Danny Dobrzenski

From Family Meals to Backyard BBQ

My Journey as a Lifelong Foodie

I'm a lifelong foodie who aspires to create the tastiest dishes and recipes for others to recreate. However, it hasn't always been this way...

I grew up cooking with my family, helping to prepare family meals. I've always been described as a "good eater," meaning I rarely leave food on my plate at the end of a meal.

Having spent the majority of my adult life in the great state of Texas, I learned about great BBQ. I set out to create the best BBQ my friends and family had ever eaten in my backyard, and I've been 'cooking in the yard' ever since.

Hometown:: Oklahoma City, OK
Favorite Recipe:: Texas Style Brisket
Fun Fact:: I was on an episode of Total Request Live with Carson Daly in 2002
Favorite Activity:: Hanging with family

FAVORITE GRILL

Masterbuilt Product of Choice

Masterbuilt Gravity Series 800

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An open Gravity Series 800 with the top warming rack covered in asparagus spears, the lower warming rack holding ears of corn on the cob, and the main grill grate holding 2 roasts

Featured Recipe

Hawaiian Punch Pulled Pork

Hawaiian Punch Pulled Pork, made on the Masterbuilt Gravity Series® 800, is a fun twist on a classic. The pork is slow-cooked until it's tender and packed with the sweet and tangy flavors of a Hawaiian Punch marinade.

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Mastering the Grill: Q&A with Danny Dobrzenski

What inspired you to start barbecuing?: I’ve always been a huge fan of BBQ, and living in Central Texas gave me access to some of the best in the world. But with 4-5 hour wait times at some places, I decided it was time to learn how to make it myself. I figured with some practice, I could come close to replicating what the pros were doing.
How long have you been barbecuing?: It’s been about 15 years now. I took up BBQ as a hobby and never looked back. It started as a way to enjoy my favorite foods without the long wait and turned into a passion.
What’s the best advice you’d give to someone new to grilling?: Practice, practice, practice. You’ll probably burn a few things in the beginning—that’s normal. Focus on progress, not perfection. Every cook, even the ones that go wrong, teaches you something.
Do you have any advice for someone starting out as a BBQ content creator?: Start simple, be consistent, and don’t stress over perfection. Share your progress honestly, even the missteps. Viewers appreciate realness and seeing how you grow as a pitmaster.
What’s your favorite grilling technique?: Reverse sear, hands down! I love thick-cut steaks, and the reverse sear technique gives them that ideal crust with a perfect pink center. It’s a game-changer for steak lovers.
What’s your favorite recipe to make?: Brisket, for sure. Every brisket is unique, so each cook is a new challenge. You have to stay engaged and rely on your instincts and experience to get it right. It’s a labor of love, and I enjoy every minute of it.