We recently had the chance to connect with Mercy Baron and have shared our conversation below.
Mercy, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
This is my first year serving on the board of the Ocean Beach Historical Society and I love it! Having been a professional archaeologist for many years, this is right up my alley.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
For the past 13 years I’ve been a professional food judge. I started out as a barbecue judge. By judging over 30 BBQ competitions and cooking with a team, I earned a Master BBQ certification. That led to judging the World Food Championships five times in addition to over 100 food festivals and competitions, most of them not BBQ related. This has led to consulting on restaurant dishes which is what currently keeps me very busy.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
My very early years to young adulthood was spent as a drummer and singer in many rock bands growing up in Hollywood. Or Hollyweird as I like to refer to it! Growing up in Laurel Cyn and my parents also being in the arts, led to many fascinating encounters with celebrities in our family and my personal life. I’ve actually had chapters written about me in a couple of books and in magazines about my friendships with famous drummers.
Before I decided to go to college to earn my degree in anthropology, I waited on tables in many restaurants and even became a manager at a large corporate chain.
Next came over 25 years as a professional archaeologist.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I was in the music business. Anything in the entertainment biz is a constant struggle and I wanted to give up many times! But you keep persevering because you’re hoping success will be around that next corner. Later I added acting to my resume and that just compounded the desire to succeed. I had pro managers and agents in both fields that signed me because they believed in me and that strengthened my faith in myself. I did some films that included working with Danny Trejo and Sean Young. Their encouraging words and friendships also gave me the chutzpah to carry on!
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m a second generation Ufologist. This is someone who has intrinsic knowledge of and a commitment to, educating the public on the fact that Unidentified Anamolus Phenomena (UAP) have been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years. My father was one and his experiences were very influential in my early life.
Our government has finally admitted that they have kept it from the general public for over 70 years. We’ve had two Congressional hearings over the last couple of years with government whistleblowers, top Naval commanders and high level government employees telling us what they know and have witnessed. Disclosure is something many of us want, yet we don’t need the government to tell us what we already know to be real. Next Congressional hearing coming in September and I couldn’t be more excited for that!
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I was a Renaissance woman. Whilst it might seem that I flitted from one career to another and that might be true to a certain extent, I was genuinely interested in those I did choose to pursue. I’ve always felt life is too short to stay in a job you either don’t enjoy going to everyday, or that doesn’t further your knowledge. There were so many different career paths that seemed interesting to me, that I decided to pursue them all!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @baronsbbqbeat
- Facebook: San Diego Food Fanatics
- Youtube: Mercy Baron
Image Credits
Chef Tim Eylens- TNT BBQ Catering
Chicken Charlie
Mike Rabinowitz-Marigold Bagels
