Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Cook
Hi Samantha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From Passion to Business: The Smokin’ Sam’s Story
My journey with food started as a child. I then attended culinary school, where I earned my degree in Culinary Arts. After graduation, I worked in several restaurants, but I found my true passion running banquets at country clubs. That’s where I was introduced to smoking meats, and I immediately fell in love with the craft.
When I left the industry to focus on my growing family and had my twins, my love for smoking meats never faded. I spent years perfecting my rubs in my own backyard, constantly refining flavors and techniques. What started as a personal passion eventually became something much bigger—Smokin’ Sam’s Original Rub was born.
Encouraged by my husband and my father, I took a leap and started selling my rub under the Texas Cottage Law. Demand grew quickly, and within a year, I had outgrown what I could produce at home. To keep up, I partnered with a co-packer to scale production while ensuring my handcrafted flavors remained the same.
Now, Smokin’ Sam’s has expanded to four signature rubs: Original, Spicy, Old School, and Fajita Rub—each crafted to bring out the best in grilled, smoked, and home-cooked meals. But I’m not stopping there—new blends and an incredible BBQ glaze are on the horizon.
With the ability to sell nationwide and a plan to hit grocery store shelves soon, Smokin’ Sam’s is on the rise. What started as a backyard experiment has turned into a growing brand built on passion, flavor, and the love of great BBQ.
Stay tuned—there’s so much more to come!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting my company, Smokin’ Sam’s, has been both rewarding and challenging. Some aspects, like developing my unique dry rubs and selling at farmers’ markets, came naturally. However, about six months in, I faced one of my biggest obstacles—our home flooded. I lost all my product and suddenly had no place to live, let alone run a business. It was a devastating moment, but it also forced me to make a pivotal decision.
That’s when I decided to move beyond Texas cottage laws and shift my focus to selling online. While I still attend events around the metroplex, my priority is growing my online presence. This transition hasn’t been easy—I’ve had to navigate the complexities of digital marketing and figure out how to get my website in front of the right customers. Finding the best marketing techniques for my business has been a learning process, but I’m committed to growing every day. Despite the struggles, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. Each challenge has made me more determined to build a brand that customers love and trust.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Smokin’ Sam’s?
I’m a stay-at-home mom of twins and the founder of Smokin’ Sam’s. I started this company out of my passion for smoking meats and my desire to offer people high-quality, flavorful rubs without unnecessary dyes and chemicals. I’ve worked hard to keep my ingredients clean—my brown sugar rubs contain only an anti-caking agent, and that’s it.
At Smokin’ Sam’s, I create dry rubs designed for both smoking and grilling. I’m especially proud of my Old School rub, which has become my top seller. It’s an all-purpose blend that makes seasoning effortless, whether you’re in the kitchen, on the grill, or using a smoker.
I currently offer four distinct rubs: Spicy, Original, Old School, and Fajita. My Spicy and Original rubs shine on the smoker, thanks to their rich brown sugar base, while my Fajita and Old School rubs are incredibly versatile, perfect for any cooking method. My goal is simple—to help people create amazing flavors with high-quality, preservative-free seasonings.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
It’s hard to pick just one, but many of my favorite childhood memories revolve around my dad, Jeff Murray, teaching me how to grill. As my passion for cooking grew, so did his, and it became something special we shared. He not only taught me the fundamentals of grilling but also supported me as I pursued my love for cooking in high school. He and my mom were my biggest cheerleaders, especially when I started competing in culinary competitions. Those moments—learning, practicing, and celebrating together—are memories I will always cherish. They played a huge role in shaping my love for food and ultimately led me to start my own company.
Pricing:
- All my Small bags (8 oz) are $10
- all my large bags (16 oz) are $16
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.smokinsamsdryrubs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokin.sams.dry.rubs/?next=%2F&hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079947308928
Image Credits
All photos are from Nina Derrick
