QCP #021 | Garnet “G Stacks” Geoffroy, BBQ Pit Builder | The Arc of Fire and Iron

GUEST BIO If you had BBQ in the Bay Area in the past ten years, there’s a good chance the meat was cooked on one of the units fabricated by our next guest – Garnet Geoffroy, also known as G Stacks – proud owner and welder of custom-made, handcrafted smokers and pits right here on the west coast of Northern California.  Barbecue pits are a great equalizer for entrepreneurs typically bogged down by the seemingly endless fees and regulations imparted on small business owners who have no resources or means of opening up a brick-and-mortar business. Barbecue pits and pitmasters are the embodiments of resilience. The techniques they’ve honed in and feel they’ve developed for cooking come from trial and error. Their cooks are subject to variables in time and weather, so they must be able to adapt and keep their techniques fluid and flexible to adjust as necessary to create consistency in their products.  G Stacks provides the fabric to turn these barbecue dreams into reality. His units are the legacy of what west coast barbecue is now evolving into – making a name for itself on the world stage.  I first met G Stacks while we both began our business ventures about ten years ago. With the support of our family, my wife and I started a booth at a local farmers market, which then blossomed into a full-blown catering company in less than five years in business. To help elevate the food and distinguish ourselves, I wanted to get a texas style offset smoker. Still, the closest quick search online led to businesses well outside of California, all the way to Texas even. After a month of searching, I finally found G Stacks and gave him a call, and in talking with him for about a good hour, I quickly learned about his business, passion for barbecue, and craft. His enthusiasm and love for cooking were infectious.  He went to great lengths to make sure we ended up with a suitable unit for us, and with his build and my work around the fire – we helped bring joy to the people that sought us out to do business with us and eat our food regularly. This conversation offers everything – your Monday motivation, insight into the systems in place that lead to inequality, and perspective from a resilient being that got to where he is today through hard work, observation, and determination, with a big enough heart and capacity for love to pay it back for those that most of us have forgotten or choose to look away from.  So as I’m sure with many of you, what started with a shared enthusiasm for something with a stranger – whether it be fire, food, barbecue, or whatever – can transform into a camaraderie that can be rekindled through nothing much other than good conversation. With that, please enjoy this uplifting discussion with a BBQ legend, a man of integrity and pride in his work, shedding light on others and especially his community, the people of Vallejo, CA – please enjoy this conversation with – Garnet “G Stacks” Geffory. REACH OUT HERE https://www.gstackspits.com/ Gstacks Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gstackscustomsmokers/ SEGMENT 1 | ORIGINS Fout springs https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/solano-news/solano-county/solano-still-trying-to-phase-out-fouts-springs/ Cypress Mandela Rio Consumnes Welding program at Fout Springs Welding Hood Compartment Syndrome Accidents at work/ Surgeries First Job outside of welding Growing up in Vallejo E-40 Product of the environment Thoughts on Community and Leadership Taco Bell Drive Thru Shooting – Vallejo, CA 2019 Homeless Youth in Vallejo SEGMENT 2 | THE CRAFT AND THE WORK The workers that help him Gustavo’s Story – 18 year old worker. Orphan from El Salvador. Ruby Jewels The Work Ethic G-Stack’s Mom’s hustle Cal Neva Casino Near Death Experiences/ Injuries/ Surgeries What is it about welding that he loves? Why BBQ Pits? Agricultural Community Shade and Restoration Trailer Working with your hands Shout outs to the celebrities that own his builds Traeger’s/ Factory Grills and Smokers vs Handmade Bespoke The Secret Ingredient to Success What is California BBQ? Tankhouse BBQ SEGMENT 3 | NEVER QUIT Drive through Philosophy Being Available GStacks Praying for a Man in front of a Liquor Store Street Ministry How to build a better community Matthew 6:33 The Smoke Doctor Who Motivates you? The Honor System Smokin Woods BBQ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ RESEARCH FOR THIS EPISODE https://youtu.be/zeM6j0vO71ghttps://www.sfgate.com/food/article/bay-area-bbq-barbecue-flints-everett-jones-kcs-16249865.php https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/solano-news/solano-county/vallejo-historian-releases-new-book-on-communitys-black-heritage/ https://oaklandherenow.com/blackoakland https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-evolution-of-american-barbecue-13770775/