Hazleton welcomes a new addition to its culinary landscape as Bees Knees BBQ joins the Hazleton Kitchen Incubator. Founded by Lesley and Bob Cauley, Bees Knees BBQ brings the authentic flavors of Texas-style barbecue to the heart of Pennsylvania.

Lesley and Bob Cauley, both Hazleton natives, have always shared a passion for bringing people together through food. They’ve also always been interested in being business owners, but until recently, they didn’t know where to start. Fortunately, through the encouragement of friends and family, they realized the potential to express their creativity through food. Enter Bees Knees BBQ.

Bees Knees BBQ officially launched its delicious venture in May 2023, with the Cauleys realizing a long-held dream of sharing their passion for barbecue with the world. Bob's decade-long journey mastering the art of barbecue started as a backyard hobby and evolved into a full-fledged obsession. "Bob has been doing BBQ for over a decade now," shares Lesley. "It started as just a hobby, messing around in the yard, but grew into an obsession to master the craft and learn the science behind the how and why of making the meat."

Their food truck menu boasts classic Texas-style barbecue, featuring Beef Brisket, Pork, and Chicken BBQ, all infused with creative twists on traditional dishes.

Like many local business owners, deciding to embark on their entrepreneurial journey wasn't without its challenges. "Starting any new business can be overwhelming," she admits. However, with the support of organizations like the Hazleton Art League, CAN BE, and other members of THInC (The Hazleton Innovation Collaborative), navigating the complexities of paperwork and permits became more manageable.

The Cauleys first learned about the Hazleton Kitchen Incubator through a friend after they realized searching for their own kitchen wasn’t feasible. The Incubator offered the perfect solution for a mobile BBQ trailer like theirs. "Being a Mobile BBQ trailer, everything we do is fairly self-sustained... Having a full kitchen for prep and cleanup is truly a great thing that will make our workload a lot more manageable. It also allows us to experiment with different recipes and flavors in a professional kitchen environment," she said.

Mentorship and support played crucial roles in Bees Knees BBQ's success. From family members to community partners like the Team Tut Foundation and the Hazleton Art League, the Cauleys are grateful for the guidance they've received. "There are too many to name, but everyone we have come across has been amazing in offering support and help getting us started," Lesley acknowledges.

Looking ahead, Bees Knees BBQ hopes to expand their business and establish a brick-and-mortar restaurant. With the backing of the Hazleton Kitchen Incubator, their dreams are within reach. "We have no doubt that the Kitchen Incubator will help us reach our goals," affirms Lesley.

Bees Knees BBQ plans on reopening their operation for the summer season in May 2025. The Cauleys look forward to not only adding more food items to their menu, like mac and cheese and baked beans, but also hope to cater at more events in the new year. For updates on its upcoming events and culinary adventures, follow Bees Knees BBQ on Facebook and Instagram at @BeesKneesBBQ570.

 

For more information about the Hazleton Kitchen, the CAN BE Innovation Center, or starting a business within the Greater Hazleton Area, visit canbe.biz or contact Nico Makuta at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..