Introduction
BBQ Dreamz was a popular food truck featured on Season 2 of Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race in 2011. The Kansas City-based team was made up of partners Amy Blackburn and Kelley James who aimed to bring delicious barbecue on the go. Though they didn’t win the competition, BBQ Dreamz gained a loyal following during their time on the show.
What Happened to BBQ Dreamz After The Great Food Truck Race?
After their run on The Great Food Truck Race ended, Amy and Kelley went back to Kansas City and continued operating BBQ Dreamz for a while. They built on the exposure from the show to book catering gigs and events around the area.
However, maintaining a food truck long-term proved unsustainable. Within a couple years of the show, Amy and Kelley decided to close BBQ Dreamz and part ways.
So what have they been up to since? Here’s an update on the former BBQ Dreamz partners today.
Amy Blackburn’s Endeavors After BBQ Dreamz
Amy Blackburn has continued her passion for barbecue in new ventures. She has worked as a consultant, helping companies develop retail barbecue sauces and seasonings.
Her latest endeavor is a barbecue catering business called “AmyCue,” serving Kansas City-style smoked meats. AmyCue caters events and parties with brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and all the classic barbecue fixings.
Amy is also active in Kansas City’s thriving barbecue community. She participates in local competitions, promotes barbecue culture, and works to bring greater recognition to Kansas City as America’s barbecue capital.
Kelley James’ Pursuits Since BBQ Dreamz
After BBQ Dreamz, Kelley James stepped away from professional cooking for a while. She switched gears and pursued a career in sales and business management.
However, Kelley couldn’t stay away from barbecue forever. In recent years, she has gotten back into the food industry, just in a different capacity.
Kelley is now a food broker focusing on barbecue sauces, seasonings, and other related products. She helps connect food manufacturers with retailers to get new barbecue brands on store shelves.
Her connections in the barbecue world and experience from BBQ Dreamz give Kelley unique insights into successful barbecue-based retail products. She is thriving in her new role bridging food companies with business opportunities.
Why BBQ Dreamz Didn’t Last Long-Term
BBQ Dreamz gained popularity quickly thanks to the exposure from a national TV show. However, the challenges of sustaining a food truck proved too much over time.
Here are some of the factors that likely contributed to BBQ Dreamz shutting down:
- Narrow focus: BBQ Dreamz only served barbecue, which limited their engagement. Expanding the menu could have brought in more customers.
- Seasonality: Barbecue is usually seen as warm-weather comfort food. Sales likely dropped off in colder months.
- Overhead costs: Keeping a food truck running, maintained, stocked, and licensed is expensive with narrow profit margins.
- Time commitment: Amy and Kelley had to work extremely long hours over a hot smoker to keep BBQ Dreamz going while also trying to manage normal lives.
- Partnership challenges: Running a small business with a partner is difficult. Different visions and goals may have ultimately forced Amy and Kelley to split.
While BBQ Dreamz couldn’t survive long-term, Amy and Kelley gained valuable experience and knowledge to drive future success in their separate ventures.
Amy and Kelley’s Lasting Legacy and Influence
Though short-lived, BBQ Dreamz left an impression and paved the way for future food trucks. Here are some of the lasting marks Amy and Kelley made:
- They helped show that creative, delicious barbecue food could be served from a truck, not just a restaurant.
- They brought greater attention to Kansas City’s barbecue traditions for a national audience.
- They exemplified perseverance and grit as a woman-owned business in a male-dominated industry.
- They inspired future competitors on The Great Food Truck Race and other food TV shows.
- Their partnership, despite not working out, highlighted how complementary skillsets could come together in a food truck.
- Kelley and Amy still serve as role models for aspiring female pitmasters and barbecue entrepreneurs.
BBQ Dreamz may be gone, but through hard work and hustle, Amy Blackburn and Kelley James made barbecue dreams come true, even if just for a little while. Their passion for smoky meats lives on today in KC’s thriving food scene.
Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Dreamz Today
Here are answers to some common questions people have about BBQ Dreamz’ status today:
Is the BBQ Dreamz food truck still operating?
No, BBQ Dreamz shut down a few years after appearing on The Great Food Truck Race in 2011. Partners Amy and Kelley closed the business due to the operational challenges.
Where is Kelley James now and what does she do?
After some time away from food, Kelley now works as a food broker specializing in barbecue products. She helps connect food companies to business opportunities.
What is Amy Blackburn doing today? Does she still work in barbecue?
Yes, Amy continues to pursue her barbecue passion through a catering business called AmyCue and by promoting Kansas City barbecue culture.
Did BBQ Dreamz ever open a restaurant?
No, BBQ Dreamz never expanded beyond a food truck operation before closing. Opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant could have been too costly.
Are Amy and Kelley still friends or partners today?
No, they went their separate ways professionally after closing BBQ Dreamz. They still respect one another though and continue supporting barbecue in Kansas City.
Conclusion
BBQ Dreamz gave Amy Blackburn and Kelley James their 15 minutes of food truck fame on The Great Food Truck Race. Though short-lived, their focus on barbecue traditions gained attention and influenced Kansas City’s food scene.
A decade later, Amy and Kelley have found new opportunities related to smoked meats. Their passion continues through AmyCue catering and Kelley’s work as a food broker. BBQ Dreamz as a food truck may have ended, but the partners’ barbecue dreams live on in different ways. Their story reminds that with determination, great taste can overcome operational challenges in the food business.