After working and traveling for over 20 years in the security and private protection field, Billy fulfilled a longtime dream by opening Hometown Bar-B-Que and Red Hook Tavern. Since opening Hometown and RHT Billy has been featured in national media such as Nightline, Good Morning America, The New York Times, The New Yorker, Bon Appetit, The Food Network, Cooking Channel and a variety of other major publications. He has made guest appearances and cooked at events and festivals across the world showcasing his specialized multi-ethnic brand of barbecue. In February 2019 he was nominated for a James Beard award for Best Chef: NYC.