After serving 12 years in the military and facing personal challenges that included a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 2021 and the ongoing battle with anxiety and depression, I found myself at a crossroads. My turning point wasn't marked by grand gestures but by a simple, mundane frustration: the bananas that perpetually ripened too quickly on my counter. Determined to waste no more, I ventured into the kitchen to bake banana bread. This small act of taking control sparked a curiosity in me, a desire to create and nurture.

Cooking quickly became more than a pastime; it was a lifeline pulling me back from the edges of my struggles. When an old, rusted propane grill I had ignored for years finally gave way, a friend's recommendation led me to purchase a pellet grill. It was here, amidst the wisps of smoke and the warmth of the fire, that I found peace, focus, and a burgeoning passion for BBQ.

Initially, it wasn’t much more than a learning experience and a way to get my daughters to try different foods. Our shared moments by the grill became precious, a new avenue to connect and grow. However, a turning point came when a fellow service member, subsisting on their third pizza for the week and clearly struggling, opened my eyes to a broader need. Offering to smoke them chicken for the week wasn't just an act of kindness; it was a revelation. Just like that, the potential for my passion to fill a void became crystal clear. It was more than feeding; it was healing, sharing, and connecting on a deeper level.

The story doesn’t end there though, nor does it truly begin. My journey took another turn on June 10, 2023, reminding me that personal evolution is ongoing. Confronting my relationship with alcohol, I leaned into BBQ as my sanctuary, finding solace in the rhythmic dance of smoke and flame. Each meal prepared, shared, and savored became a marker of progress, not just toward sobriety but toward a life rich with purpose and connection.

Today, my mission is simple yet profound: to make each meal better than the last, one cook at a time. It's a journey of continuous improvement, not just in the quality of the food but in the quality of life. Through Smoked, Sealed, Delivered, I share not just the flavors I've painstakingly perfected but a piece of my journey, hoping to inspire and uplift others. Every dish tells a story of resilience, of finding beauty and purpose in the process, and of the redemptive power of sharing something as simple, yet profound, as a meal.

Gene Metshin, Founder