Joe's passion for Virginia's food traditions led him to author the book Brunswick Stew: A Virginia Tradition. Joe is also the author of Virginia Barbecue: A History and the Virginia Barbecue Proclamation that unanimously passed as a House Joint Resolution in 2016 wherein it states, "Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, that the General Assembly designate May through October, in 2016 and in each succeeding year, as Virginia's official Barbecue Season."