Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Ward.
Hi Kevin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was a kid, I always remember family meals as being something I always looked forward to. My Grandaddy loved cooking and working in his garden and sharing a meal with his family. I learned the love of food from him, from everything he grew to how he prepared it. I mean what kid these days looks forward to fried cornbread and potlikker as an afternoon snack.
I grew up in Watkinsville GA where BBQ was smoked hams over open pits chopped with a vinegar-based sauce, Brunswick stew (or just stew as we all call it) slaw, and chips with a couple of slices of white bread. Even though we offer so much more in our store, that is the meal that would best describe me.
I have always found my peace cooking, grilling, and smoking meats. I am in no way a chef nor have I ever had any formal training. I worked in the elevator industry for over 20 years. But every night and weekend, I would always look forward to preparing dinner for my family. In 2011, I was diagnosed with a genetic vision impairment and knew I would never be able to retire from my current career.
BBQ was my release from dealing with stress and day-to-day challenges. In 2016 with 3 XL Big Green Eggs, I started Four 41 South (named in the symbolism of where my family is from and where I grew up) as a catering business. My whole family has jumped in and worked to build what we have today. My son Sam who is 19 now has been learning this craft by my side since he was 13 and works with me and our other pitmaster Chad daily running pits and on the block slicing brisket and chopping pork to order.
As my Grandaddy used to tell me that he loved watching us enjoy the food he prepared. We love watching others celebrate and fellowship over a meal we prepared. Which led us to a food truck where we would set up at festivals and local spots and our own place that we simply self-proclaimed as The Lot. As my vision has progressed, it has led to me no longer being able to drive; we opened our Brick and Mortar in 2018.
Our style is traditional wood-fired pits using hickory and oak. Scratch-made sides and creative specials. I love my team and the creativeness that we get to share with our community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Running your own business, especially a food truck/restaurant is never easy. From the extreme lack of sleep from the long hours of producing high-quality barbeque. To the past couple of years of going through a pandemic, short staff, and supply issues. Not growing up in the food industry and not coming from the food industry background, we have kind of always gone against the grain of the norm which I feel sets us apart.
We’ve been impressed with Four 41 South BBQ Co., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Four 41 South BBQ is a locally-owned barbecue restaurant that is proud to serve people at our restaurant in Canton, Georgia.
What makes us different? We smoke our high-quality BBQ fresh daily, using our signature rubs and scratch-made sauces. We believe in doing things the right way which oftentimes means the hard way. Which is reflected in our amazing food. Our company started out catering, and we still provide high-quality barbecue for any private party or your biggest corporate event.
We have been fortunate to be named 2021 Best of Georgia’s BBQ Joint by The Georgia Business Journal, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 Around Canton Readers Choice Award for Best BBQ, People’s Choice Award winner at the Taste of Woodstock in April 2018, and our Quintessential White BBQ Sauce was voted #3 white sauce in the National BBQ Association. But our biggest accolade is having our community and customers fellowship around our tables.
We pride ourselves in creating barbeque as our granddad made.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My entire family is my biggest role model and cheerleader. They’ve helped me build this business along with not letting me give up when sometimes it gets unbearably hard. This is truly a family ran the business when your 19-year-old twins have learned so many valuable life lessons at such an early age, as they have been along for the ride of starting and running your own small business. They truly inspire me to be a better person and work harder towards goals as they do. As one day, I know they will build this business to more than I could have ever dreamed it would be. And my dad at 76 is really and truly my right hand since I am challenged with my vision impairment with certain tasks. At his age and time in life, we are supposed to be the ones helping them but he never hesitates and is always there to help whenever an emergency rises from broken hot water heaters to water leaks, to delivering catering or changing lightbulbs.
Contact Info:
- Email: kevin@four41south.com
- Website: https://www.four41south.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/four41south/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/four41south
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/four-41-south-bbq-canton-2
