|
| Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company celebrated its 30th anniversary on 1 December 2020. For father-daughter team John ('81) and Bishop ('18) Snedden, this milestone of their family business was personal as well as professional. "That was a real highlight, to be recognized by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, to be awarded a RAMMY for that… really, it seems like it's not possible that it's been 30 years," John remarked. Bishop added, "I'm only 25, so we always say that Rocklands is Dad's first baby!" |
| But Rocklands as an idea was born many years prior to its founding, in the yard of John's Philadelphia childhood home and in the heat of a mobile barbeque pit that he built with friends during high school. This interest in barbequing was nurtured by his time in Lexington. "When I was a student, four times a year, each class hosted a campus-wide social event at Zollman's Pavilion. They had three committees… and I jumped in on the pig roast committee, and I helped with that through my years at W&L." |
| Following his graduation, John was invited to an international barbeque cook-off in DC by one of his former housemates. This experience, combined with the robust W&L alumnae presence in the area, convinced him to relocate to DC permanently. His performance in the cook-off brought him a little recognition, and soon he was being asked to cater events. "One party led to two, led to three, led to four… over a period of four years until I decided I could make a living from it. I just never thought I could earn a living from barbequing." |
| In 1990, after seven years of catering, Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company opened its doors – named after Rocklands Farm in Lexington, where John lived during his undergraduate years. The company quickly grew in demand, in staff, and in popularity under the capable hands of John and his wife, Kimberly. Then, in 1993, John received a phone call from the White House, asking for menu suggestions for the Clintons' first State Dinner. John explained that "they were trying to assemble an 'American meal,' as it were, and so what we suggested was grilled, marinated Gulf shrimp with a horseradish mango chutney." Another landmark moment? Serving Julia Child Rocklands barbeque at a Smithsonian fundraiser event. |
| For a family business, personal and professional milestones often overlap. Following two years working abroad – one of which was in the restaurant industry, ensuring that she wanted to pursue a career in this field – Bishop returned to DC and Rocklands in summer 2020. This past fall, she completed her training and was promoted to her first management position. "It's really quite a blessing for us, that Bishop's other experiences led her back to us," John commented. Bishop jumped in with, "I think it's also good to know and very cool to say that I've never felt pressured to follow in my dad's footsteps. He never put it on me to go to W&L and never put it on me to join the family business. But it's been cool that our paths have been kind of parallel in that way, that we happen to really like the same things." |
| For Rocklands, the term 'family business' has a slightly different meaning. Bishop emphasized that "in the beginning, Rocklands was a very family-oriented ordeal. But it has now extended to a greater family. People who work at Rocklands stick around for years and years. So many of our employees have been here much longer than me, some for 15 or 20 years." |
| Even throughout the challenges that this pandemic has wrought – and for the restaurant industry, there are many – the Sneddens make clear that have been exceedingly blessed by their extended family: that of their employees, that of their customers, and that of W&L. "Not a week goes by that we don't see W&L people come in, whether they are wearing something with a trident on them, or they somehow recognize one of us even despite the facemasks, or they mention that they know that Rocklands is related to W&L," Bishop enthused. "I think my dad has known this for a really long time, but now that I'm working in the stores every day, it's great to be able to see that kind of support." |
| Rocklands is also dedicated to giving back to the communities which have contributed so much to their own success. Given the limitations of the past year, the company is working to support local causes through initiatives like "Giving Tuesdays." Once a month, the store employees choose a nonprofit and donate 15% of their daily sales to that cause. "We've been working with so many of these nonprofits for so many years. Since we can't do large events anymore, we're still trying to figure out ways to support them. It is tricky, but they still need help," Bishop stated. |
| Today, Rocklands operates three brick-and-mortar stores (Alexandria, Arlington, and DC proper) alongside a stall in Capitol One Arena and four food trucks. This past year has been very challenging for the restaurant industry, with many experiencing an unprecedented shift towards online business. For Rocklands, though the shift has been dramatic, it has not been altogether unfamiliar. As John explained, "fortunately, people know us for carryout and delivery, and we've done that from the very beginning of our business." |
| The next time that you're craving barbeque, don't hesitate to pick up (or have delivered!) an order of Rocklands' award-winning barbeque. |
| ~ Julie Ruth Malone '18 |
|
 |
|
|
