Ocala restaurateur Rashad Jones continues to solidify his status as a national culinary star after being featured as a judge on two major Food Network programs this month.

Jones, the owner of Ocala’s Big Lee’s BBQ, made history on Monday, May 11, during the premiere of the seventh season of BBQ Brawl. He returned to the competition as the first-ever former “brawler” and “Master of ‘Cue” to be invited back as a judge, a milestone he described as a truly historic moment.

During the season, he sits at the judges’ table alongside Carson Kressley and Chef Adrienne Cheatham to evaluate pitmasters led by team captains Bobby Flay, Maneet Chauhan, and Brooke Williamson.

Just days prior to his debut on BBQ Brawl, on Thursday, May 7, Jones appeared as a guest judge on Beat Bobby Flay in an episode titled “Brawlers vs. Bobby.”

Rashad Jones right tries food during Beat Bobby Flay
Jones (right) judges dishes during “Beat Bobby Flay”

The appearance was a full-circle moment for the Ocala businessman, who holds a perfect 2–0 competitive record against Flay.

Jones noted that while being the only barbecue chef in the world to be undefeated against the legendary chef was a major milestone, being invited back to judge was the ultimate honor.

Beyond the judges’ table, Jones’s culinary reach extended to the West Coast in late April when he traveled to Los Angeles to appear on Access Daily. During the broadcast, he cooked and served his award-winning wings to TV legend Mario Lopez, who praised the dish to his entire crew.

Rashad Jones right and Mario Lopez left during an appearance on Access Daily
Jones (right) cooks with Mario Lopez (left) during a segment on Access Daily

These recent appearances add to a long list of television credits for the Ocala mogul.

Last May, Jones co-hosted a segment of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri, highlighting a gourmet chicken sandwich shop in Gainesville. He has also previously served as a guest judge on Best Bite in Town, hosted Eat, Sleep, BBQ, and competed on Guy’s Grocery Games.

Jones opened his first brick-and-mortar location for Big Lee’s BBQ in Ocala in 2023, the same day he claimed one of his victories over Bobby Flay.

Share your words of encouragement and congratulations in a comment or letter to the editor to Rashad Jones for putting Big Lee’s BBQ and Ocala on the map.

For more information on Rashad Jones and his restaurant, visit Big Lee’s BBQ online.