MEET ALONZO FIELDING. The Laney Walker corridor is a true staple in the history of Augusta and this is where I found myself meeting with Alonzo in the restaurant of Fielding Brothers BBQ. Meeting Alonzo is like meeting family; you are warmly embraced and very much welcomed. Just being able to sit and listen to the history of how Fielding Brothers BBQ Shack came into existence was like a history lesson in itself; the small beginnings and perseverance of its owners is beyond inspiring. Plus, the impact they have made in the Augusta area by being ‘Masters of the BBQ Pit’. The next time you are in this area stop by and tell them—we sent you.
QUESTIONS:
Q. What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A. Family Tradition. We’ve always cooked; I helped my dad cook and he always instilled within us to carry on the tradition of cooking #great food with our signature recipes. My great uncle was 105 when he died; he taught my dad and dad taught us. I always worked in manufacturing. My last employer was with Solo cup; I worked there for 10 years. When we learned a lay-off was going to occur; I decided it was the right moment for me to branch out on my own. I have always worked around food and barbeque and I wanted to cook. Fielding Brothers Barbeque.
Q. What is your favorite restaurant in Augusta, and what do you love there?
A. Longhorns; I love their steaks.
Q. How long have you lived or worked in Augusta?
A. 42 years
Q. Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Augusta? Who would you like to see nominated as a Face of Augusta?
A. Hawthorn Welcher. I see you have already met with him; a great interview.
Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A. Miami.
Q. What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?
A. The Equalizer. Boys in the Hood was probably the first movie I saw in a theatre
Q. What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A. Everybody has their own dreams; but, just because it’s not happening now. . .it will happen if you put your faith and belief behind it. Just put your dreams in prayer and place them in the hands of the Lord; trusting and believing by faith your dreams will come true. Dreams, you know, you got a lot of people who kill dreams of others; as long as you remain positive–your dream can happen–you’ve just gotta believe in it and yourself. I started on the side of the road with a couple of tables and other catering items; selling our BBQ. People used to say: “why are you on the side of the road all the time with a grill and a tent? My response, “it’s my dream”. This was the tradition that my mom and dad and great uncle instilled in us to start small and learn how to bring about a bigger vision into fruition. We went from tables and chairs and a tent on the side of the road to a food truck and now, a brick and mortar restaurant. Our first restaurant and this was just a dream.
Q. What is something on your bucket list?
A. Traveling to NYC. I have never been and I am excited to travel there.
Q. What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A. Gospel and R&B. Seeing Earth, Wind & Fire. The Commodores. James Brown and his Band.
Q. Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where in Augusta would you have lunch?
A. Oh, yes. I would have lunch with Mrs. Robbie Montgomery from the Sweetie Pies Soul Food restaurant in St. Louis. She reminds me of my mother and grandmother; how my grandmother did things. Her story is inspiring; she started with one plate and spoon at a time. She endured a lot and kept persevering through the storms of life.
Q. What is your favorite thing or something unique about Augusta?
A. Just being able to experience all of the different events here locally; especially, family events.
Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A. Opening more BBQ restaurants.
Q. (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A. I am a giver; I enjoy helping others.
Q. Can you describe the neighborhood you grew up in?
A. I was raised in a community where every adult took responsibility for the children within our community; they held us accountable for our behavior and there was immediate correction if deemed necessary…..and then, our parents were told. Coming from this type of community says something; we all grew into law-abiding & productive adults–simply, just good down-home people. I carry these values and character traits today; you can never discount people who are instrumental in your childhood development.
Q. What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A. Family. Tradition. History
Q. If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
A. Mike Epps. People are always telling me that I am always making them laugh.
Q. If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? {Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny} WHY?
A. Chef. Continuous learning is a key for me and I could learn more techniques & recipes by having my own personal chef.
Q. If you could hold on to one memory from your life forever, what would that be?
A. The fun times I had with my brother; my twin brother–he was just like me. We would go in and well, just have a lot of fun. Just him and I. Sometimes, I feel like I am missing a part of me and yet, he is with me always.
Q. Who has been the biggest influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?
A. My Father has been and is the biggest influence upon my life. There was a time when I experienced mental depression and he was the one that stayed with me through it all. He continuously pushed me and encouraged me to strive for better in my life; wellness. He told me something profound that I still remember today; “do what you’ve got to do to keep yourself standing on your own two feet”. Dad is still cooking today; he will pull up his chair near the grill ensuring the continuity of his legacy.
OUR FINAL QUESTION
Q. IF YOU COULD SHARE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A. Treat all people the same; because, you will never know when you might need their help.
Thank you Saseddrick. You made my experience easy and comfortable. To new beginnings. Friends for Life.
