7 Tasty BBQ Events to Attend in the Second Half of 2022
Earlier this year, we predicted that barbecue festivals and competitions would come roaring back in 2022 after two years of disappointment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While we might not be out of the woods just yet, several notable events have already occurred this year, including the Jeff Michner BBQ Benefit at Pig Beach NYC, Memphis in May, the Carolina BBQ Festival, and the Made for KC BBQ Championship.
Several more events are slated for the coming months, and we wanted to share some of the biggest barbecue celebrations and competitions taking place this year. Here are seven must-attend events happening between August and December 2022.
The Windy City Smokeout brings together top barbecue restaurants and country artists from around the country. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
August 4-7, 2022 — Windy City Smokeout — Chicago, Illinois
Get ready for beer, BBQ, and country because the Windy City Smokeout BBQ & Country Music Festival is returning to Chicago in August. The Windy City Smokeout is one of the largest barbecue festivals in the U.S., with this year’s edition bringing a stunningly good lineup together of veterans and newcomers. You’ll be able to enjoy great barbecue while listening to headliners like Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Sam Hunt, and Willie Nelson. MORE INFO HERE.
Pig Island NYC is one of the biggest barbecue events held in the Northeast each fall. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
September 10, 2022 — Pig Island NYC — Staten Island, New York
Pig Island NYC will celebrate its thirteenth year on September 10 at Snug Harbor Cultural Center on Staten Island in New York City. Join in for all-inclusive food from all-star pitmasters and chefs who will serve delicious porky goodness and drinks from local breweries, distilleries, and cideries. Top chefs will compete for the best dishes, and event-goers reap the benefits. Expect a ton of amazing eats and a great place to picnic with friends and family for the day. MORE INFO HERE.
Troubadour Festival is a rollicking good time with amazing barbecue and music. (Photo via Troubadour Festival / Facebook)
September 10, 2022 — Troubadour Festival — Tyler, Texas
Troubadour Festival is a multi-location Texas BBQ & Music experiential festival that pays homage to the traveling songwriter and the worldwide popularity of the Texas barbecue scene. The September 10 edition of the fest takes place in Downtown Tyler, Texas, for the first Troubadour Festival happening in East Texas. Tyler's inaugural Troubadour Festival will bring together more than 40 of the most celebrated barbecue joints from across Texas, and you’ll be able to scarf all that down while listening to some of the premier names in country music. Headliners will include Gary Allan, Flatland Cavalry, Mike Ryan, The Steel Woods, and Chris Colston. Troubadour will also host one more festival in Celina, Texas, in October if you can’t make the one in Tyler. MORE INFO HERE.
The Jack is one of the most prestigious barbecue competitions held each year. (Photo via Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue / Facebook)
October 14-15, 2022 — The Jack — Lynchburg, Tennessee
It's rare that whiskey-making takes a backseat to much of anything in Lynchburg, Tennessee. But “The Jack,” one of the top KCBS competitions annually, is an exception. For one weekend in October, barbecue competitors from around the world converge to wield their grilling and smoking expertise. On top of the competition, other events are held to provide a lively and fun atmosphere for families and friends. MORE INFO HERE.
This November, the KCBS World Invitational will bring together the biggest names in competition barbecue. (Photo by Wai Chan)
November 11-13, 2022 — KCBS World Invitational — Gadsden, Alabama
The Kansas City Barbeque Society finishes the year with the fourth annual KCBS World Invitational Barbeque Competition held from November 11-13 at Noccalula Falls Park and Campground in Gadsden, Alabama. The best champion pitmasters will come together to compete for the “KCBS World Champion” title. The event will feature three full days of contests and the KCBS Annual Banquet and awards ceremony, where the Team of the Year will be named. In the World Invitational Open Series contest, Backyard teams will be eligible to compete in the open against Master Series teams without impacting their Backyard status. There will also be ancillary contests, including a Turkey Smoke Series contest from the National Turkey Federation and a cocktail contest from Holladay Distillery. MORE INFO HERE.
