LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A social media sensation from Kentucky got to show off his barbecuing skills in Lincoln on Friday, doing a restaurant takeover at Canyon Joe’s downtown.
Jeremy Yoder, the talent behind Mad Scientist BBQ, has traveled the world learning new methods of barbecuing and creating videos online to teach others what he’s learned.
Yoder said he’s visiting Lincoln because of Canyon Joe’s, which uses a wood-fired smoker to cook meat “the right way.”
“It’s as old school as old school gets, you build a fire and use it to cook meat, and that’s what I love,” Yoder said. “They invited me out for one day, I get to cook my menu and so I said ‘absolutely.’”
Originally from Michigan, Yoder spent several years as a science teacher in Los Angeles, before moving back to Kentucky to do online content creation full time.
Aside from teaching viewers the science behind barbecue, Yoder also makes videos experimenting with new ways of cooking. Friday was his first time trying out his own menu at a restaurant.
Yoder said while he never set out to do this job, he loves meeting the people who watch his videos, and getting an opportunity to share his creations with them in person.
“What I think was the coolest thing for me is I get to cook for the people who watch me cook week after week,” he said. “That’s what it’s about for me is giving back to the people who make it possible for me to make content. I’ve had real jobs before, this beats having a real job. I get to make barbecue and make a living doing it.”
After spending the afternoon cooking ribs, brisket and other good eats, Yoder plans to try out a few more Nebraska staples, including Runza and a Husker football game on Saturday.
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Dining and Cooking