My Story
What’s good everybody? I’m Aaron “A.B.” Brown—family-taught from the kitchen and grill, and to the camera. I’m a cook, restauranteur, and content creator sharing real-deal, simplified cooking with over 3.7 million subscribers on YouTube and 2.1 million on Facebook. My channel leans heavy into Southern and Soul Food, because that’s where the heart is—but don’t get it twisted, Smokin’ and Grillin’ is my true passion. Whether it’s cast iron cooking’ in the kitchen or fire on the pit, I’m all about bringing flavor home.
Where the Journey Began
My culinary journey started long before the cameras, the grill, or the platform. It began with family—my great-grandmother’s love for feeding people, my grandmother and mother’s presence in the kitchen, and my grandfather’s foundation in barbecue.
As a kid, I spent summers and holidays alongside my grandmother, watching, learning, and helping wherever I could. What felt like simple family time became the foundation for everything I do today, from basic cooking techniques to baking and building confidence in the kitchen.
Outside, my grandfather taught me the art of barbecue. His patience, pride, and respect for the craft showed me that great food takes time, intention, and heart. That tradition is still with me every time I light the pit.
By the time I graduated high school, cooking was already part of who I was. My passion was rooted in family, tradition, and a lifelong love for bringing people together through food.
The idea for my YouTube cooking channel started as a challenge. Someone told me I wouldn’t do it—and that was all the motivation I needed. Back in the early days of YouTube, I talked for years about creating my own BBQ Sauce and sharing it with the world. Eventually, someone called me out and said I was all talk. Instead of backing down, I took action. I launched my channel and posted my first video within three weeks. From that moment on, there was no turning back.
Grab my official bio here.
Aaron “A.B.” Brown is a self-taught culinary creator, entrepreneur, published author, restaurateur, and the face behind Smokin and Grillin with AB, one of YouTube’s most influential food channels. With more than 3.7 million YouTube subscribers, 2.1 million Facebook followers, and over 1 billion views, Aaron has built a global audience by making cooking approachable, flavorful, and real.
Known for his relatable teaching style and signature mission of taking the mystery out of cooking, Aaron empowers everyday home cooks to build confidence in the kitchen. His love for food began in childhood, shaped by time spent cooking with his grandmother and strengthened by family traditions passed down through generations.
What started as a personal passion grew into Smokin and Grillin with AB, a trusted destination for simple, no-nonsense recipes, comfort food classics, holiday favorites, and restaurant-inspired copycat dishes. His content celebrates culture, seasonality, and authentic home cooking while encouraging viewers to bring their own personality to the kitchen.
Beyond digital media, Aaron’s culinary influence extends to his Las Vegas food truck, AB’s BBQ Fusion, where he serves his signature BBQ-infused Southern cuisine. As the creator behind the largest African American food-focused channel on YouTube, Aaron continues to educate, inspire, and connect with millions around the world through food that is accessible, flavorful, and real.
I Bet You Didn’t Know…
I bet you didn’t know, that when it comes to a seafood restaurant, Pappadeaux’s is hands down my favorite restaurant! Whether it’s their fresh Gator Bites, Blackened Catfish, and or Red Beans and Rice, flavorful dishes take me home with flavors and dishes like my grandma use to make and they always deliver an unforgettable dining experience. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out!
Cooking means the world to me. It’s opened doors, allowed me to meet incredible chefs, and taught me the science of food.
When you watch my videos, you can expect authenticity. What sets my channel apart from the rest is that I stay true to myself. I’m not trying to be anyone else. I embrace my own style and add unique elements like background music, which some people questioned at first. But I believe it adds a special touch to my content.
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