John Henry grew up in East Texas and ran the culinary program for the Houston Community College System. I met him at my first barbecue trade show, fourteen years ago, and fell for his products and his big personality on the spot.

Pecan Rub is his number-one seller, and it's one of my favorite pecan rubs. It's sweet and savory with a smoky pecan-wood flavor, so it gives oven cooking a smoked taste, too.

Pork, ribs, chicken and fish.

Buttery: Butter Pecan. Maple: Sugar Maple.