06/16/2026
I have always loved cooking. Making great tasting smoked meats became my passion. I learned to weld just so I could build my own ārealā smoker. My dad helped me construct the first Gather Around BBQ open-air trailer. We thankfully had some success at several regional Kansas City Barbecue Society competitions so we decided to start offering our product to the public.
We participated in our first official event at the Martinsville Grand Prix June 2012. What an incredible experience. From then on it never slowed down. We cooked at many regional events throughout Indiana and that success earned us a loyal customer base.
We bought our first commercial food trailer and smoker and thanks to Rob Helms I had the honor of cooking for many well known country music artists. It was an incredible opportunity. We worked hard and with Godās provision grew a family business that has become a beloved community partner.
I could have never done it without the love and support of my parents Richard and Sharon Greene. My most favorite memories include my mom working at the register at all our events. She loved our customers and they loved her. I could not have made it through the past 14 years without my wife Melissa and four kids Hannah, Braden, Lauren and Emma. In the early days it was all hands on deck and they were by my side at the busiest events working long days. It taught my children the value of hard work and serving a community. Iām proud they are all successful adults now. I like to think that Gather Around BBQ had a part in that.
I want to thank Pete Tebbe for being the inspiration for the business name. We cooked together up at Purdue for all our friends and we were known for saying, āGather Around for a 101!ā. I want to thank Christy and Eric Woods for always being in the trenches with me. They also worked long, hard hours at BBQ events and competitions with me. I couldnāt have done it without them. The pivotal point came in a discussion with Brian Beasley. The full commercial launch happened with his encouragement. He was the idea and IT guy. Iām grateful for his intellectual and spiritual guidance.
I have to take this opportunity to highlight the kindness and generosity of my friend Brad Balesā¦ this guy has provided cherry fire wood for my commercial smokers for many years. He never took a dime from me for it. He never accepted a complimentary meal. He has also selflessly decorated the lawn outside the restaurant for Christmas for many years, even building a homemade sleigh for people to come and take Christmas pictures in. He is the real deal. Thank you, Brad.
Over the years so many people helped work at the events, supported us as loyal customers and came to our rescue to repair equipment or fix electrical and plumbing. We thank you all and you are loved and appreciated.
And now it is time to turn the page to the next chapter. I want to thank Amy Twardoski and Jade Reed for their hard work at the restaurant. I want to congratulate them on their new ownership of Gather Around BBQ -something that I built with my heart. I wish them every success and may they continue to serve our community.
With gratitude,
Kevin Greene
