Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Wilson.
Hi Josh, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Barbecue has always been a part of our lives—weekends spent around the pit, perfecting flavors, and sharing meals with family and friends. This passion for cooking led to encouragement from loved ones who suggested we take our skills to local cookoffs.
In 2019, Josh Wilson and Andrew Farrell officially entered the competition scene as County Line Cookers, a name reflecting the fact that we each lived in different counties. Our dedication to the craft quickly earned us recognition, placing well in competitions and establishing a strong presence on the barbecue circuit.
Building on that success, we expanded beyond competitions, launching a catering and popup business while continuing to work full time. Corporate events, school functions, church gatherings, and youth athletic programs became a platform for us to showcase our award-winning barbecue. Our main focus was and still is to provide the best barbecue while offering the highest level of customer service.
Along the way, we were honored to receive support from incredible sponsors, who helped grow our brand throughout Harris and Fort Bend counties. Their partnership, combined with our commitment to quality and authentic flavors, has allowed us to share our love for barbecue with a broader audience.
Now, as we move forward, we are excited to take the next step—introducing our own line of seasonings and sauces. With these new offerings, we aim to bring the signature flavors of County Line Cookers into kitchens everywhere, allowing others to experience the same passion and craftsmanship that started it all.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Creating County Line Cookers was no simple task. Entering a competitive barbecue market was tough, but growing a business while juggling full-time jobs and raising kids made the journey even more challenging.
Late nights, early mornings, and long hours went into refining our craft. We put a lot of time into planning popups and ensuring we delivered top-quality food. Finding the right balance between family life and business meant careful time management, sacrifice, and relying on the support of loved ones.
Despite the hurdles, our passion for barbecue has kept us moving forward, and the encouragement from sponsors and the community has been invaluable.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I (Josh Wilson) work in the software and gaming industry. The company I work for specializes in providing software to retail energy companies. My title is director of operations. The gaming side of the business is based around a board game that our owner created. We spent years going to gaming conventions to sell this game and the lore behind it. Being involved with that industry was amazing. I was able to meet so many artists and game creators who had a genuine passion for what they did. My focus is and always has been customer service. I believe it is one of the biggest factors in keeping a business alive. Being able to understand what a customer needs and being able to provide those needs in a timely manner is one thing that I am proud of. I aim to bring this high level of customer service into the catering world because, if you are not able to keep your customers happy, your reputation and business will collapse.
Andrew Farrell: As a procurement manager for a leading rectifier manufacturer, I specialize in cost forecasting and strategic savings. Stepping into this role, I was able to immediately reduce costs across the board while optimizing spending to ensure smooth production. One of my biggest strengths is keeping inventory well-stocked without overspending, ensuring operations never slow down. My background in sales gives me a unique edge—understanding both sides of the process allows me to negotiate effectively and secure the best value for the company.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I believe the barbecue industry will keep growing in the next 5-10 years. Texas is known for its love of barbecue, and there are always adjustments to be made at competitions. People keep coming up with unique recipes that blow the minds of those who eat it. I think the biggest change we may see is in the price of barbecue due to the constantly shifting price of meat. I also believe that barbecue is going to keep growing in states where it is not as popular. Thanks to all of the amazing information we can gather online or on YouTube, the secrets are out. Anyone can make good barbecue, but it’s all about how much love you put into it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://countylinecookers.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/countylinecookers
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CountylineCookersTX
