Not to be outdone, the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival has been announcing pitmasters for the Prieto Pitmaster Invitational at its festival, including Brandon Shepard of Shepard Barbecue, Melanie Dunia of The Pit, Ron Simmons of Master Blend Family Farms, and Lewis Donald of Sweet Lew’s BBQ
Blake’s BBQ has its final days in the trailer this week
When you realize that there are only 4 days left, EVER, of “OG Blake’s BBQ” brisket bark.. After Saturday, it’ll still be available, at the new digs down the street. Come see us this Wednesday-Saturday and let’s go out with a bang at the bbq trailer! pic.twitter.com/UaYRubMCzE
This morning, Axios Charlotte brings details on the upcoming Carolina Barbecue Festival to be held May 22 at Camp North End in Charlotte. I’ve heard rumors of a Charlotte barbecue festival starting last summer from Donald himself and more recently from Garren Kirkman of Jon G’s. But this festival is shaping up to be quite the event, with a roster of notable pit bosses from Barbecue Bros favorites from all over the Carolinas including Bryan Furman of B’s Cracklin’ Barbeque (who grew up in Charlotte), Elliot Moss of Asheville’s Buxton Hall Barbecue, Nathan Monk of Lexington Barbecue, Matthew Register of Southern Smoke in Garland, Tay Nelson of Bobby’s BBQ in Fountain Inn, SC, and Brandon Shepard of Shepard’s Barbecue in Emerald Isle. Master Blend Family Farm, a family-owned farm in Kenansville, N.C., will contribute the hogs for the event.
The day looks to be full of Carolina barbecue (be it east, west, or South), beer, local music, and charity, with the proceeds going to nonprofits Piedmont Culinary Guild, World Central Kitchen and Operation Barbecue Relief. And I’m here for it.
Now’s your chance to get your barbecue story featured on the Southern Foodways Alliance’s Gravy Podcast
Calling all podcast reporters & producers—@thegravypodcast wants your barbecue stories! Until March 15, SFA is accepting pitches for fresh, unexpected episodes about barbecue of, from, or culturally connected to the American South. Find out how to pitch: https://t.co/vH7cRDWUj6pic.twitter.com/juF4G7GbSr
I covered this on the Facebook page briefly a few weeks back, but Smiley’s Lexington BBQ has officially announced its closing due to the NCDOT widening of Winston Road in Lexington. This widening was first announced in 2018 with a start date in summer 2020 but had likely been delayed due to the pandemic.
While owner Steve Yountz is not ready to retire just yet, per him “right now there is no definite plans on relocating as far as availably and affordability.” Patrons will have until February 26 to dine at the current location of Smiley’s before it closes its doors for good.
Nearby barbecue restaurant Speedy’s is also expected to close as a result of the road widening, however they are more optimistic about reopening in a new location and plan to rebuild and relocate, depending on the compensation they receive from DOT.
While the optimist in me hopes that both restaurants are able to relocate and continue business in due time, I worry that by next month we will be down two more classic NC barbecue joints.
Native News
A helpful post from Grady’s
Non-Native News
Applications for the Preserve the Pit fellowship are due March 1st
We continue to celebrate Black barbecue culture by launching year two of our Preserve the Pit fellowship and doubling our investment towards aspiring barbecue professionals. Check out details and apply: https://t.co/IYglP3WOgf#PreserveThePitpic.twitter.com/r1sGUEZvJL
Tim Carman of The Washington Post comes out with his annual barbecue list, with the wrinkle of releasing it in the winter time when some joints are closed
Carman also mourns the loss of pitmaster Corries Hardy
As we celebrate the best smokehouses in DC for 2022, I’d like to pause for a minute and acknowledge the loss last year of one of Washington’s best pitmasters: Corries Hardy. I really miss his presence at the Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market. https://t.co/6kwtRV7OMV
Rodney Scott and Eric Church getting into the honkey tonk game, and bringing whole hog to Broadway at Chief’s
In case anyone was wondering, the next country singer signing on for restaurant and bar ownership in downtown Nashville is Eric Church, and this time Carolina pitmaster Rodney Scott is getting in on the action.https://t.co/v472hUfRe2
Texans love traditions, and when it comes to barbecue, that means the Texas trinity of brisket, pork ribs and sausage. But like everything else in the barbecue business recently, that tradition is adapting and evolving. https://t.co/dpg88ZCGOi#houbbq#texaspic.twitter.com/0XZ3o7s6vj
Barbecue fests are back, baby! Earlier this week, both the BBQ Fest on the Neuse in Kinston, NC and the Houston Barbecue Festival announced separately that they were both back in spring 2022.
We're baaaack! The 2022 Houston Barbecue Festival happens Sunday, April 3rd at the Humble Civic Center. Tix on sale now! Pre-sale discount available for a limited time! Get'em while they last! https://t.co/qnrhgyqBBf#houbbqpic.twitter.com/DemXMNrmkv
This is after other festivals announce plans to come back strong in 2022, notably Memphis in May, Hogs for the Cause, Jiggy with the Piggy, and Aaron Franklin’s Hot Luck Festival.
Hot off the grill: Our 2022 lineup! Our last one sold out and broke fundraising records. Let's go even bigger this year! A VERY LIMITED amount of Early Bird tickets on sale now. They will NOT last long, so get them before the price rises » https://t.co/nfaJD7JQmn
Plus the successful debuts of the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival and Holy Smokes in 2021. And finally, it looks like The Barbecue Festival should be back in 2022 as well.
Fingers crossed that we get on the other side of the omicron variant and things can finally go back to relative normalcy.
Native News
Lawrence Barbecue renames their most popular sandwich in honor of American Aquarium, with proceeds in the month of February going to the Jimmy V Foundation (a favorite charity of hardcore NC State fan and lead singer BJ Barham)
Smoking quality barbecue requires the right kind of wood, and lots of it. But increasingly, good wood is hard to find for Texas pitmasters. https://t.co/A8mfofYtcg
Heim Barbecue has scheduled another BBQ class at their River location
Our BBQ class in February SOLD OUT!!! But have no fear, we've scheduled another February class 2/20 at 11am at our River location. Tickets are live now!!! https://t.co/1NECtudDsZ
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