Story

Bryan Furman

Taste the Culture: Philanthropic BBQ

Justin Sutherland visits Bryan Furman at the site of his soon-to-be opened new barbecue restaurant. Bryan is one of the brightest rising stars in the barbecue world who has not only mastered the art of barbecue but also the art of giving back. In the episode, both chefs talk through what it takes to be a true master craftsman, the importance of remembering where you came from, and – most importantly to Bryan – the power of giving back.

Here’s a look back at the first Chef in Residence at Stone Barns of Season Two, Chef Bryan Furman. Footage courtesy of American Express and Resy.

 

Bryan Furman is living his pitmaster dreams! The journey began during his daughter’s first birthday party; he introduced to his smoking skills to his family and friends. He has always enjoyed the art of smoking meats and decided to put his skills to the test by smoking his first whole pig. Orders poured in following the birthday celebration so he decided to pursue his new passion: being a pitmaster. 

Since that event, Bryan has opened successful BBQ restaurants in Savannah and Atlanta, GA. Unfortunately, the renowned B’s Crackling BBQ in Atlanta, GA succumbed to a tragic fire in March 2019. Nevertheless, Bryan has showcased his pitmaster skills all over the US and Europe, smoking meats for Stone Barn Center in New York and Meatopia in the United Kingdom. 

Ever persistent, the pitmaster is looking forward to opening his new location in the Riverside area of Atlanta, GA which is slated for 2022. In addition, Bryan has opened a second location in the State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks. Simultaneously, he will continue to collaborate Pop-Up cookouts throughout the country. 

Bryan Furman is well known for his award-winning standards in all categories of barbeque. He has been named one of Food & Wine Magazine’s 2019 Best New Chefs, becoming the first Pitmaster to ever receive the title. He also received a 2019 and 2020 James Beard Foundation semifinalist nomination for Best Chef Southeast. 

Bryan‘s pitmaster standards are well above most. Furman insists on using Heritage hogs for his meats, a perfectly marbled source of meat for smoking. He personally selects woods for creating his signature smoke favors. He also is very selective in making his own side dishes using locally-sourced, fresh Georgia-Grown produce with a blend of unique ingredients. In 2022, Bryan launched his signature line of BBQ Rubs called Bryan Furman 1432 BBQ Rubs, available here.

Furman was recently featured on CBS Saturday Morning’s The Dish and named Atlanta’s BBQ King. Southern Living magazine selected Bryan Furman BBQ as one of “The South’s Top 50 Barbecue Joints 2018” and the New York Times recently mentioned that Bryan Furman BBQ is the only barbecue restaurant in Atlanta turning out whole-hog barbeque with heirloom-breed hogs.

 

LEAD STAFF

Bryan Furman
Owner/Pitmaster

Illia Hayes
Business Manager

Abraxas Abrams-Pickens
Director of Marketing