Barbecue season is officially here, and Dan Larocque of Sudbury knows how to make that sizzling steak or drumstick extra flavourful.
Dan, also known as Bucky, is the owner of Bucky’s BBQ Blend, a series of spice mixes that’s completely sugar free.
Larocque was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes six years ago which put a kink in his love of all things food.
“Cooking, grilling and smoking is my zen chill-out time,” he said. “Unfortunately using brown sugar, maple syrup and molasses was no longer in the cards so I had to reinvent the wheel.”
Larocque started experimenting with plain spices with basic ingredients he could easily pronounce and spell when realizing he was onto something.
By 2021, he found a certified spice mill to work with and was selling his two starter spices with three more blends being added to the collection later.
The series includes What’s the Dill, Spicy Eh, Regular, No Bagel and Lemon Pepper.
Larocque says the dill blend is by far the best seller and reception from the general public has been eye opening.
He says the all-natural, dry spices have a shelf life of four years and he adds it to all his meals including rice, ribs, wings, pulled pork, veggies, potatoes, popcorn and french fries.
Larocque adds it makes for a great sour cream based chip or vegetable dip when sprinkled in there too.
“When I tell customers that these blends don’t contain sugar, they are amazed,” he said. “Everyone knows someone touched by diabetes and it is evidently clear when you are chatting up customers at the markets and festivals.”
Local restaurants are also serving up the blends. Local Jerky Plus is making a pork jerky using the lemon pepper blend.
It’s also being used for drinks as a caesar rimmer, given the low sodium content. The Kouzzina, The Daventry and 84 Station have already caught on to What’s the Dill.
Elsewhere down south in Delhi, Twisted Chicken restaurant has picked up on Dan’s secret blends.
Lady Cobraa’s, a local sauce maker, is collaborating with Bucky’s to create some unique spicy sauce blends for its customers.
The spices have been popping up all over the province thanks to Dan’s two uncles.
Uncle Denis and André Larocque live in opposite areas of the province and are helping to market the products in their respective regions as far reaching as the Sioux Lookout grocery store.
Locally, the blends are available locally at select Home Hardwares, Durham and Paris Natural Foods, Ramakko’s, Cara’s, BOSS Supplements, select Superstore grocery stores, and the list goes on and on.
All this to say, Dan’s pastime is paying off. He has aspirations to one day commit to spices on a full time scale but in the meantime, he says he will balance it with his day job in the mining supply industry.
To learn more about Bucky’s BBQ Blend, visit the business’ website or Facebook page.
Anastasia Rioux is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat! is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
