The annual series of competitive barbecue cooking is now in full swing in Eastern North Carolina with three contests set for the coming weekend, including large gatherings in Greenville and Raleigh expected to draw thousands of pork barbecue lovers.
When Barbecue and Bluegrass Collide
Bluegrass music fans coming to Raleigh for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual World of Bluegrass week in September will also have a chance to chow down at the N.C. Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship in the capital city’s downtown.
The North Carolina Pork Council, the sanctioning body for the annual N.C. Whole Hog Series of cooking contests held around the state leading to the championship event, announced the link with the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) event. This partnership links the cook-off with a monster bluegrass festival that is expected to draw tens of thousands to downtown Raleigh.
Judge Mental: Lessons from the 2nd Annual Santa Anita BBQ Championships
Two weeks ago, I lost my virginity at the race track. Not the normal kind like you lose at a prom or in a prison shower. No, this was baby’s first time judging a barbecue competition and it happened at the 2nd Annual Santa Anita BBQ Championships at the famous Southern California race track of the same name. While there was a certain loss of innocence (or ignorance) involved, it was a wonderful experience that was a real eye opener to something I’ve always wanted to try. And I didn’t have to rent a tux, either.
SW Chocolate & Coffee Fest: A Caffeine Fiend’s Dream
I spent part of last weekend in an altered state of reality, my perceptions twisted by chemicals. And I wasn’t alone…in fact, fifteen thousand people joined me in this orgy of excess. Where was I? At the SW Chocolate and Coffee Fest, of course.
Snowmass Mammoth Fest
The 10th Annual Snowmass Chili Pepper & Brew Fest officially presents Snowmass Mammoth Fest, taking place on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8, 2013. The 2013 festival will feature 10 bands in two days and continue the traditional weekend of specialty chili and microbrew competitions with tastings.
Delicious New Mexico
Exciting things are happening in the New Mexico food community right now, especially what the people at Delicious New Mexico are doing for small local food businesses. Their work is bringing together farmers and ranchers with value-added products and connecting them to grocery stores, restaurants, festivals, and to consumers.
Oakland Raiders: Bare Bones Barbecue Brawlin’
“You can buy the whole seat but you’ll only need the eeeeedge!” Dubbing last Saturday’s Bare Bones barbecue competition a “brawl” couldn’t be further from the truth. The event was actually very laid back. It’s just hard for me not to feel a little primal when someone slow cooks dead animal over charcoal and wood.
