The Hands behind Carolina Craft
Chris and Amy are the husband-and-wife team behind Carolina Craft Barbeque. While Chris can usually be found tending the smoker, perfecting recipes, and serving up the slow-smoked barbecue that started it all, Amy loves building relationships with the people they meet along the way. Whether she's chatting with customers at the truck, helping coordinate events, or catching up with familiar faces, she enjoys hearing the stories and life updates that turn customers into friends.
Together, they share a passion for great food, genuine hospitality, and creating experiences that bring people together. From community events and family gatherings to weddings and celebrations, Chris and Amy are grateful for every opportunity to serve their neighbors and share their craft with others.
The Heart behind Carolina Craft
Carolina Craft Barbeque is more than a food truck to us—it's the story of a dream, God's faithfulness, and a lot of trust in His timing.
For years, Chris talked about starting a barbecue business. It was something he dreamed about, researched, and planned for, but life always seemed to have other plans. To be honest, I (Amy) wasn't nearly as excited about the idea in the beginning. It felt like a big dream with a lot of unknowns.
Everything changed in January of 2024.
After experiencing two blood clots and being reminded just how precious and fragile life can be, I found myself looking at things differently. Life is short, and sometimes God places dreams on our hearts for a reason. For the first time, I felt a desire to pursue this dream alongside Chris.
Not long after that, I learned I was going to be laid off from my job. While most people would have felt fear and uncertainty, I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of peace. We truly believed God was leading us somewhere, even though we couldn't yet see where.
Our original plan was simple. We were going to start small with a tent setup and a smoker. We worked through the details, made plans, and started the process, only to be met with obstacle after obstacle. Every time we thought we were getting close, another inspection, regulation, or requirement seemed to close the door.
At the time, it was frustrating.
Looking back now, we can see that those weren't "no's" at all—they were "not yet's."
In March, we received a call from someone looking to sell a food truck they had purchased just a few months earlier. The truck had already been inspected and approved. Suddenly, all of those closed doors made sense. God had a better plan than the one we were trying to force.
As the business began to grow, Chris wondered how he could continue working full-time while keeping up with the opportunities coming our way. We had always planned for Carolina Craft Barbeque to be a side business. Then, at just the right time, his employer offered a schedule change that freed up Friday afternoons. What seemed like a small adjustment created the perfect opportunity to serve lunch events and begin growing the business.
Before long, we both felt God leading us toward something even bigger.
Chris felt called to take a leap of faith and step away from his full-time job to pursue Carolina Craft Barbeque full-time. It wasn't a decision we took lightly, but we knew it was time.
Since then, we haven't spent a single day worrying about whether God would provide. We've watched Him open doors, create opportunities, and place incredible people in our path. This business has never just been about barbecue. It's about using the gifts God has given us, serving others well, and trusting Him with the outcome.
Today, we're honored to serve communities throughout the Carolinas with slow-smoked, wood-fired barbecue. Whether we're serving lunch from the food truck, catering a wedding, or feeding families at a local event, our goal is simple: serve great food, treat people like family, and give God the glory every step of the way.
Thank you for supporting our family, our dream, and Carolina Craft Barbeque.
— Chris & Amy