Aaron Franklin

Birthday: December 17, 1977

Aaron is also the co-author of New York Times bestselling book, Franklin Barbecue, A Meat-Smoking Manifesto and Franklin Steak. Aaron’s interest in barbecue started with the backyard cookouts that he and Stacy Franklin, would throw. They had no idea what they were getting themselves into when they opened up a small barbecue trailer on the side of an Austin, Texas interstate in 2009. Today, crowds stand in line for hours for a taste of his mouth-watering brisket. Franklin Barbecue has been celebrated by everyone from Jimmy Kimmel to Anthony Bourdain to President Obama. Aaron is the recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Chef and has also been inducted into the American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame for 2020.