Tony Ramirez
Tony “Tone” Ramirez is the self-taught cook behind TFTI BBQ, sharing backyard barbecue recipes shaped by his Filipino and Cajun family traditions.
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Latest
Tony’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Harvard Common Press
YouTube
YouTubeOverview
- Also known as
- Tone and TFTI BBQ
- Roots
- Born in Charleston, South Carolina; raised in Northern California’s Bay Area
- Started posting
- 2021
- Cooking style
- Backyard barbecue with Filipino and Cajun influences
Mini bio
How it started.
Tony grew up around backyard gatherings in the Bay Area and remembers taking turns at his cousin’s barbecue pit as a teenager. He taught himself through BBQ Pitmasters reruns, YouTube and plenty of practice. His father cooked in the Navy, while his mother’s home cooking brought Louisiana and Filipino flavors to the table.
The invite.
He began posting barbecue content in 2021. The name TFTI means “Thanks For The Invite,” a joke from friends who saw his food posts and wondered where their invitations were. He told KCRW that his wife encouraged him by sending cooking videos while he was working at Meta. A viral TikTok a few months into posting helped turn the hobby into a career.
What fans come for.
His recipes carry family flavors into the backyard, from Cajun honey butter wings to Filipino chicken skewers and Dynamite Lumpia. “That’s Money!” is his signature way of saying the food is delicious. His cookbook, Backyard BBQ with Fire and Spice, was published by Harvard Common Press on May 6, 2025.
Creditschronological, newest first
Books
- 2025Backyard BBQ with Fire and SpiceAuthor
Video
Awards
- Melinda’s Wing Month 2024 Wing OffHoney Money Wings won the Wing Off, according to Melinda’s official recipe kit page.
- 2024 Open Fire Meat UpHoney Money Wings earned a podium finish, according to Melinda’s.
- Char-Griller Ambassador of the YearRecognized in the ambassador profile reproduced on his official site.
Quotes
I love the flavor of coals and the open fire flavor.Tony Ramirez, KCRW Good Food
Speaking with Evan Kleiman in June 2025 about why he prefers grilling wings.
Trivia
- TFTI began as a joke from friends commenting “thanks for the invite” on his food posts.
- His father was a cook in the Navy.
- His signature “That’s Money!” means the food is delicious.
- His Char-Griller profile lists camping and hosting backyard barbecues among his favorite activities.
Find Tony
Follow Tony for backyard cooks, new recipes and a familiar “That’s Money!”
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