Wednesday, September 18, 2024
At Granbury High School, where textbooks and tests typically take center stage, a group of students are finding success in a more unexpected arena—the smoky, flavorful world of competitive barbecue. Led by Culinary Arts instructor Brianne Langdon, the GHS BBQ team is teaching students not only how to master the grill but also how to grow as individuals, all while working together as a team.
The GHS BBQ team, which kicked off in the 2020-2021 school year, has quickly evolved into one of the school’s most exciting and unique programs. "Our first BBQ trailer was funded by a GEF grant and fabricated by our GHS Welding department, led by Mr. Hinojosa," Langdon recalls, explaining how the team started with just four students: Aubrey Kirby, Nate Franzmathes, Alaina Woycenko, and Maddy Hidalgo. Now entering its fifth year, the program has grown to include around 30 to 35 students, and Langdon is more excited than ever for the upcoming season.
Langdon’s path to leading the BBQ program wasn’t a straightforward one. Originally from Big Lake, Texas, she graduated from Reagan County High School in 2002 and earned a degree in Agricultural Journalism from Texas A&M University in 2005. She later pursued a master’s degree from Tarleton State University in Agriculture and Consumer Science. Langdon joined Granbury ISD nine years ago as a teacher in the Culinary Arts pathway after serving as a County Extension Agent with the 4-H program and working in the private sector.
"I had heard about high school BBQ through social media and teacher groups I belong to. I loved the idea of teaching BBQ because it is something anyone can learn to do and enjoy," she says. For Langdon, the appeal of teaching barbecue wasn’t just about food—it was about providing a space for students to grow. "My true love is helping kids be the best version of themselves they can be. The BBQ program is another tool to help them discover who they are and what they are capable of. I love teaching leadership and teamwork, empowering people through kindness and tough love, and providing a safe place for kids to try, fail, learn, grow, and succeed."
The growth of the GHS BBQ program has been nothing short of remarkable. Currently, the team has three competitive traveling teams, each comprised of up to five members. The dishes they prepare for competition include everything from desserts and beans to chicken, ribs, and brisket. For those who don’t compete, there are club members who come to practices to learn the art of barbecue without the pressure of competition. “Some kids don’t have the desire to compete, but they want to learn,” Langdon explains. “Others weren’t ready for a place on a competitive team last year but learned a lot and are looking forward to trying out this year.”
What makes the BBQ team truly special, however, is not just the food they cook but the skills and lessons learned along the way. As Langdon points out, barbecue is much more than just grilling meat—it's a science. "People don’t often equate physics and chemistry to BBQ, but science plays a huge role in the entire process," she says. "Fire management, weather, equipment, flavor combinations, cooking methods, food safety, chemical and physical reactions… those are the essence of the BBQ process."
Yet the benefits of the BBQ program go beyond science. Students develop time management skills, teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity as they prepare for competitions. "They need to know their recipes, how to fix any issues that come up, how to adapt on the fly and adjust if things aren’t going according to plan," Langdon explains. “There’s also conflict resolution and owning mistakes… Sometimes, they mess up, and it impacts the team. They must learn how to own that and how their actions impact others.”
Competitions also offer valuable opportunities for students to grow emotionally and mentally. After each event, they receive feedback cards from judges, which help them stay grounded and constantly improve. "It’s always a balance of practicing, improving, tweaking, staying humble but gaining confidence, and most importantly, having FUN while still taking care of business."
The only way to get better at BBQ is to do it, and it’s not a short, slow process. These kids must put in a lot of hours to get better. When you pair that dedication with our expectations of high character and integrity, our program strives to embody “Good People First, Good Food Second.”
The hard work has paid off. In their second year of competition, the GHS BBQ team placed 10th at the state level, with a 1st place finish in the Beans category. This past season, they placed 18th at state, with notable rankings of 4th place in brisket, 13th in chicken, and 26th in beans. As Langdon notes, "Every practice, competition, and season, our BBQ is improving, and more importantly, we are creating a culture of integrity, respect, compassion, and learning."
The program’s rise to prominence even attracted the attention of the Magnolia Network’s show “BBQ High,” which showcased the GHS BBQ team’s journey. "The ‘BBQ High’ experience has been so surreal," Langdon says. “It was a LOT of work and took so much extra time and planning, but I am incredibly grateful to the production team for choosing to share our story.”
Despite their growing success, Langdon is quick to acknowledge that the program wouldn’t be where it is today without the support of the community. “We have learned so much the last four years, and a lot of that is because of amazing community support,” she says. From local businesses like Hill City Chophouse in Tolar, which mentored the team in its first year, to individuals like Brad Boyd, who generously supplied the team with firewood, Langdon knows the importance of the help they’ve received. “BBQ is an expensive activity,” she notes. “Without the support of our community, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 season, Langdon is optimistic about what’s to come. With three competitive teams, a growing interest from middle school students, and a dedicated group of club members, the GHS BBQ team is poised for even greater success. As Langdon puts it, “We are Loud & Proud BBQ, and we can’t wait to see what happens in the 24/25 season!”
For more information about the GHS BBQ team, visit their website at https://sites.google.com/granburyisd.org/ghs-brianne-langdon/ghs-bbq or follow them on Facebook at Granbury High School BBQ.
micky@hcnews.com
