'BBQ Pitmasters' TV Producer Opens J.Bones Barbeque In Westfield
WESTFIELD, NJ — A new traditional Barbecue restaurant and full-service catering called J.Bone’s Barbeque is opening in Westfield.
Pitmaster Jordan J. Mallari of Fanwood is hosting a grand opening on Friday at noon at 1117 South Ave W. in Westfield. J.Bone’s Barbecue is BYOB and is available for dine-in, take-out, and catering.
Mallari’s passion for barbecue, specifically authentic Southern barbecue, began while attending East Carolina University.
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After graduating, Mallari moved to Los Angeles to pursue a television career. That’s when he was hired as a producer and director for a new TV series on TLC called BBQ Pitmasters, which was later followed by producing roles for other barbecue series at CBS Sports and The Cooking Channel.
While producing the show, he was exposed to those competing on the show along with judges – who “were the best barbecuers in the world.”
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“It was like a nonstop education,” said Mallari to Patch. “As a producer, director, I would take these shows through post-production. So it’s like I’m reading every single recipe, comparing your recipe to this recipe, how you cooked it and how he cooked it, and telling a story about it, and trying to figure out what are those minute differences that might have made his better than his.”
Mallari also was exposed to famous barbeque judges who invited him to their cooking schools. He even learned techniques from world-renowned Pitmasters like Tuffy Stone, Melissa Cookston, Myron Mixon, Aaron Franklin, and Chris Lilly.
“It was like a crash course in barbecue, both from just everyday people who are competing on the show, who are talented, to our judges, who are experts, World Champions, the best barbecuers in the entire world,” said Mallari. “Hearing their comments and then learning about how they cook and then their styles.”
During the course of his television career, Mallari was able to travel all over the country – 49 of the 50 states. This allowed him to expand his knowledge and taste barbeque from everywhere.
“My barbecue isn’t like any singular style. My barbecue is really what I feel is the barbecue I like that I’ve tasted from around the nation, and I basically recreated it here,” said Mallari. I feel like Texas puts out the best brisket. So I smoked my brisket in a Texas style. My pulled pork is done in an Eastern Carolina style, which is a more vinegar base.”
Diners can expect fresh smoked meat to order such as brisket, pulled pork, turkey, ribs, smoked and fried wings, and more, paired with sides like mac and cheese, baked beans, potato salad, cornbread, and coleslaw.
Mallari’s wife Lindsay’s famous banana pudding is also available for dessert. He is also offering some surprise and delight items such as pulled pork or brisket egg rolls, and Texas Twinkies, among others.
“I’ve been a television producer. I worked around restaurants. I’ve told stories of people trying to make it in restaurants. You know, food competition shows, and so it’s very interesting to be on the side of actually trying to open up my own restaurant,” said Mallari. “It’s stressful. But, yeah, I’m super happy. I’m ready.”
For more information on J.Bone’s Barbeque visit jbonesbarbecue.com or follow on social @jbonesbarbecue.
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