BBQ Blitz – January 8

The FBA competition circuit comes alive with the Big Swamp Smoke Off in Naples, FL. The fourth year running, this event coincides with the Collier County, FL County Fair.

Brook’s Place BBQ in Houston, TX is offering a 25% discount to customers who are openly carrying firearms. Other area restaurants are following suit, while some are prohibiting weapons in their establishments.  More on this here from this Houston Chronicle.  Some oppose Brook’s welcoming stance on open carry – as you can see here.

Allison Aubrey and Maria Godoy of NPR report that the Obama administration has released its much-anticipated update to the Dietary Guidelines. Salt and sugar take a beating, but red meat gets a pass. You can hear the story here:

If there were a fried chicken category in competition BBQ, it might wind up looking and tasting a bit like the offerings at Byrd & Barrel, located at 3422 South Jefferson Avenue in St. Louis, MO. Ian Froeb reports that their 1/2 bird and chicken “Nugz” kick things up a notch. Gotta try cooking fried chicken in a Pressure Fryer at some point!

By the way… if you struggle with making good Fried Chicken at home, this post on How To Make Can’t-F*ck-It-Up Fried Chicken is right up your alley!

Chris Grove of NibbleMeThis.com offers up a classic grilled porterhouse steak recipe that looks like something straight out of Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse in Chicago, IL. Definitely a must try, especially with the poblano and portobello hash that accompanies it.

2016 Camp Brisket is underway…

The good Doctor about to hold his court!!!! @foodwaysTX #campbrisket @AgRiley79 @WeberGrills @jsavell pic.twitter.com/vpndb40ZTg

— Kevin Kolman backyrd (@KevinsBackyard) January 8, 2016

This year’s Foodways Texas Camp Brisket will feature a number of great speakers and panelists, and the tasting sessions will allow for evaluations of different grades, smoke, and wrapping techniques. The camp will be hosted by Davey Griffin, Ray Riley, Jeff Savell, and staff and students from the Meat Science Section in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University and will be held at the Rosenthal Meat Science and Technology Center and the O.D. Butler Animal Science Complex.

You can see the full speakers list and download a copy of the event agenda here. I will eventually make it to this yearly event. It WILL happen!!! Every serious fan of Barbecue should put Brisket Camp on their bucket list.