Chef Taylor’s love for cooking started at a young age, she grew up going to organic farms with her mother to pick produce for their CSA (community sustained agriculture) share. She would then help her mom prepare and cook whatever was fresh and in season, accompanied by meat from the farm of course, for as long as she can remember.
She received her first Big Green Egg from her father at 10 years old after being told BBQ was “a man’s sport” when asking a man at a horse show how he had made his brisket. She has been perfecting her craft ever since—she even went on to work for Big Green Egg as the company's head culinary instructor/chef. In addition to her lifelong love of BBQ, Taylor also ran restaurants as executive chef, a commercial bakery, and attended school for baking and pastry.
Taylor now professionally develops recipes and creates photo and video content in addition to representing brands at events. You may have also seen her on Food Network’s "Guys Grocery Games" or "BBQ Brawl" season 2, where she was Bobby Flay’s first pick. You can find her on Instagram at @firepits_and_ovenmitts.
I was born in a culture dominated by one of the most addictive things ever created: the TACO! Living in Southern California affords me the opportunity to be in the Mecca of Tacos and surround myself with some of the best tacos around. The tacos run deep in my veins. "It is not just an item on the menu, it is a way of life. Some will say that it is even religion, with the taqueria being my place of worship." I love regional Mexican cuisine having been influenced greatly by my Abuelita and Mom, who were raised In Chihuahua, Mexico. I love food history and believe great food should have purpose, a story, and evoke feelings. I also believe that food is healing and transcends cultures. The taco is universal and adored and appreciated by all! In my spare time I also enjoy fishing from the surf, collecting vintage Weber kettles, surfing, and all things trucker hats. Love, Peace, & Tacos!
Doug started BBQing in 2009 on a stick burning offsets when a neighbor asked him to participate in a fundraiser where they placed third overall with a second in ribs and third in brisket. With Doug's analytical background studying Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M, combined with his competitive nature, Doug turned this one-time BBQ competition into a passion.
He soon started Rogue Cookers, a grilling social media account to share recipes and BBQ tips, and has competed in over 100 BBQ cook offs with his wife of 30 years, Jennifer Talley. Some of the awards he's won include the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo BBQ World Grand Champion 2015 and Finalist in 2016 and 2017, San Antonio Rodeo BBQ Cook Off 4th Place Overall 2013, American Royal 2015 Traeger Royal Battle Champion in Pork, and Jack Daniels Invitational 1st Place in Cook's Choice in 2015.
Doug has been exclusively using Traeger Pellet Grills for the past 6 years and is a Traeger Grills Pro Instructor who teaches BBQ Shop Classes, along with other Traeger sponsored events. Doug also is the Texas BBQ Correspondent for the weekly BBQ Central Internet Radio Show hosted by Greg Rempe and is a paid Brand Ambassador for Head Country BBQ.
"Cooking isn't Rocket Science. But being a Rocket Scientist with a secret weapon doesn't hurt." - Doug Scheiding