Mr. Neil P Strawder

Neil “Bigmista” Strawder went from backyard cookouts and church fundraisers to winning barbecue competitions and running a cult‑favorite BBQ‑for‑breakfast joint in Long Beach, California, where critics and locals lined up for smoked meat before most people had coffee. His food and larger‑than‑life personality earned him love from Pulitzer Prize–winning critic Jonathan Gold and appearances on national food TV.​​

These days, Bigmista lives in Texas, with his wife, daughter, and dog, geeking out on spice blends the way some folks obsess over fantasy football. When he's not mixing rubs, Neil mentors aspiring food business owners on how to turn their passion into profit. As the author of “SPICE: The Variety of Life,” he dives into how spices, rubs, and seasonings can turn everyday cooking into something worth talking about, one bold blend at a time.