. 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.