How J.Bone's Barbecue Came to Life
Jordan J. Mallari is a New Jersey native whose love for authentic Southern barbecue began during his time at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, where he frequently enjoyed lunch plates from B’s Barbecue and made special trips to the Skylight Inn in Ayden. After graduating, Jordan moved to Los Angeles to pursue a television career, and in 2009, his passion for barbecue came full circle when he was hired as a producer and director for the new series BBQ Pitmasters.
This role transformed his life in two significant ways: first, he met his future wife, Lindsay Freed, on set, and together they co-executive produced and directed the series. Second, he learned the intricacies of barbecue from world-renowned pitmasters like Tuffy Stone, Melissa Cookston, Myron Mixon, Aaron Franklin, and Chris Lilly. The show took him all over the U.S., exposing him to nearly every regional barbecue style, and within a year, he acquired his first offset smoker.
J.Bone's Barbecue
Jordan went on to produce and direct barbecue specials for CBS Sports and the Cooking Channel. His passion for barbecue continued to grow, and in 2015, he co-founded a Kansas City Barbeque Society competition team, J.Bone’s Barbecue, with his childhood best friends John and Mike, earning recognition for their efforts. After nearly 25 years in television, Jordan decided to turn his passion into a full-time venture. In December 2024, he will open J.Bone’s Barbecue in Westfield, NJ, where he will serve as owner and lead pitmaster.
