Hey y’all — I’m so glad you’re here.

I’m David, the cook, writer, and sauce-stained napkin collector behind Smoke, Spice, and Soul. This blog started after a trip to New Orleans where I tasted grilled oysters that literally stopped me in my tracks. They weren’t just good — they felt like music, like home, like a story I needed to tell.

That one bite reminded me that food is more than flavor — it’s culture, memory, and connection.

Smoke, Spice, and Soul is my way of honoring those dishes that are bold, soulful, and born from tradition. Whether it’s the smoky, lacquered crust of slow-cooked ribs fresh off the pit, the golden crunch of perfectly seasoned fried chicken that crackles with every bite, or a fire-grilled ribeye seared to perfection over open flame — juices sizzling, edges charred just right — I’m here to share the recipes and the rich, soulful stories behind them. This is the kind of food that wraps around your senses, sticks to your memory like a favorite song, and carries with it the warmth of tradition, the rhythm of culture, and the unmistakable flavor of something made with heart.

Here, you’ll find:

• Recipes with love — flavorful, approachable, and always made with heart

• Travel-inspired eats from my favorite food cities

• A little storytelling, a lot of butter, and the occasional kitchen fail

If you love food with flavor and feeling, you’re in the right place.

So welcome to my table — grab a seat, pass the hot sauce, and let’s eat.

With soul,

DL