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ORAL HISTORY
Tommy Leonard Hughes
In Horn Lake, Mississippi, less than ten miles south of Memphis, Tommy Leonard Hughes—a fourth generation barbecuer—carries on the family legacy. Mr. Hughes is the grandson of Leonard Heuberger the founder of Memphis’ famous Leonard’s Pit Barbecue, where he began working for the family in 1955 at the age of twelve. He now sells an approximation of his grandfather’s barbecue sandwich and hot sauces, and his grandmother’s spaghetti that Leonard’s once served. Though his grandfather did not live to see his grandson’s own barbecue restaurant, Tommy knows that he would be proud.