TURNING FISHHEADS INTO 'SHEDHEDS': Barbecue legend expands to Destin

What started out as an odd hobby for Brad Orisson, has quickly turned into a nationally recognized barbecue franchise — and Destin is the latest community to join the party.

The former location of Destin City Hall and Capt. Kid’s is in the process of renovation, preparing for the mid-April opening of The Shed Barbeque and Blues Joint.

The original Shed is located in Ocean Springs, Miss., where Orrison and his sister, Brooke Orrison Lewis, began cooking up their version of a Southern staple almost a decade ago.

The Shed has become a national barbecue marvel, and Brad and Brooke have been spreading their product around the Gulf Coast, making the soon-to-open Destin location their sixth.

“This is a place that Brad and Brooke love,” said Meggin McPhee, marketing and events director for The Shed. “They had the opportunity to continue to grow and Destin was the perfect place.”

The creation of the original Shed was more of an evolution than a typical opening of a restaurant. While attending Ole Miss, Brad spent most of his out-of-class time rummaging through Dumpsters and garbage piles, collecting bits and pieces of hidden treasure that others had left as rubbish.

After graduation, he moved back home the to the Gulf Coast with his collection in tow and had an epiphany. He decided he was going to use his assortment to build a barbecue “joint.”

The Shed gained fame through its unusual construction and by encouraging customers to bring their own junk so that the Shed could become something that was created by the Ocean Springs community.

The Destin location will be much less rural than the original, so dropping off an abundance of garbage will not be possible. But Brad and Brooke look forward to becoming apart of the Destin community and encourage locals to ask about adding to the décor of the restaurant.

“We have great barbecue,” said McPhee. “And we’re going to have very impressive musical talent.”

The restaurant intends to focus much of its attention on Destin harbor and is already taking part in an upcoming cobia tournament.

The Shed has recently received national attention by continuing to climb up the rankings at the annual National BBQ Association Convention in Memphis, Tenn., and, more notably, through a feature on “Live with Regis and Kelly.”

Brad was featured in the Ultimate Hometown Grill Off where he served up dry rub with Shed Spred barbecue sauce. Brad and his scrumptious sandwich were able to win the competition with a grand prize of a spread in the March issue of Better Homes And Gardens.

The Shed has is ramping up for its first season in Destin. For more information or employment information email shedbbq@gmail.com.

“Destin needed an affordable place for families and locals,” said McPhee. “And we fit the niche quite nicely.”