Televised cooking competitions such as Iron Chef have gained popularity among those who love to watch the intensity of the chef as he or she prepares the food, the precision by which the ingredients are measured and the dish is cooked, and the reactions by the discerning judges.
Those who do not live in the South may not be aware that such intense competition complete with closely guarded secrets, hard-working cooking crews lead by demanding bosses, and professional coordination, exists at the innocent-sounding summer barbecue festivals.
The origin of barbecue as a method of preparing food is vague, but most agree that it originates in the Caribbean. Spanish explorers noticed that the indigenous island people would leave their meat in the sun to preserve it, and to keep away the insects, they would build small fires and roast the meat atop the flames. Smoke is a natural insect repellent, allowing the meat to be preserved for longer periods of time. The people, in their native tongue, referred to this technique using the word “barabicu”, which, through time, evolved into the English word “barbecue”, after going through Spanish and French versions of the word. This is the most universally accepted explanation of the origin of barbecue, although debate will remain as long as there are those willing to argue. With the spread of people to North American came the inevitable introduction of the cooking technique (with the name attached, since it is most likely that the cooking technique had been practiced somewhere else in the world at some point in history).
Regionalism is extremely important to barbecue, since it is an indicator of how the barbecue is most likely to be prepared, the condiments that will be used, and the type of meats that are used. As far as Southern America is concerned, each state can be said to have its own method of doing barbecue. Texas has the biggest connection to barbecue in the South, due to it being perceived as an area where barbecuing is frequently practiced. The size of Texas means that each region of the state has different influences. South Texas is heavily influenced by Mexican culinary tastes, meaning that spicy barbecue is not uncommon. Fajita meat is commonly used, a special cut of meat that was historically less desirable, but it is also popularly prepared on a grill. Mostly, though, Southern Texas barbecue is differentiated by a pronounced Mexican influence.
East Texas indulges in traditional barbecue, with tomato-based sauce and the usage of pork, while Central Texas, originally settled by Germans, features European-style meat that is served without sauce and with non-traditional sides. Throughout the rest of the South, the major variation in barbecue styles is the different types of sauces that are either used in the preparation of the meat or served alongside it.
Summer barbecue festivals vary in purpose, from general get-togethers to share and appreciate meat cooked in the style to venues for serious competition that lead the way to the national competition, the American Royal Barbecue Festival, which is held in Kansas City, Missouri. Barbecue festivals where the chefs are competing against each other sometimes have an entrance fee for spectators. They are then welcome to enjoy live music, entertainment, games, and food. Usually, the food that is being made for the competition can only be sampled by the professional judges, unless the festival features a “people’s choice” segment, where visitors can then indulge in the fruits of the professional teams’ labor. A Southern tradition, these barbecue festivals feature a friendly, jovial atmosphere, lots of fun to be had, and an appreciation for all things related to barbecue and the preparation of the meat and the sauces. The entire family is welcome, with children especially enjoying the different carnival-style attractions that many barbecue festivals feature.
credit: tvol
There are barbecue festivals held all across the country, making the culinary phenomenon available to all those who wish to indulge in some authentic, juicy meat. One such example is the I Love Barbecue Festival, which is held at Lake Placid in New York State. Featuring barbecue prepared with only wood and charcoal fires, the I Love Barbecue Festival is part competition, part carnival-style event. Live music and games provide entertainment for spectators who may also be interested in watching the professional crews create their barbecue. Some may not let you linger, though, because the exact composition of a sauce or a marinade is most often top-secret.
If you want to experience barbecue styles from all around the world within the framework of an elite, important contest, the American Royal BBQ Contest is a great place to go. Purchase some tokens at the entrance, which you can then use to trade for samples everything from ribs to turkey legs. Depending on which day you go, you could see fireworks displays, hear live music acts, or see the BBQ Awards Ceremony, where the best barbecue crews receive their awards for a job well done. Kansas City is the place to be if you want to experience this festival, as well as barbecue done the Missouri way.
Another top BBQ festival is the National BBQ Festival in Douglas, Georgia. However this BBQ Festival isn’t held until late October.
credit: biskuit
Barbecue has caught on with the general public all across the country, expanding from its roots as a practical cooking style to a Southern phenomenon whose variety is only matched by its popularity. Restaurants that attempt to replicate the spirit of barbecue, from the unpretentious presentation (Southern barbecue enthusiasts are more than happy to eat off of a paper plate with plastic utensils, washing down the food with a beverage out of an ice cooler) to the comfortable, friendly atmosphere of a barbecue festival. Even vegetarians can enjoy the slow-cooked meals prepared with delicious sauces, since vegetables are more than eligible to be cooked in such a manner.
credit: biskuit
Some may say it defies the spirit of barbecue, but the essential aspects are still there. Barbecue is even a good impetus to travel around the country: no state does barbecue quite like any other state, and in order to experience the full culinary gamut that there is to indulge in, you have to expand your boundaries.
Summer is a time to appreciate the sun and the outdoors in general, and it is also a time to have fun with friends. A barbecue festival is a great combination of both, happening to focus around a delicious style of cooking that emphasizes the food over everything else. Savory sauces and juicy meats cooked by people of several different backgrounds, and therefore styles, are to be had at any barbecue festival, as well as live music, games, entertainment, fireworks displays, and other carnival-style attractions.
Southerners are not the only people who are eligible to experience this, though: while a barbecue festival is worthy cause for a road trip, there are new ones being organized all over the country every summer. Though New York City isn’t known for it’s barbecue, they have a gigantic barbecue festival each June. The 6th Annual Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party will take place on June 7-8, 2008 in Madison Square Garden.
If the relaxed summer fun is something that you yearn for, a barbecue festival provides a perfect taste of it, as well as a great opportunity to taste excellent cooking.
