Smokin' For the Holmes Team

It’s not often that you get two competing businesses together for a singular cause. But a positive, fun loving 5-year-old boy with brain cancer has done just that.
This Saturday, April 11, Home Team BBQ will team up with fellow West Ashley barbecue restaurant Swig & Swine to host “Smokin’ For The Holmes Team,” from 3-6 p.m. to raise money for The Holmes Team, a charity created by the Clare and Dave Desmelik to raise money for the exorbitant hospital bills associated with their son’s condition.
Holmes has been diagnosed with a Glial Fibrillary Astrocytoma brain tumor, and due to his age and size, they are unable to operate. His story has reached far beyond his hometown of Brevard, NC, with fundraisers popping up all over the southeast. It was through mutual friends in Atlanta that Home Team BBQ executive chef Taylor Garrigan heard about Holmes and knew immediately that he had to do something to help.
According to Home Team pitmaster and owner Aaron Siegel, Garrigan brought the idea back to the rest of the Home Team family and everyone jumped on board. Catering and events manager Hope Cleveland borrowed tables form her son’s school so children can draw and paint during the event. And since Holmes is a big super hero fan, she also took old comic books and made cones out of them for tater tots for the kids. Siegel says there will be a lot of children’s activities and food just for them.
“Children are a huge thing for us,” says Siegel. “I have two small kids at home, so this hits us pretty good.” Last year Home Team participated in Hogs for the Cause, which provides aid and relief of those variable expenses and economic burdens which families face while their child is being treated for pediatric brain cancer. So Smokin’ For Holmes is just another extension of this mission for Siegel and the rest of the Home Team staff.
Others in the community have chipped in too. Garrigan got most of the food for the event donated. And when Home Team approached fellow local pitmaster Anthony DiBernardo, owner of Swig & Swine BBQ in West Ashley, about participating in the fundraiser, he didn’t hesitate. “I told those guys a couple months ago to call me if there was an opportunity to get together and cook with them. They called. I answered,” said DiBernardo.
For Siegel and DiBernardo a little friendly competition is just that, friendly. The two pitmasters clearly have respect for one another and that’s why Siegel says it’s not surprising for the two competing West Ashley barbecue places to join forces on something like this.
“In the bbq industry peope feel like you have to be competitive with each other. But I say, ‘the more the merrier. All good ships rise with the tide.’” Says Siegel. “[DiBernardo] does what he does and we do what we do. We love what he’s doing over there and he inspires us.”
For the Smokin’ For the Holmes Team event, Home Team BBQ and Swig & Swine will be joining efforts on a “smoked” menu including brisket, beef ribs, and sides. Coast Brewery will be serving beer. The event will feature live music by Underhill Rose, a silent auction, and superhero themed kids’ activities in honor of Holmes. There will also be a kid’s menu of hot dogs, tater tots, and macaroni and cheese.
Smokin’ For the Holmes Team will be held Saturday, April 11 from 3-6 p.m. at Home Team BBQ, located at 1205 Ashley River Road. To purchase tickets, visit charleston.strangertickets.com/events/23724227/smokin-for-the-holmes-team