Kevin Bludso
American chef, entrepreneur, and television personality
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kevin Bludso (born 1965) is an American chef, restaurateur, and television personality.
Kevin Bludso | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1965 (age 60–61) Compton, California, U.S. |
| Culinary career | |
| Cooking style | American |
Current restaurants
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Previous restaurant
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Television show | |
Early life
Bludso was born in 1965 in Compton, California.[1] His father was a police officer at the Los Angeles Police Department; his mother was a postal service worker.[2] While on summer vacation, Bludso lived with his aunt, Willie Mae Fields, in Corsicana, Texas.[3] Fields introduced him to Texas-style barbecue; at the age of 9 or 10, Bludso was allowed to help with the cooking. He studied business at the Dallas-based Bishop College.[4]
Career
Prior to entering the food industry, Bludso worked as a correctional officer for thirteen years.[4] He opened Bludso's BBQ in 2008, serving as its pitmaster.[5] Based in Compton, the restaurant shut down in September 2016, following a dispute with the landlord. Bludso also owns restaurants in Hollywood and Melbourne, Australia.[6] Since 2020, Bludso serves as a judge on the Netflix series The American Barbecue Showdown.[3]
Personal life
As of September 2020, Bludso resides in Texas. He is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.[3]
Restaurants owned by Bludso
United States
Australia
| Restaurant | Location | Date opened | Date closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antone[14] | Crown Melbourne, Southbank, Victoria | November 10, 2015[15] | June 25, 2023 |
Television appearances
- Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (2013, 2023)
- Bar Rescue (2015 - present)
- Fire Masters (2019)
- BBQ Brawl (2019)
- The American Barbecue Showdown (2020-Present)