Fill up on incredible barbecue bites at the next edition of the Jacksonville BBQ Fest. (Photo via Jacksonville BBQ Fest / Facebook)
November 18-20, 2022 — Jacksonville BBQ Fest — Jacksonville, Florida
During the past few years, Florida has become an even bigger attraction for barbecue restaurants and events. The Jacksonville BBQ Fest, held at TIAA Bank Field (where the Jaguars play), is one event that brings barbecue fans together to get a taste of great local and national barbecue bites. On top of the top-notch food, there’s also live music and great drinks to enjoy. To get a taste of this event, be sure to read Ed Reilly’s recap of the Denver BBQ Festival, which is hosted by the same organizers. MORE INFO HERE.
Some of the biggest names in barbecue will be at the Holy Smokes BBQ Festival in Charleston this November. (Photo via Holy Smokes BBQ Festival)
November 19, 2022 — Holy Smokes BBQ Festival — Charleston, South Carolina
Aaron Siegel and Taylor Garrigan of Home Team BBQ, Anthony DiBernardo of Swig & Swine, and Robert Moss, the Contributing BBQ Editor for Southern Living, have invited the leaders of the barbecue community from around the country to come together in Charleston on November 19th, 2022 at Riverfront Park. With live music playing on stage against the backdrop of the Cooper River, guests will have a unique opportunity to sample a range of barbecue styles from the group of renowned pitmasters. Expect to taste slow-smoked whole hog, pork and beef ribs, Texas-style brisket, smoked sausage, BBQ tacos, and much, much more. MORE INFO HERE.
–
Keep an eye on our Events section below for more fun gatherings and competitions taking place in 2022 and beyond. We also do our best to keep our online events calendar up to date as well. If you want your event listed in the newsletter and online, please let us know here.
Ryan Cooper (BBQ Tourist) and Sean Ludwig (NYC BBQ)
Co-Founders, The Smoke Sheet
—Sauce King NYC, a virtual event from Food Karma Projects, is back for its third year. Using judges, Sauce King NYC determines the best barbecue sauces, hot sauces, marinades, and more from around the country. The competition is now accepting shelf-stable sauce and condiment submissions through August 20th for the 2022 competition. Enter your best sauce in the competition today!—
—Acclaimed ‘Mexicue’ spot Hurtado Barbecue announced they would soon be opening a new location in Fort Worth. (Photo by Ryan Cooper)—
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Hurtado Barbecue, an Arlington craft barbecue restaurant that has drawn acclaim in barbecue circles and beyond, will soon be adding a Fort Worth location in August, owner and pitmaster Brandon Hurtado announced Saturday. Hurtado will take over a space that is currently home to Derek Allan’s Texas Barbecue, and it will be its third location overall. Derek Allan’s plans to remain open until the space changes over. “Fort Worth is the barbecue capital of Texas right now, and we want to be part of it,” Hurtado told the Star-Telegram. READ MORE.
Fort Worth-based Panther City BBQ will be attempting to break the world record for barbecuing this week. This collaboration with Texas Monthly and Texas Travel is intended to break the Guinness World Record for the “Longest BBQ Marathon Team.” An Italian team holds the current record, but Panther City wants to bring it back to America. The event starts Wednesday, July 13th at 8 p.m. Central and will end Friday at 3 p.m. (43 hours). It will be live-streamed here, so you can tune in to watch it in action. READ MORE.
Smoke N Ash, which is located in a small strip mall in Arlington, Texas, may be the only Ethiopian-Texas barbecue restaurant in the world. The couple behind the joint — Fasicka and Patrick Hicks — were interviewed by CBS Mornings about how they started the restaurant and how they blend Southwest U.S and East African flavors. "When it comes to food for me, it's just about togetherness. You work on it with love and care, and you make it to be the best thing on the plate, on the table," Fasicka said. READ MORE.
Daniel Vaughn reports in Texas Monthly that under-the-radar joint B. Cooper Barbecue in Austin is serving high-quality lamb alongside brisket. “B. Cooper Barbecue is a one-man show,” Vaughn writes. “Cooper smokes all the meat, makes all the sides, and serves everything up himself in the Texas heat. His impressive barbecue deserves more than the meager attention it has received so far.” READ MORE.
ADDITIONAL READS
North Carolina pitmasters are trying to embrace and cling to the state’s barbecue traditions, including Ed Mitchell, Sam Jones, and Wyatt Dickson.
Michael Symon (who is hosting the new BBQ USA TV show) shares his recipe for smoked chicken with Alabama white sauce.
The Kansas City Barbeque Society announced a new partnership with the VFW, where VFW Posts will host KCBS-sanctioned barbeque competitions and Certified Barbeque Judge classes.
After a long journey, Jerry Stephenson’s Redneck BBQ Lab will add a new location in Raleigh's North Hills.
The folks at Southern Living have twelve award-winning barbecue sauce recipes that you will want to try.
Here are some easy summer potluck sides, mains, and desserts to bring to your next barbecue.
chael Symon talks to the team from The Shed for his new show BBQ USA. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)—
WATCH
BBQ USA Series Premiere — Food Network
On BBQ USA, longtime meat enthusiast Michael Symon heads to some of the country’s most-esteemed barbecue competitions in America for an up-close look at the fiery showdowns and red-hot ‘cue being cooked up from Tennessee to Texas to Georgia and everywhere in between. Over the course of six episodes, Michael meets pitmasters who are vying for the win with their expertly crafted barbecue and checks in with the festival-goers who are so obsessed with BBQ that they travel near and far for a taste of it all. Michael, too, will get a taste of it all when he samples some of the most drool-worthy ribs, brisket, and more smoked meats up for grabs. Tune in each week for a special look at the many styles of ‘cue across the country and get to know the folks facing off in these demanding competitions. WATCH HERE.
LISTEN
All Up In…Wing Crush — All Up In My Grills
If you finally want to become the wing master you have always dreamed of becoming, this is the podcast episode for you? Get all up in Wing Crush, this summer's hottest new grilling cookbook by All Up In My Grills podcast co-host Paula Stachyra (AKA @queenofthegrill). Her podcast partner-in-crime Lauren Nagel (AKA @bonappeteach) asks Paula about the process of signing a book deal, writing 100 epic wing recipes, and sharing more info about the chapters and recipes you will be running out to your grill to try. LISTEN HERE.
READ
Live Fire Cooking: Open Flame Techniques and Recipes to Transform Your Meals — Craig Tabor
Master the art of handling open flames with BBQ extraordinaire Craig Tabor. Cooking by fire offers unparalleled flavors and textures, plus a tremendous sense of accomplishment that you won’t find with gas or electric. Use an offset smoker to keep your meat juicy and fall-apart tender, an open-pit grill to enrich the sweet and savory flavors of your dinners, or a wood-fired oven to bake your favorite pizzas and desserts to perfection. Thanks to Craig’s comprehensive step-by-step guides on setup and equipment, along with these 60 mouthwatering recipes, you’ll learn to cook just about anything by fire. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to light the fire! ORDER HERE.
—These scallops are best served hot off the grill. (Photo by Craig Tabor)—
Lemon Garlic Marinated Scallops
By Craig Tabor
Scallops are an all-time family favorite. While a simple salt-and-pepper seasoning will work wonders, it's fun to try new flavors. Here's a combination that we love, which includes lemon, garlic, olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Learn more about Southside Market Barbeque.
—A lot of big barbecue events are happening in 2022. Eat up!—
August 4-7, 2022: Windy City Smokeout — Chicago, Illinois
Get ready for beer, BBQ, and country, because the Windy City Smokeout BBQ & Country Music Festival is returning to Chicago soon. The Windy City Smokeout is one of the largest barbecue festivals in the U.S., with this year’s edition bringing a stunningly good lineup together of veterans and newcomers. Read our 2019 Windy City Smokeout recap to learn about the experience. MORE INFO HERE.
September 2-4, 2022: Pinehurst Barbecue Festival — Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina
The Pinehurst Barbecue Festival, presented by Pinehurst Resort, US Foods and The Pilot, is a “Celebration of Taste and Tradition” featuring award-winning pitmasters from across North Carolina in one of the most picturesque settings in the entire state. The three-day event, staged in and around the historic Village of Pinehurst, offers a unique culinary sampling experience of various barbecue meats and traditional sides. MORE INFO HERE.
September 10, 2022: Pig Island NYC — Staten Island, New York
Pig Island NYC will celebrate its 13th year on September 10, 2022, at Snug Harbor on Staten Island. Join in for all-inclusive food and drink, from all-star pitmasters and chefs who will be serving up delicious porky goodness, as well as local breweries, distilleries, and cideries. Top chefs will compete for the best dishes and event-goers reap the benefits. Expect a ton of amazing eats and a great place to picnic with friends and family for the day. BUY TICKETS HERE.
September 10, 2022: Troubadour Festival — Tyler, Texas
Troubadour Festival is a multi-location Texas BBQ & Music experiential festival that pays homage to the traveling songwriter and the worldwide popularity of the Texas barbecue scene. The September 10 edition of the fest takes place in Downtown Tyler, Texas, for the first Troubadour Festival happening in East Texas. Tyler's inaugural Troubadour Festival will bring together more than 40 of the most celebrated barbecue joints from across Texas, and you’ll be able to scarf all that down while listening to some of the premier names in country music. MORE INFO HERE.
Sept 28 - Oct 2, 2022: American Royal World Series of Barbecue — Kansas City, Kansas
The American Royal World Series of barbecue is the largest BBQ competition in the country. On top of a massive KCBS competition with roughly 500 teams from around the country, this signature Kansas City event includes public-facing activities, including live music, delicious BBQ and local food, a full lineup of kids activities, and a vendor fair authentic to Kansas City and BBQ enthusiasts. Read our 2021 recap of the event to learn more about the experience. MORE INFO HERE.
October 14-15, 2022 — The Jack — Lynchburg, Tennessee
It's rare that whiskey-making takes a backseat to much of anything in Lynchburg, Tennessee. But “The Jack,” one of the top KCBS competitions annually, is an exception. For one weekend in October, barbecue competitors from around the world converge to wield their grilling and smoking expertise. On top of the competition, other events are held to provide a lively and fun atmosphere for families and friends. MORE INFO HERE.
November 11-13, 2022: KCBS World Invitational — Gadsden, Alabama
The Kansas City Barbeque Society’s biggest event for the rest of the year is the fourth annual KCBS World Invitational Barbeque Competition. The event will bring together top champion pitmasters to compete for the title of “KCBS World Champion.” This event will feature three full days of contests and events. There will be both an open contest and a Master Series contest. Plus, backyard teams will be eligible to compete in the open against Master Series teams without impacting their Backyard status. MORE INFO HERE.
November 19, 2022: Holy Smokes BBQ Festival — Charleston, South Carolina
Aaron Siegel and Taylor Garrigan of Home Team BBQ, Anthony DiBernardo of Swig & Swine, and Robert Moss, the Contributing BBQ Editor for Southern Living, have invited the leaders of the barbecue community from around the country to come together in Charleston on November 19th, 2022 at Riverfront Park. With live music playing on stage against the backdrop of the Cooper River, guests will have a unique opportunity to sample a range of barbecue styles from the group of renowned pitmasters. Expect to taste slow-smoked whole hog, pork and beef ribs, Texas-style brisket, smoked sausage, BBQ tacos, and much, much more. MORE INFO HERE.
Thanks for reading our newsletter. Please share it with friends and family that also love and support barbecue! Want to be featured in or sponsor The Smoke Sheet?
Email us here!