Cíao, cosa sta succedendo?! Sallie here . . .Growing up in an Italian household, food was everything! From my great-grandmothers in Sicily and Naples to my now family spread across the city and island, we have always enjoyed cooking and eating great food! Today, our palates have expanded to other great styles and cultures, but the love of food has remained constant.

By day, I am a high school teacher (and Batman by night . .), so I love learning from others! I consider myself a continuous learner, and I love sharing new ideas, especially when it comes to a new delicious recipe!

Pasta sauce runs through my veins! But, I do love some good ol’ BBQ! I learned how to BBQ from watching my dad whip up dinner on his ol’ Weber back in the 90s (that long ago!), and I have become a grill master myself (minus the New Balance sneaks!)

Last year, I purchased my Traeger Silverton 620, and I have not looked back! Traeger is a great product, which launched my BBQ game by helping me make great quality food (you can even ask my wife!). Along this journey, I have connected with some fellow BBQers who are doing some amazing things, so I have a lot to learn. I am excited to see where this journey takes us! But, in the meantime, let’s throw a brisket on, crack open a couple of cold ones and let the good times roll! applausi amici miei!

Cíao!

The Grill: Traeger Silverton 620

Hey hey! Nick here... I guess you could say I’ve always had an admiration for those who cook. My mother is a great cook and my father... likes to eat. Both sides of my family have their traditions in food so my “style” of cooking, if you want to call it that, is influenced by my father’s Italian side and my mother’s comfort food side.

In 2013, I started working for one of Long Island’s largest hospitality groups coordinating their social media and digital marketing programs. It’s been a blast and it made me appreciate what it actually takes to run a restaurant.

I absolutely love using a barbecue. There is nothing better than being outside with family and friends, grilling up some burgers or smoking some brisket. Add a couple of brewskis (or Peronis), and it’s the perfect day.

I’m excited to see where this thing goes! I’m still learning and I’m still experimenting with my barbecue recipes. I’m ready to start documenting our successes - and honest failures. As my great “grandmotha” would say, “Ya liva, and ya loina!” That’s “learning” for you non-eyetalians.

See you around the pit!

Grills: Traeger 780 Pro and a Weber Genesis II.