What is High School BBQ (HSBBQ)?

High School BBQ (HSBBQ) is a school-based, Career and Technical Education (CTE)–aligned program that uses barbecue, grilling, and live-fire cooking as a project-based learning platform to develop workforce skills, leadership, and career readiness for high school students.

HSBBQ is intentionally designed to operate:

• On school district property

• Under teacher leadership and supervision

• Within district-approved safety, instructional, and assessment frameworks

High School BBQ is not about trophies or entertainment.
It is about education, skill development, and student growth.

HSBBQ builds directly on the foundation established in Middle School BBQ (MSBBQ), creating a clear and intentional pipeline from early exposure to advanced mastery.

HSBBQ as a Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathway

High School BBQ functions as a capstone-level CTE experience, aligning with multiple career pathways, including:

• Culinary Arts

• Hospitality & Tourism

• Agriculture & Meat Science

• Food Science & Safety

• Business & Entrepreneurship

• Skilled Trades and Operations

Through HSBBQ, students apply classroom learning in real-world scenarios that mirror industry expectations. Cooking becomes the vehicle, but the outcome is career readiness.

Students learn how to:

• Plan, execute, and evaluate complex projects

• Follow standardized rules and procedures

• Manage time, resources, and equipment

• Work safely in high-responsibility environments

• Demonstrate accountability and professionalism

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Through HSBBQ

High School BBQ naturally embeds Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into every aspect of the program.

Students develop:

• Self-discipline and resilience

• Emotional regulation under pressure

• Responsibility for team outcomes

• Respect for rules, safety, and peers

• Confidence built through preparation and execution

HSBBQ places students in real leadership and problem-solving situations, where communication, composure, and decision-making matter.

These experiences cannot be replicated through worksheets or lectures—they must be lived.

Soft Skills & Workforce Readiness

HSBBQ intentionally develops soft skills employers demand:

• Teamwork and collaboration

• Communication and listening

• Time management and organization

• Adaptability and problem-solving

• Professional conduct and integrity

Students learn that success is not about individual performance alone—it is about how well a team works together, follows standards, and responds to challenges.

These skills transfer directly to:

• College environments

• Trade programs

• Military service

• The modern workforce

Leadership Development Through HSBBQ

High School BBQ is a leadership lab.

Students take on real roles such as:

• Team lead

• Safety officer

• Prep and operations lead

• Time and quality control lead

They learn to:

• Lead peers responsibly

• Make decisions under pressure

• Hold themselves and others accountable

• Represent their school and community with pride

Leadership in HSBBQ is earned through preparation, trust, and performance—not titles.

The MSBBQ → HSBBQ Pipeline

High School BBQ does not stand alone.
It is the next step in a structured educational pathway.

Middle School BBQ (MSBBQ)

• Ages 8–13

• Introduction to live-fire cooking

• Foundational safety and teamwork

• Exposure to careers and pathways

• Confidence-building through participation

High School BBQ (HSBBQ)

• Advanced skills and mastery

• CTE and STEM alignment

• Leadership and responsibility

• Career and workforce preparation

• Capstone competitions and assessments

Together, MSBBQ and HSBBQ create a continuous, school-based pipeline that grows with students over time—rather than restarting at each grade level.

Competition as Educational Assessment

In HSBBQ, competitions are not entertainment events—they are summative assessments.

They allow students to:

• Demonstrate learned skills

• Apply knowledge under real conditions

• Reflect on outcomes and improve

• Experience accountability and standards

All HSBBQ contests are hosted on school district property, reinforcing that competition is an extension of the classroom—not a departure from it.

Why Schools Choose High School BBQ (HSBBQ)

Schools choose HSBBQ because it:

• Aligns with CTE, STEM, and workforce goals

• Develops leadership and soft skills

• Supports SEL outcomes

• Engages students through hands-on learning

• Creates a clear middle-to-high school pathway

• Prepares students for life beyond graduation

High School BBQ is not about creating pitmasters.
It’s about creating capable, confident, and prepared young adults.

MSBBQ and HSBBQ don’t modify adult rules for schools.
They are purpose-built for schools from the ground up. We called it PROJECT BASTE LEARNING (PBL), LIVE FIRE LEARNING, and Middle School (MSBB) and High School BBQ (HSBBQ).