Sound Bites: Gina Neely talks food, family and SmokeSlam

By , Daily Memphian Updated: September 20, 2025 4:29 PM CT | Published: May 10, 2025 4:00 AM CT

Restaurant review site Yelp released a poll this week naming Memphis fourth on its list of “best barbecue cities,” and Gina Neely does not agree.

“Memphis is the barbecue capital. They come here and steal our secrets,” she said. “No. 4 doesn’t even make sense when we’re giving you the juice.”

Neely is the guest on this week’s “Sound Bites.” In addition to riffing on what makes good barbecue and why Memphis is No. 1 on her list, Neely and I discussed the upcoming SmokeSlam barbecue competition.


Big & Rich, The Revivalists to play SmokeSlam


The contest is May 15-17 at Tom Lee Park Downtown. Neely will return for a second year as celebrity guest and VIP host.

Those with VIP tickets have access to a private two-level tent with bar, seating and restroom amenities plus hang-time with barbecue celebs — like Neely and pit-master Melissa Cookston — and lots of barbecue samples.

If that $81 (plus tax) per day ticket seems steep, don’t worry. Neely and I also discuss what the $35 general-admission ticket includes. Hint: At least 10 grills full of food samples going all three days.

We also talk about her favorite meals to cook at home and where she likes to dine out in Memphis, her definition of a craft cocktail and what’s next for her career.

“For me, food was just the foundation because it has a way of bringing people together. So I love talking about how food can affect relationships,” she said on the podcast.

Neely shares a few family stories and talks about how her priorities have changed since her days hosting “Down Home With the Neelys” on the Food Network. 

Listen for the full interview. 

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Editor’s note: Kevin McEniry — a member of the board of Memphis Fourth Estate, the nonprofit that owns and operates The Daily Memphian — is founder and master producer of the Mempho Festival and Mempho Presents, the organization behind SmokeSlam.

Topics

Sound Bites Gina Neely
Holly Whitfield

Holly Whitfield

Holly has more than 13 years of experience in publishing and digital content, including 10 years at the helm of the I Love Memphis Blog. She began her career at The Commercial Appeal and is author of Secret Memphis.


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