Meet the Team

Charlie has explored and savored the broad spectrum of BBQ flavors across the country. His expertise and dedication to the craft of BBQ make him an invaluable asset to our team. As a seasoned writer and pitmaster, Charlie contributes not only through his insightful reviews and articles but also by sharing his tried-and-true techniques and recipes. Whether you’re looking to master your smoker or seeking the next great BBQ joint, Charlie’s guidance and stories will inspire your culinary adventures. Get to know Charlie and join him on our journey of exploring the best BBQ that Rhode Island has to offer. So, if you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to all things BBQ in Rhode Island and beyond, look no further than Rhode Island BBQ News. We are your one-stop-shop for all things smoky, flavorful, and delicious!

Tom’s journey as a butcher began during the years in the mid-70s, marking the onset of a remarkable 49-year career in the meat industry. Starting as an apprentice in 1981, he immersed himself in the art of butchery amidst supermarkets. His career trajectory took him from mastering meat cutting to assuming management and merchandising roles across five major companies in southeastern New England. His expertise in meat and his dedication to the craft led him to embrace the BBQ fever in the early 2000s. He acquired a basic horizontal offset smoker and began his journey as an amateur pit master. Tom’s passion for BBQ grew as he experimented with modification techniques to enhance smoker performance. Tom’s profound knowledge of meat and his love for BBQ have seamlessly merged.

From childhood, Kristen Murray Porcaro has always been a Wordsmith. Currently, she is “A Meat Adjacent” ardent contributing writer for The RI BBQ News Platforms. With her Fantastic Fiancé who is an IT Architect by day and an after-hours Chef “For Fun,” as well as with her Phenomenal Bestie who is a flight attendant, she relishes in and avails herself of a superfluity of “FOODIE ADVENTURES,” and exhilarating travel. Additionally, Kristen is immensely fascinated by the Art of Mixology and avidly participates in as many “Cocktail and Mixology” Seminars, Tastings, Lectures, and Classes as possible. Hostessing, Tablescaping Cultivation, Ambiance Stewardship, and Curating Dramatic and Astonishing Culinary events in Coalescence With The Perfect Soundtrack are her forte. Now in her Golden Years, Kristen is inordinately thrilled, acutely intrigued and wholeheartedly filled with unbridled enthusiastic anticipation to share her Foodie Adventure Findings and Research with the RI BBQ News Family.

Introducing Vincent Porcaro, who has a palate refined by years of exploring the smoky depths of barbecue cuisine, Vincent brings to Rhode Island BBQ News a wealth of knowledge and a burning passion for all things BBQ. His journey through the world of BBQ has taken him from the tender, slow-cooked brisket of Texas to the tangy, pulled pork of the Carolinas, each flavor leaving a lasting impression on his discerning taste buds. Vincent’s dedication to mastering the art of BBQ shines through in every bite, as he continues to push the boundaries of flavor and technique in the world of barbecue.

Meet Southychanh Salinthone, the Visionary Founder of SmokingAsian.com. In the world of BBQ, innovation and passion are the key ingredients to success, and nobody embodies this spirit better than Southychanh, the visionary behind the groundbreaking SmoknigAsian.com. Born from a fusion of traditional Southeast Asian culinary techniques and the classic American BBQ culture, SmokingAsian.com has rapidly become a go-to resource for those looking to explore the delicious possibilities that emerge when East meets West over smoking coals. This unique flavor profile is a direct result of meticulously blending traditional Asian spices and herbs with the classic slow-cooking and smoking techniques of American barbecue.