Dead Meat Society was born when our founder and CGO (Chief Grilling Officer), Jake Kouns, hit a crossroads. After years building a successful cybersecurity company, he found himself in a strange spot: no longer working for the company he founded, feeling directionless and increasingly disconnected.
While he was trying to figure out what was the next phase of his career, one ridiculous idea refused to leave his brain: a skull spatula.
It started as a fun product concept, but the more he thought about it, and through conversations with friends, grillers, and other founders, he realized a lot of people felt exactly like he did just with their own set of circumstances.
Jake was seeing more and more isolation (particularly with men), more doom-scrolling, more arguing about politics between people than ever before.
The pandemic didn’t create that feeling, but it supercharged it, and he noticed that it wasn’t just him feeling this way.
Instead of launching another tech/AI company, Jake made a different call. So Dead Meat Society was founded with a mission to become bigger than a skull spatula.
A community to bring grilling enthusiasts together to fight loneliness and feed our communities.
What started as one founder’s career pivot is now a growing movement, getting people back around the flame, where we’ve always belonged, and taking care of our communities.
Flame. Family. Community. Feed Everyone.
Proudly supporting
While he was trying to figure out what was the next phase of his career, one ridiculous idea refused to leave his brain: a skull spatula.
It started as a fun product concept, but the more he thought about it, and through conversations with friends, grillers, and other founders, he realized a lot of people felt exactly like he did just with their own set of circumstances.
Jake was seeing more and more isolation (particularly with men), more doom-scrolling, more arguing about politics between people than ever before.
The pandemic didn’t create that feeling, but it supercharged it, and he noticed that it wasn’t just him feeling this way.
Instachef
High-energy backyard chef serving up big DMS vibes, creative cooks, and regular tags that help spread the Society far and wide. Has the best taste tester ever helping to judge the cooks.
The Bearded BBQ
Beard, smoke, and serious flavor. A steady supporter who reps DMS gear and shares skull-powered cooks with his crew.
Kyle Walker
Family-focused griller who brings the DMS ethos home—cooking for his people, posting his setups, and repping the brand in real life.
Rusty
Known for bold cooks and a no-nonsense love of fire and meat, Rusty helps carry the DMS flag with regular posts and tags.
JMUBarry
DMS supporter from day one. Combines purple passion with flame and family, proudly repping the skull and sharing the story.
firegrillin365
Always on the grind (and the grill). Regular cooks, regular tags, and a consistent reminder that there’s always a reason to light it up.
theamericandad86
Classic American dad energy: family, food, and fun. Shares DMS-style cooks and shows how the skull fits right into everyday grilling life.
Gorilla Joe’s BBQ
Big flavors, big energy, and bold plates. Reps DMS in his feeds and cooks, helping bring more people into the Society.
Flame. Family. Community. Feed Everyone.
Join The DMS Movement
Chapters
We’re in the process of launching Dead Meat Society Chapters, small but mighty groups of grillers who want to bring the DMS vibe to their city, neighborhood, or town. We’re looking for people who want to be the ones to say, “Yeah, I’ll host. I’ll get the fire going.”
Create With DMS
join the society to find out what we’re cooking up
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