James Beard Award Nominee, Pitmaster, full time employee at Giddings ISD, proud daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend …and did we mention today she turns the young age of 85. Meet Tootsie Tomanetz, a woman of many talents with so much love for life. She stays forever humble with her success in the barbecue game. She’s a woman of strong faith and strong family values.
We would like to start off by saying “Happy 85th Birthday Tootsie!”
I had the pleasure of visiting with Miss Tootsie over the phone for about an hour the week before her big day. Her story about being a Pitmaster at Snow’s BBQ in Lexington, Texas is well documented. Today, we’d like to tell a story more about the dynamic woman behind the pits, and not so much about the famed bbq tale. She’s lived a life worth living and she has new doors opening up everyday. I especially enjoyed our conversation about her Faith and her special relationship with her community. She is grounded in the things that matter the most. She doesn’t “do” social media, so don’t go searching to “friend” her on Facebook, but if you Google “Tootsie of Snows BBQ” you’ll have endless pages and stories about this “Queen of Texas BBQ” to fill your quarantined days.
We hope however you can, you’ll send a “Happy Birthday” out there into the universe today. Somehow I just know she will receive the love sent from wherever you are. A Very Happy Birthday Miss Tootsie! From all of us!
Name: Norma Francis aka “Tootsie” Tomanetz
Restaurant: Snow's BBQ
Age: 85
Tootsie Tomanetz - Snow’s BBQ. Photo By: Wyatt McSpadden
Tell me a little bit about where you are from and where you grew up? “I was born about 3 miles east of Lexington, Texas on a farm. I’m the oldest of 3 children. We raised corn, cotton, maize, peanuts, cattle and hogs. My Daddy farmed with a team of mules. When I was old enough I would run the mules and drive the tractor when we eventually got one. I graduated from Lexington High School in 1953.”
What did your parents do? What influence did they have on you in becomingthe woman you are today? “My father was a farmer. My Mother would keep the garden up. I’d work the farm with my father and help in the garden too. We did a lot of canning and preserving vegetables for winter use since we didn’t have a freezer. We didn’t have electricity until 1942. I remember having to do all of my school work, like reading and math, right when I got home before it got dark out. In 1942 we got electricity. We worked hard. My parents always instilled that in us. Hard work was just the way.”
Did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up? “Not really but nursing was something I thought about, but I wasn't really fond of school. I just loved being outdoors. I was always an outdoor person. You can take the girl out of the Country, but you can't take the Country out of the girl"
Tell me about your husband. It sounds like you had a wonderful life together. “I married my husband “White”, Edward was his real name, in 1956. He was a veteran who’d been stationed in Alaska during the Korean conflict. We had a wonderful life together and three children, Patricia, Dale, and Hershel.”
Tell me a little bit about Snows BBQ and how it all came to be. How did it get started and what makes it such a special place? “In 1966 Mr. Doyle, owner of City Meat Market in Giddings, was short handed at the market where my husband worked (Edward “White” Tomanetz.) That’s where I learned to cook on the pits and I also worked the fresh meat counter. I worked the pits and counter there for 10 years and then Mr. Doyle bought the Meat Market in Lexington and he asked me to run it. A year later “White” and I bought the market from Mr. Doyle. We ran the market during the week and whatever meat didn’t sell we would barbecue for Saturday. So we just did the Barbecue on Saturdays. When my husband had a stroke we were forced to sell the business we had run for 20 years. The Snow’s BBQ start came to be years after Kerry “Snow” Bexley first approached me about the idea to open the bbq business by the old Peanut Mill. I had an obligation to the new owners of the market to keep cooking there, and then when another ownership pass was happening the stars aligned so I called up Kerry to let him know I was available if he still wanted to open a bbq place. Snow’s BBQ opened March 1, 2003. Its been such a great experience ever since.”
To read a more in depth story about the history of Tootsie’s journey cooking bbq and working in the family meat market business written by Daniel Vaughn BBQ Editor for Texas Monthly Magazine click here.
What do you think people might not know about the day in the life of Tootsie. “I enjoy my school family and my church family as well. I still work full time for Giddings ISD. I try to just put everything in "Gods hand" which has allowed all of these things in my life to all be possible. When one door closes, another door opens if you just allow it.”
