Kevin Bludso | |
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Born | 1965 (age 58–59) Compton, California, U.S. |
Culinary career | |
Cooking style | American |
Current restaurant(s)
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Previous restaurant(s)
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Television show(s) |
Kevin Bludso (born 1965) is an American chef, restaurateur, and television personality.
Bludso was born in 1965 in Compton, California.[1] His father was a police officer at the Los Angeles Police Department; his mother was a postal service worker.[2] While on summer vacation, Bludso lived with his aunt, Willie Mae Fields, in Corsicana, Texas.[3] Fields introduced him to Texas-style barbecue; at the age of 9 or 10, Bludso was allowed to help with the cooking. He studied business at the Dallas-based Bishop College.[4]
Prior to entering the food industry, Bludso worked as a correctional officer for thirteen years.[4] He opened Bludso's BBQ in 2008, serving as its pitmaster.[5] Based in Compton, the restaurant shut down in September 2016, following a dispute with the landlord. Bludso also owns restaurants in Hollywood and Melbourne, Australia.[6] Since 2020, Bludso serves as a judge on the Netflix series The American Barbecue Showdown.[3]
As of September 2020, Bludso resides in Texas. He is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.[3]
Restaurant | Location | Date opened | Date closed |
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Bludso's BBQ[7] | Compton, California | 2008[8] | September 2016[6] |
Bludso's Bar & Que[7] | Hollywood, California | 2013[8] | |
Bludso's Bar-B-Que[9] | The Proud Bird Food Bazaar, California | 2017[10] | |
Bludso's BBQ[11][12] | Banc of California Stadium, California | 2018[13] |
Restaurant | Location | Date opened | Date closed |
---|---|---|---|
San Antone[14] | Crown Melbourne, Southbank, Victoria | November 10, 2015[15] | June 25, 2023 |