Kent Whitaker

Southeast Tennessee

Kent Whitaker, also known as "The Deck Chef" has raised his down-home, Southern-style cooking to an art-form. “I like to do a bit more than burgers and dogs on the grill.”Kent is the author of several titles ranging from cookbooks, culinary history books, kids books and more.

Kent, and his wife Ally, also own TikiBeachShop.com Radio.

Kent's passion for cooking and enjoying good food has been part of his foodie professional life helping him with his work on TV, Radio, Print and as a celebrity spokesperson for a variety of companies. He has appeared on TV shows, and stations across the country including Food Network and Emeril Live where he won the Emeril Live Barbecue Contest.

Kent's books include:

  • Bullets and Bread - WWII Culinary History
  • The USS Alabama - The History of the Mighty A
  • Smoke in the Mountains The Art of Appalachian BBQ
  • Checkered Flag Cooking - Tailgating Stock Car Racing
  • Big Mo's Tennis Ball Hunt (Kids)
  • Why Are the Mountains Smokey (Kids)
  • The Tennessee Hometown Bookbook
  • The Georgia Hometown Cookbook
  • The Texas Hometown Cookbook
  • The Missississippi Cookbook
  • The Louisiana Hometown Cookbook
  • The South Carolina Hometown Cookbook (in Prod)
  • The Alaska Hometown Cookbook (in Prod)
  • The West Virginia Hometown Cookbook (in Prod)

TV, Magazines and Newspapers: Kent has appeared on the Food Network and other network television stations. He frequently hosts cooking classes throughout the South. He writes a cooking columns for newspapers and writes monthly articles for both The National Barbecue News and Tailgater Magazine.

Kent Whitaker Radio Network: Kent also hosts a weekly short format cooking show that is heard on over 50 affiliates across the country.

Big Moses: A dog-lover and advocate for local animal shelters and rescue organizations, Kent and his grilling buddy, Moses, are spokesperson and spokes dog for ALPO®. Kent
and Moses travel the country presenting grilling and cooking demos promoting the idea of including your canine family members in on the backyard grilling fun. Kent gives human grilling and cooking tips while Moses enjoys ALPO® dog food.

The Name: So how does a guy get a nickname like The Deck Chef? Get a deck, start buying grills and smokers like baseba