Tootsie sharing hugs with a friend in Lexington - Photo: By Wyatt McSpadden
What do you do for fun? Staying active, being around people, and going to church. I love going out to dinner with the ladies. I like to keep a low profile for the most part. I like to watch the Hallmark Channel when I do watch any Television.
If you were going to give one piece of advice to a young person who wanted to get into the business of barbecue or just "food" in general, what would that be?
“I would say no matter what it is you are wanting to do, find something you enjoy doing. Make it a passion project and one you enjoy. Don’t do something you don't enjoy getting up for. Do your best and if you can get a smile on somebodys face, then its a job well done. I know not everyone can go to college, but you can get a job and make the best of whatever job you have. Put out a good days work, and don't just draw a paycheck. Make yourself useful to get those paychecks.”
When you actually get the chance...what do you do for fun with girlfriends or a "Night Out?" In Giddings we frequent El Charro T Mexican Just down the road sometimes we’ll go to Carmine, Texas to JW Steakhouse.
Do you have a Favorite Musician? “I like “Old Timey” Country Western music. Ernest Tubb. I listen to George Strait. We’re getting away from the “Old Timey” Country Western these days, but each generation has their own songs.”
If you were to empty out your purse on the table right now, what would we find? Not much of anything. “Its rare I carry a handbag but you would find a few BBQ business cards from folks I meet, some change, not much of anything. I’m usually wearing my blue jeans and carry just my billfold to work with my license, insurance cards, and some change.”
Tootsie in front of Snow’s BBQ in Lexington, Texas. Photo By: Wyatt McSpadden
Is there a local or national charitable cause that you support and would like more people to be aware of?” I’m very active in my local Church which I try to support the most and our cemetery association that receives very little money. I donate to Wreaths Across America that supports purchasing wreaths to place on the grave sites of our passed Veterans during the month of December. Its a wonderful way to honor our Veterans.”
We are visiting right now during the time of the Covid-19 closures, and Snow’s is not currently open, are there any other ways that we might be able to direct our readers about supporting the business right now? “We are currently shipping nationwide right now which you can order online via The Snow’s BBQ Website Clay Cowgill (Pitmaster at Snow’s) is up there cooking twice a week and I’m cooking one day a week right now to get the meats smoked so they can ship them out.”
We end each interview with a piece we can share from your kitchen to the reader’s home kitchen. Think of it as sharing a recipe card from one good friend to another. What is a favorite recipe you like to share from your home kitchen when you are entertaining with friends and family?
Broccoli, Cheese, & Rice Casserole
“If we ever have any get togethers my daughter likes me to cook a good Broccoli, Cheese, and Rice Casserole.” ~Tootsie
Ingredients:
6 cups fresh broccoli cut into bite sized pieces
2 cups cooked white rice
For The Sauce
3 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup onion diced
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon each garlic & black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
salt to taste
3 tablespoons cream cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook onion and butter on medium-low heat until softened. Stir in flour, garlic powder and pepper. Cook an 2 more minutes.
Pour in milk while whisking. Whisk over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and add dry mustard, paprika, cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese. Stir until melted.
Place broccoli in boiling water for about 2 minutes. You still want it slightly crisp as it cooks more in the oven.
Stir together rice, broccoli and cheese sauce. Place in a greased 2 qt casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese and bake 35 minutes or until bubbly and cheese lightly browned.
We hope that you will join us today and send a big Birthday Wish out there into the universe for Miss Tootsie. I know the folks at Snow’s had a big celebration planned for her, which means we’ll just have to do it at a later date in a bigger most amazing way. I’m thankful for my visit with Ms Tootsie this past week as it lifted my spirits just visiting over the phone with her. Spread some sunshine where you can right now. I know she’s doing all she can right now to do the same.
Be Well!
Till Next Time,
Catherine Stiles
Thank you to Wyatt McSpadden for the beautiful portrait photography of Miss Tootsie. You can follow all of our adventures and mishaps through this BBQ adventure at @barbecuewife
The last time we were together. Catherine, Tootsie, Kim Bexley at TMBBQ Fest 2019