Octavius “Tay” Nelson grew up working beside his father and brother in a kitchen. While his dad cooked, Tay would wash dishes and do other projects to keep the restaurant running.
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Years later, after his dad and brother had passed away, Tay decided he would honor their legacy of bringing smiles through food! The only issue was he had no idea how to cook.
Instead of giving up, Tay began watching YouTube tutorials and figured out the basics. He also studied business ownership practices – and eventually released his own line of seasonings!
That was only the beginning though. After a few more years of online studying, Tay was able to open his own catering service.
He named the business Bobby’s BBQ after his late loved ones and provided countless people with delicious barbecue classics (using his signature seasonings, of course). By 2018, he and his wife Sarah expanded and opened a restaurant of their own in Fountain Inn, South Carolina.
The restaurant has provided jobs to more than 60 people in their community, and tens of thousands have flocked over to get a taste of Tay’s YouTube-trained cooking!
“I never pictured all this happening,”he said later. “You can dream but to see things fall into place is amazing.”
These days, he no longer needs YouTube to help him with his cooking skills, but he hasn’t forgotten his unique alma mater either.
He’s in the process of developing his own how-to videos for YouTube. He’s also working on a virtual culinary instruction program specifically for people who are incarcerated!
“I would say it’s God,” Tay added. “First, I ran from it, and then it was a hobby, and then it just fell in place. When you’re really doing what you’re supposed to be doing, it makes sense.”
What a beautiful way to honor his father and brother! Keep up the great work, Tay!
If you’re ever near Bobby’s BBQ in South Carolina, be sure to stop by! In the meantime, spread the word by sharing this story.
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