We have all experienced the life-altering affects of the pandemic. In THIS INTERVIEW you’ll learn its toll on extravagant live fire cook Joel Scott.
Your favorite Griller Guy took time to answer our “2000 BC Q&A”, reflecting on his life before COVID-19 and how things have changed personally and professionally since.
Tell us what you miss most from life before COVID-19.
For me it’s the social gatherings with family and friends. I miss the bonfires, the cookouts, just enjoying time outdoors with the people that mean the most to me.
Where were you when you learned about COVID-19 and how did you respond?
I was at work on a Friday, and my employer asked me to take my laptop home “just in case” things started getting serious over the weekend. Still working from home ever since that infamous day.
What, for you, have been the personal and professional benefits, and setbacks, from the pandemic?
Because the pandemic has limited so many of the activities that I used to take for granted in everyday life, I had to find a new escape where I could spend my free time. I found this in grilling.
I started an IG account @grillerguy and found an absolutely wonderful group of people in a BBQ community online. I have made several friends all over the world through this, and I am blessed to now have partners that sponsor me in my endeavors. Cutlery, grill manufacturers, meat producers, rubs, sauces, charcoal, etc. This never would have happened had the pandemic not occurred.
Do you have faith in the vaccine?
I think it will help get us in the right direction. Time will tell, but my feeling is it can’t hurt.
Who do you talk to the most to keep your spirits up and help you stay optimistic?
First and foremost, family. After that, the network of friends that I have made in the BBQ community.
Has the pandemic caused you to value your life and the lives of others more than you did already?
It really has. I think my life before just seemed to be going by so fast, and I was just along for the ride of whatever each day required me to do. Now I make more of a conscious effort to value my time, and I realize how important it is to not just be along for the ride, but to choose the ride myself.
What about your immediate surroundings have you become more aware of?
That people, for the most part, are staying positive, and I feel like we are a team working together to do the best we can with this pandemic.
People seem to be more courteous everywhere I go. People aren’t cutting in line at the store like they used to, they offer to give you some space and cooperate. I think it’s great when a bad thing brings out the good in people.
What’s something that had to change because of the pandemic that you hope doesn’t change back once it’s over?
Flexibility from employers had to change because a lot of us had to work remotely. I think the last year has really changed how the concept of work is viewed. Employers can now see that productivity can be just as high, and sometimes even higher when an employee can work remotely. It helps morale when an employee has the flexibility to perform their work wherever they choose to. |THIS.
[By M.J. Walker]
