Ashland, Mississipippi
Growing up in Mississippi, cooking over an open flame is a lifestyle that Heath Riles grew to embrace. And he continues to smoke the competition...leading the only team in the nation to win Grand Champion in a dual-sanctioned Memphis BBQ Network and Kansas City Barbeque Society contest. When he’s not traveling the circuit, Heath’s firing up the grill, perfecting his cooking techniques, or growing his business, Heath Riles BBQ, that offers the rubs and sauces his legacy is built on.
What are the three most essential things you need to cook?
Fire, meat, and seasoning.
Where’s your favourite place to barbecue?
My favourite place to barbecue is at home in my backyard, but I also love cooking at BBQ contests against other people.
If there’s any love-hate relationship with an aspect of what you do, can you describe what that is?
Traveling so much...I love to be at home, but I also love to travel.
How do you up your game, year after year?
Develop new recipes and cooking techniques to be a better cook and a better mentor.
What part of you, or what you do, reflects a spirit of restlessness?
Change always makes me restless...no matter the circumstance.
If you could do anything better, what would it be?
Learn more about computers (they are my weakness).
Who are your heroes? And who do you look up to?
Pioneers in our industry like Pat Burke, Mike Mills, Dave Anderson, and Dave ‘Sweet Baby Ray’ Raymond...I also looked up to my grandmother for my entire life.
If you could bring anybody in the world (dead or alive) to barbecue with you, who would it be?
My grandmother because her love for cooking ran deep.
Tell us your favourite story from a day of barbecuing?
Winning Grand Champion in both portions of a dual-sanctioned Memphis BBQ Network and Kansas City Barbeque Society contest was a great feeling...and one of my favourite stories.
What sound or noise do you love?
When you’re sitting in a hunting blind...the sound of ducks coming in as they breeze by you.
What would be your day job, if you weren’t doing what you’re currently doing?
Some type of sales job(I used to be in the beer business).
What does YETI mean to you?
Toughness and durability...no matter what.
How would you explain what YETI represents?
It’s a top-quality product that you can always depend on. I handle thousands of dollars’ worth of meat and I can always count on YETI to keep it cold and protected...the durability is outstanding.
What does it mean to be built for the wild?
Being able to handle anything that’s thrown at you.
Where’s your favourite place to barbecue?
My favourite place to barbecue is at home in my backyard, but I also love cooking at BBQ contests against other people.
If there’s any love-hate relationship with an aspect of what you do, can you describe what that is?
Traveling so much...I love to be at home, but I also love to travel.
How do you up your game, year after year?
Develop new recipes and cooking techniques to be a better cook and a better mentor.
What part of you, or what you do, reflects a spirit of restlessness?
Change always makes me restless...no matter the circumstance.
If you could do anything better, what would it be?
Learn more about computers (they are my weakness).
Who are your heroes? And who do you look up to?
Pioneers in our industry like Pat Burke, Mike Mills, Dave Anderson, and Dave ‘Sweet Baby Ray’ Raymond...I also looked up to my grandmother for my entire life.
If you could bring anybody in the world (dead or alive) to barbecue with you, who would it be?
My grandmother because her love for cooking ran deep.
Tell us your favourite story from a day of barbecuing?
Winning Grand Champion in both portions of a dual-sanctioned Memphis BBQ Network and Kansas City Barbeque Society contest was a great feeling...and one of my favourite stories.
What sound or noise do you love?
When you’re sitting in a hunting blind...the sound of ducks coming in as they breeze by you.
What would be your day job, if you weren’t doing what you’re currently doing?
Some type of sales job(I used to be in the beer business).
What does YETI mean to you?
Toughness and durability...no matter what.
How would you explain what YETI represents?
It’s a top-quality product that you can always depend on. I handle thousands of dollars’ worth of meat and I can always count on YETI to keep it cold and protected...the durability is outstanding.
What does it mean to be built for the wild?
Being able to handle anything that’s thrown at you.
What’s the one YETI product that you can’t do without?
How do you use the Tundra® 105 Hard Cooler in your market?
Keeps all my meats cold when I am traveling to contests.
What’s your one favourite aspect or feature of the Tundra® 105 Hard Cooler?
Being able to lock my coolers, so no one can get in them when I’m traveling.
Which other YETI products do you use?
I use almost everything they make...Rambler® 30 oz. Tumbler, LoadOut® GoBox™...bags, coolers, dog beds, dog bowls —you name it —we use it in our home.
How has the Rambler® 30 oz. Tumbler changed what you do, or how you do it?
I used to drink (at least) 40 bottles of water per week...now I refill my Rambler® 30 oz. Tumbler with ice and filtered water...keeps things fresh and cold for so much longer.