ROB SOTTILE
@DADDIO_ON_THE_PATIO
🔥Backyard Cooking
♨️Blackstone Griddle Crew
🔥Sharing grilling tips, recipes & patio vibes
Q: WHEN DID YOU FIRST FALL IN LOVE WITH COOKING?
I’VE ALWAYS ENJOYED COOKING, BUT WHEN MY OLDEST WAS BORN IN 2020, THAT’S WHEN I REALLY FELL IN LOVE WITH IT. COOKING BECAME MORE THAN JUST MAKING FOOD—IT TURNED INTO A WAY TO CREATE MEMORIES AND BRING FAMILY TOGETHER.
Q: WHEN DID YOU HEAR ABOUT BLACKSTONE, AND WHEN DID YOU START COOKING ON ONE?
I WANTED TO VENTURE BEYOND JUST SMOKING MEAT, SO I STARTED RESEARCHING MY OPTIONS. EVERYWHERE I LOOKED, BLACKSTONE STOOD OUT FOR ITS VERSATILITY. EARLIER THIS YEAR, I FINALLY GOT MY FIRST ONE—AND NOW I FEEL LIKE I CAN COOK JUST ABOUT ANYTHING ON IT. I’VE BEEN HOOKED EVER SINCE.
Q: WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING AND HOW DID YOU GET STARTED DOING IT?
I’M A LIEUTENANT WITH FDNY EMS AND HAVE SERVED FOR 21 YEARS. MY JOURNEY STARTED AT 16 AS A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER, AND BY 21 I WAS HIRED IN THE CITY. IN JUST 4 YEARS I’LL BE ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE, AND WHEN THAT TIME COMES, I’D LOVE TO SHIFT MY MAIN FOCUS TO COOKING—MAYBE EVEN LAUNCH A FOOD TRUCK AS MY RETIREMENT GIG.
Q: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE NOT COOKING?
FAMILY TIME MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME. MY KIDS ARE JUST 4 AND 2, BUT IT ALREADY FEELS LIKE THEY’RE GROWING UP WAY TOO FAST—SO I’M DOING MY BEST TO SOAK IT ALL IN AND MAKE AS MANY MEMORIES AS POSSIBLE.
