Meet Jeff Smith of By The Slab Catering LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Smith.

Jeff, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Born in rural Georgia in 1950. Jeff relocated to Lorain Ohio with his wife and two-year-old son and a suit case in search of a better and safer life,. Staying with in-laws he worked in his relatives cement company and had to choose between 4 industries of that time Ford.GM, gas company in electric company for work. Using his intuition he chose Ohio Edison in 1970, retiring from Ohio Edison in 2022! Jeff pursued many endeavors alongside his career including promoting the only rib burn-off at Midway Mall, Elyria Ohio, real estate sales and rental, his passion for BBQ in 1970. Serving friends and family, local events and competitions all over. Opening The Rib House in 1976 Lorain, Ohio for 7 years. Continued with mobile service and catering at various locations in Elyria/Lorain. Tapping into an open market, he launched his food truck ‘By The Slab Catering LLC’ with his newlywed in 2014. His passion for BBQ has been a respectable business and now a local staple in the community. Sharing the lost art of charcoal grilling and smoking his quality meats from scratch with all who appreciate good food cooked with love!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Growing up in the deep south before and during the civil rights movement Jeff has always persevered through every struggle to get the reward of success. He was raised by a single mother who taught him to judge a man by their character and not the color of their skin, advise that took him far while navigating the North! With support from his village comprised of grandparents and aunts and uncles, at five years Jeff and his 2 siblings worked in the cotton fields, pecan orchards to put food in the table. Working together as a family they were able to move themselves out of the projects. Jeff Smith was one of the first men of color to be employed at Ohio Edison, paving the way for so many others to have the same opportunity of a skilled trade. He trained and mentored men of all races until the day he retired. Through working many jobs alongside his full-time career of 50 years at Ohio Edison he’s always pursued his passions with excellence. He has had to beat the odds and overcome socioeconomic challenges to become the man that he is today. He is still giving back to his community, thru his generosity, active church member, he maintains a drug and prison ministry for men and is a staunch advocate for woman and mothers. He gives Christ all the honor for leading him and Devine protection and his faith is is anchor.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about By The Slab Catering LLC?
We are a Mobile food service Catering and serving our community from Griswold Rd. Elyria Oh, local events and festivals. We specialize soul food, slow smoked beef brisket and charcoal grilled bbq ribs from scratch with hours of labor and lots of love.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Jeff has always said I can do anything anyone else can if you give me the opportunity. if you give me the opportunity I will do it to the best of my ability and I will do it as well or better than you.