Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Kensinger.
Hi Justin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Meat Sweatz BBQ was established in 2022 and really started from my passion for backyard barbecue. I began by cooking BBQ in my backyard for friends and family, experimenting with different techniques, recipes, and flavors. Before long, people started asking me to cook for their events and gatherings, and through word of mouth, it continued to grow from there.
What started as simply doing backyard BBQ for friends and family has grown into a full-service catering business serving events throughout the Kansas City area. Today, Meat Sweatz BBQ caters everything from weddings and graduation parties to family get-togethers, corporate events, and Chiefs game celebrations.
It’s been exciting to see something that started as a personal passion grow into a business. At the end of the day, the goal is still the same as when I was cooking in my backyard — bring people together over great food and provide authentic Kansas City-style BBQ that helps make every event memorable.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest obstacles along the way has been learning how to transition from cooking barbecue as a hobby in my backyard to running an actual business. When you’re first starting out, there is a lot more involved than just making great food. I’ve had to learn about pricing, food costs, equipment, marketing, scheduling, and managing larger events.
Another challenge has been scaling up while maintaining consistency. It’s one thing to cook for a group of friends and family, but it’s another thing to make sure the same quality and flavor is delivered when you’re cooking for hundreds of people at a wedding or large event.
Like any new business, building a customer base and earning trust takes time. We’ve relied heavily on word of mouth and positive customer experiences to grow. There have definitely been challenges and learning experiences along the way, but each event has helped us get better and more confident in what we’re doing. Looking back, overcoming those obstacles has been a big part of what has helped Meat Sweatz BBQ grow into what it is today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Meat Sweatz BBQ is a veteran-owned, Kansas City-style BBQ catering company that specializes in bringing great food and a memorable experience to events of all sizes. We cater everything from weddings, graduation parties, corporate events, family gatherings, and private parties to game-day celebrations and large community events.
What sets us apart is the attention we put into every event. We started with a passion for backyard barbecue, and even as the business has grown, we have worked hard to maintain that same hands-on approach and quality. We believe great BBQ is about more than just the food — it’s about bringing people together and creating an experience people remember.
Another important part of our business is making great BBQ catering accessible for a variety of budgets. We understand that every event is different, which is why we work to structure our menu with flexible options that can accommodate everything from smaller family gatherings to large weddings and corporate events. We take pride in offering fair, transparent pricing and helping customers build a menu that fits their needs and budget without sacrificing the quality and experience that Meat Sweatz BBQ is known for.
We are known for authentic Kansas City-style barbecue, delicious smoked meats, mouth-watering side dishes, and making sure our customers feel confident that their food and catering needs are taken care of. Whether we’re serving a small family gathering or feeding a large crowd, we take pride in delivering the same level of quality and service.
Brand-wise, one of the things we’re most proud of is the reputation we’ve built through word of mouth and customer experiences. Seeing customers come back, recommend us to their friends and family, and leave five-star reviews means a lot because that’s how Meat Sweatz BBQ has continued to grow.
Ultimately, we want people to know that Meat Sweatz BBQ started as a passion and has grown into something we’re incredibly proud of. We’re grateful for every customer and every opportunity, and our goal is simple: serve great BBQ, provide great service, and help make every event memorable.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
It’s hard for me to choose just one favorite childhood memory because I feel incredibly blessed to have been surrounded by such a loving and encouraging family and amazing friends throughout my life. Some of my favorite memories are simply growing up with a great group of friends who were always together, whether we were outside playing, finding something fun to do, or just hanging out. Looking back, some of the best memories weren’t necessarily big trips or special occasions—they were the everyday moments spent with the people who made growing up so much fun. I’m grateful for the friendships, family, and experiences that have shaped me and given me so many great memories to look back on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meatsweatzbbq.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meatsweatzbbq_kc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeatSweatzBBQ
