GETTING OUT: Life lies beneath deathly hillsides
By Memorial Day, the browning of the California hills is
Garlic Festival Pitmasters start your fires, and let’s get the party started
Hey, so I really, really like John Melone’s idea of a BBQ competition at the Garlic Festival. It’s a slam dunk match. The son of the late Rudy Melone, co-founder of the festival, could be on to the next big food event at our fest, one that could attract another wave of media attention and add even more zest to the crowd appeal. I watch BBQ Pitmasters on TV. It’s a reality television series which pits three cooks against one another in a timed competition with cash and prizes on the line, including a shot at $50,000 for winning the whole shebang as the Kingsford BBQ Champion. Myron Mixon, the winningest man in BBQ, and BBQ Masters Tuffy Stone and Aaron Franklin are the usual judges. If you like to BBQ or enjoy cooking, it’s a fascinating show filled with a dizzying array of different cookers and methods. Most competitions are held at festivals in the south at places like the Barnesville BBQ and Blues Festival in Georgia, so I’d bet burnt ends from the beef brisket that Myron and company would love to make a beeline for California and the Garlic Festival. The “Pigs in the Park with Garlic” BBQ competition (which I’m sure will have a new name next year) begins at 10:30 a.m. Friday to the right of the Cook-off Stage with the judging at 4:45 p.m. Wander by – maybe they’ll even put out a suggestion box for a new name … Q’d up at the Garlic Fest, Grilling Garlic Gurus, Up in Garlic Smoke ... c’mon, ya’ll got one …
Spice of the Month: Jelly and Juleps and Java, Oh My
Its name is right at home before julep, chocolate chip, tea,
Maverick and Trail Dust: Smokin’ hot barbecue
Real, down-home barbecue is a family affair, and that's just
