Carey Bringle, owner and award-winning pitmaster of Peg Leg Porker in Nashville, Tenn., is a trailblazer in the food and beverage space, epitomizing the idea of doing what you love and loving what you do. Receiving prestigious accolades for his premium BBQ and sterling brands, Bringle embodies the grit it takes to surpass your dreams while creating a lasting legacy.
Where It All Began
The Bringles settled in West Tennessee back in 1827. Bringle was surrounded by old-fashioned, smoky barbecue throughout his upbringing, which gave him impeccable taste from the jump. Bringle’s grandfather, Dr. Carey Bringle Sr., roasted whole hogs for the community, which were the centerpiece of some of Bringle’s fondest childhood memories.
Bringle was mentored in competitive barbecue by his uncle, Bruce, who competed in the first Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest in 1976. Today, Bringle carries on the tradition, having participated in this “Super Bowl of Swine” for decades, winning a slew of prizes to prove his prodigious talents. Working alongside his family, Bringle’s appreciation for authentic Southern BBQ grew throughout his youth–until he was thrown an unexpected curveball.
At age 17, he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer. After enduring multiple rounds of intensive chemotherapy, Bringle emerged victorious in his battle against cancer, but he lost his leg in the process. Rather than letting this tragedy break or define him, he used it to forge his unwavering work ethic and fuel his dreams. Vowing to live life abundantly, Bringle was ready to pursue new adventures with friends, family, and great food by his side.
Peg Leg Porker Makes Its Mark
Bringle’s passion for a good meal shared with even better company led to the launch of his first restaurant, Peg Leg Porker (named after himself!) in 2013, which is located in Nashville’s Gulch neighborhood at 903 Gleaves Street. Immediately upon its opening, Peg Leg Porker started building a reputation for excellence and garnering widespread coverage in national outlets like GQ, Bon Appétit, Southern Living, and Travel + Leisure, to name just a few, with Cooking with Paula Deen magazine naming it one of the “Top 10 BBQ Joints in the U.S.”
As the creator of this must-visit spot in Music City, Bringle himself became something of a TV star, featured on a long list of shows featured on a long list of shows, including BBQ Brawl, Chopped: Grill Masters, Bizarre Foods America, BBQ Crawl, Hungry Brothers, and Moonshiners: Smoke Ring. He was also a guest on the documentary Ali Eats America, bonding with the host over their shared cancer diagnosis.
Over the years, the Peg Leg Porker brand has expanded in multiple ways, with its line of food products–now available in over 1800 stores–brand merchandise, and professional-grade smokers. Quite notably, in 2014, Peg Leg Porker Spirits was born, making Bringle the first pitmaster to create and own a whiskey brand. Since its inception, the distinctive collection of bourbons certainly didn’t go unnoticed and began racking up award after award, year after year. In fact, at the 2023 Tasting Alliance World Championship, Bringle’s White Label Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey was named the “World’s Best Bourbon.”
Pushing the Limits
The food and beverage industry was hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Bringle was up for the challenge. With his customary resilience and progressive vision, he not only didn’t put the brakes on, but he opened his second restaurant concept, Bringle’s Smoking Oasis, in 2021. The menu features Bringle’s classic smoked meats with a decidedly Southwestern flair in housemade items such as jalapeño cheddar sausage, Mexican street corn, and chorizo queso.
After its opening, Bringle’s Smoking Oasis, like Peg Leg Porker before it, gained significant traction and recognition from numerous media channels, such as Eater Nashville, Southern Living, and Matador Network.
Then, in 2022, Bringle branched out even further with his third eatery, Pig Star, conveniently located in the Nashville International Airport so that travelers on their way into or out of this foodie town can enjoy a hearty down-home meal and a signature Bringle’s cocktail.
Carrying on a Lasting Legacy
The way Bringle sees it, the best is yet to come for the legacy he’s poured his heart into. He’s always thinking about ways to impact his industry positively, and he is never short on fresh ideas, like the Peg Leg Porker Spirits blending and bottling facility that he most recently opened, complete with a tasting room and bottle shop for locals and visitors alike.
Though Bringle has cooked at the illustrious James Beard House three times, underneath all the accolades and attention, he’s a humble family man, active community member, cancer research fundraiser, and proud Nashvillian. He’s known for skillfully leading and inspiring his staff, collaborating with peers, and treating everyone he meets with dignity and respect.
Carey Bringle’s extraordinary career is about so much more than world-renowned smoked meat. It’s about honoring your word to yourself and others, making your dreams come true, and earning a name for yourself based on fierce determination and quiet fortitude. Remember his name. It’s legendary.
