🔥 The Moment That Changed Joe Hire’s Barbecue Journey 🔥

The Cook That Changed Everything – A Snooties BBQ Story

As someone who’s stepped into the shoes of a legacy—taking the reins of Barbecue News Magazine from my husband Kell’s parents—I have a special place in my heart for second-generation barbecue stories. They carry with them a depth of meaning, responsibility, and passion that only those who’ve lived it can truly understand. That’s why the story of Joe Hire and Janet Studer of Snooties BBQ strikes such a chord.

In a recent YouTube Short titled “The Cook That Changed Everything,” (listen to it here) Joe shares a quiet but powerful moment from early in his journey. He speaks of a single cook—the one where everything finally made sense. Every pitmaster remembers that one unforgettable cook—the moment it all just clicked. But for Joe, it wasn’t just about mastering the fire. It was about honoring the legacy left behind by Janet’s father, Dennis Studer, the founder of Snooties BBQ.

Dennis launched Snooties in 2009 with the help of Beth Smith, Joe, Janet, and a loyal circle of friends and family. After his unexpected passing in 2010, it was Janet and Joe who stepped in—not just to keep the business going, but to carry forward a dream rooted in love, laughter, and great food.

That one cook, Joe says, was when it all came together—the purpose, the technique, the why. From that moment on, every rack of ribs, every smoked brisket, every bottle of their signature “WOW-BBQ” sauce has carried the weight and joy of that calling.

Today, Snooties BBQ operates from their location on Portland Road in Sandusky, Ohio. Joe and Janet aren’t chasing flashy growth—they’re investing in deep roots, in community, and in carrying on Dennis’s vision with pride.

Stories like this remind me why I love this industry so much. Barbecue isn’t just a business—it’s a legacy. And second-generation pitmasters like Joe and Janet are keeping that flame alive.