“My wife trusted meat again after years of being a vegetarian. The least I could do was make sure what I put on it was worth trusting too.”
-BRAD PROSE
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The Story
Brad Prose has lived in Phoenix his entire life. He grew up grilling: backyard fires, simple food, the kind of cooking that brings people together without making a production of it. That foundation never left.
When Brad met his wife, she was a vegetarian. Over time — through his cooking, his recipes, and a lot of patience — she started eating meat. She’s particular about what goes into her food, and living with someone who reads every label has a way of changing your habits. Suddenly, the ingredient list on every rub and sauce in the pantry started looking a lot less acceptable. The Sonoran desert and its ingredients became the lens he cooked through: chiles, herbs, citrus, and smoke.
As a father of two, Brad started paying closer attention. What he found in the BBQ aisle wasn’t great: corn syrup, dextrose, preservatives, filler ingredients doing the work that real cooking should do.
So he built the line he actually wanted to use.
Real Fire. Real Food. Real Life.
Cookbooks & Credentials
Brad Prose is the author of two cookbooks and the creator of Smash Burger Tacos — a recipe that went globally viral and landed features in the Washington Post and on TODAY.com. In 2023 he took first place at the Four Peaks BBQ Competition.
Media & Press
- LIVE With Kelly & Mark – Coast to Coast Hometown BBQ: Brad Prose
- Washington Post – Smash burger tacos are a trending TikTok recipe worth making
- TODAY.com – Big Mac-style smash burger tacos go viral
- Popular Mechanics – The 6 Best Pellet Grills and Smokers
- Canvas Rebel Magazine – Meet Brad Prose
- BBQGuys – Born to Grill Stories: Meet Brad Prose
- Orange Country Register – Shishito gremolata is the perfect topping
Frequently Asked Questions
Mexican food. Living in Phoenix I’m surrounded by the culture and ingredients, making it easy to embrace the culture while still exploring new ways to present the food. My wife is from Mexico as well, and her culture is a big part of our life.
Brisket is probably the hardest to learn, but once you’ve learned the nuances it’s not that bad.
The Southwest creamed corn is a staple for our family, friends, and gatherings. It disappears faster than anything else, and it’s so easy to make. It’s one of the few recipes that’s both online and in my first cookbook.
Probably one of my most popular questions. Moderation is the answer! I’ve definitely had to focus more on calories in recent years to make sure my health doesn’t take a dive for the worst.
Work With Me
Chiles and Smoke has cultivated a dedicated readership by encouraging innovative approaches to grilling. Our strategy features brands using social media such as Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and more. We also create unique and exclusive content for brands to use on their own blogs, websites, and advertisement campaigns.
The most crucial aspect we consider in partnerships is the opportunity to connect with and provide value to our audience.
If you are interested in working with us, please reach out to [email protected].
