Cameron Brooks- Continuing the Legacy
By Tabitha Ervin,
Editorial Director
Many of us have heard the phenomenal story of the Brooks BBQ and the history of the family business in the Fort Wayne community. If you haven’t, here’s a reminder of the details:
Brooks BBQ & Chicken launched in 1966 as the first Black-owned barbecue restaurant in Fort Wayne and a forerunner to today’s food trucks, bringing lunches to workers at the General Electric factory. Now the fourth-generation owner Cameron Brooks continues to use his great-grandmother’s recipes to make award-winning sauces and lovingly charcoal-grilled ribs, turkey tips and fried chicken dipped in their famous vinegar BBQ sauce, and favorite soulful sides like greens, mac-and-cheese and baked beans.
I was able to recently catch up with Cam in between cooking, getting ready to move into his storefront at Electric Works Union Street Market and traveling as a part of his participation in the Kingsford Preserve the Pit Fellowship. The Fellowship program is Kingfords’ commitment to celebrating Black BBQ and culture around the country. Cam has been paired with Pat Neely as his mentor throughout the almost 6 month program. Neely, is the co-owner of Neely’s BBQ restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee as well as an author and tv personality on Down Home with the Neely’s and Road Tasted with the Neely’s both formerly on Food Network.
Cam shared with me that he talks to Neely weekly as he gets ready to open his first restaurant and those conversations include advice on techniques, how to handle customer volume, quality and more. He has also been coaching Cam on how to be an owner of his business and not always doing every single part of the work. Cam also attended the International World BBQ event with over 250 vendors and he was able to attend meetings, do a few interviews and cook for the Kingsford team who loved his ribs!
I asked Cam how he found out about this program and he shared, “several people sent it to me on Facebook and my dad did as well. I looked into it and thought it might be a good idea to apply so I did.”
Cam shared that there were over 2000 applications and they selected 5 to participate in the full program and 3 others who just received a grant. The program runs until October.
Ervin: Cam I am so excited to catch up so thanks for your time today!
All the things you’ve been up to are awesome and I’m so happy for you!
So when does everything start happening at Union Street Market and tell me about the process?
Brooks: We are slated to open Oct 2022 but we get to start moving in as soon as next month. I applied to be a part of the project in early 2022 and got selected but I had to keep it quiet for a few months. I was so excited when I received news that we got a spot in this new project!
I realized, as this happened, that every experience I’ve had to this point that I saw as a failure has prepared me for this moment. From catering, to a store we had briefly, to cooking from home and the food truck… I think about all of the challenges and frustrations and I know they all happened for a reason now.
Ervin: That’s such an amazing reflection and thanks for sharing that! We all need that kind of encouragement when it comes to reflecting on what we would consider failures in our lives. So how are you feeling with everything that’s happening?
Brooks: I feel excited and nervous. This is life-changing for me and my family and I have dreamed about this moment for so long. I have prayed to continue to grow my business and keep moving on this generational blessing for my family. I always wanted to work for myself and I knew I had something to offer to the world once I found my place. I am thankful that my Big Ma got us started and I am blessed to be able to realize this dream for my family. I have grown so much over the past few years and I listen more and I’ve learned to ask for help when I need it.
I have already started to see the blessings as we’ve been able to cater for some of the other new businesses that will open in the new Electric Works space.
Ervin: This is so awesome! So what else do people need to know and how do they contact you?
Brooks: We will be looking to hire more staff by August so be on the lookout for that! Follow me on social media to see where the food truck will be daily through the summer. And we will be adding new menu items once the store opens.
Official Brooks BBQ on Instagram
Brooks BBQ on Facebook
CamB_Official on Instagram
Ervin: Thanks again for your time Cam and big congratulations to you and the family!
