The ‘Hog Drop’ Celebrated New Year’s with a BBQ Bang
This week’s guest article is written by Ed Reilly, a self-described “BBQ-ologist” who has worked in the industry for 35 years, including in sales for Weber, Char-Broil, Sunbeam, Old World Spices, and B&B Charcoal. He’s also a certified judge in five different sanctioning bodies. In today’s article, Ed writes the Hog Drop BBQ event that was held on New Year’s Eve. You can reach Ed on Instagram and Facebook. If you would like to write a guest article for The Smoke Sheet, please get in touch.
The city of Unadilla, Georgia, describes itself as a town of friendly people, wonderful businesses, and a convenient location for various local amenities. It has a population of 2,847 and is governed by a well-known barbecue superstar Myron Mixon.
Barbecue all-star Myron Mixon (right) talks with Bruce Johnson of Hey Bruce BBQ during the Hog Drop event in Unadilla, Georgia. (Photo by Ed Reilly)
As many BBQ fans know, Mixon is a celebrity chef, competitive barbecue pitmaster, author, restaurateur, and business owner. But his role as Mayor of Unadilla is particularly unique in barbecue circles because he gets to incorporate BBQ into official proceedings. Case in point: Unadilla celebrates New Year’s Eve with the Hog Drop.
The hog drops at midnight on New Year’s Eve in Unadilla, Georgia. (Photo by Ed Reilly)
Before anyone gets too upset, it’s not a real hog. It’s a large piece of metal shaped in the image of a six-foot pig that is decorated with LED lights. The giant hog changes color and flashes as it is lowered at the stroke of midnight. It’s basically the opposite of the fancy ball drop at Times Square. Myron said that his son Michael came up with the idea six years ago, and they have celebrated the Hog Drop ever since.
John Lindsey from the All Q’ued Up shows off his competition ribs. (Photo by Ed Reilly)
On top of the “drop” at midnight, the Hog Drop features a day of activities, complete with a Georgia Barbecue Association (GBA) contest, kids' inflatable activities, chain saw carving, pig races, mechanical hog rides, food trucks, concessions, adult drinks, and a live band. This is an invitational contest and is judged by the GBA’s criteria that focus on pork. Each team must prepare three main pork entries, including ribs, loin, and shoulder.
Bad Rooster BBQ took home the top prize at the Hog Drop. (Photo by Ed Reilly)
This year’s Hog Drop Grand Champion was Adam and Taunya Dawkins of Bad Rooster BBQ out of Lavonia, Georgia, with help from Cary Chasteen. The Reserve Grand Champion was John Lindsey and his team, All Q’ued Up, last year’s Grand Champion.
It wouldn’t be a Hog Drop without some racing hogs. (Photo by Ed Reilly)
While the barbecue contest and the hog dropping at midnight were fun, the University of Georgia Bulldogs stole the show. On New Year’s Eve, the Bulldogs won the Peach Bowl in the last few seconds in 2022. The annual New Year’s countdown was briefly interrupted by sports fans who couldn’t believe the Bulldogs came back from a two-touchdown deficit against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the stroke of midnight. (And just this week, the Bulldogs easily won the College Football Playoff National Championship as well.) This made for an entertaining way to head into 2023.
Ed Reilly and his wife Surrey toast the new year at the Hog Drop. (Photo by Ed Reilly)
Myron Mixon has announced next year’s Hog Drop will be even more spectacular, as Mixon has upped the Grand Prize cash award to $8,500. This is a fantastic event hosted by one of the best in the barbecue business. If you’re in or near Georgia, be sure to put it on your calendar for next year.
Ed Reilly
BBQ-ologist
—Famed barbecue author Steven Raichlen outlined his predictions for the BBQ world in 2023.—
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Barbecue master Steven Raichlen often starts the year with predictions for the barbecue world, and 2023 is no different. In an new Barbecue Bible article, he writes about “nine trends that will shape how we grill and what we grill in in 2023.” Some of his trends include barbecue on a budget due to inflation, the rise of porchetta, pellet grills getting better, more fusion barbecue, and non-grill grilling. READ HERE.
Barbecue author and historian Robert F. Moss writes in Southern Living about 8 restaurants that prove Arkansas barbecue is here to stay. Moss notes that, “with Memphis to the east and Texas to the west, Arkansas often gets skipped in discussions of Southern barbecue—and unfairly so, for the state has plenty of smoky treasures to share.” READ HERE.
Garden & Gun has written a great profile of pitmaster Henry Morris, who has been smoking ribs at Rendezvous in Memphis for 33 years. In those three decades of work, Morris has cooked an estimated 1.6 million slabs of Rendezvous’ distinctive charbroiled ribs. READ HERE.
The Houston Barbecue Festival will return for its 10th anniversary on April 2, 2023. Tickets are now on sale for the event that includes some of the state’s best pitmasters and barbecue joints such as CorkScrew BBQ in Spring, Brett’s BBQ Shop in Katy, Harlem Road Texas BBQ in Richmond, Tejas Chocolate & BBQ in Tomball, and more than a dozen of Houston’s most popular ’cue restaurants. READ HERE.
ADDITIONAL READS
Meet the new owners of Kansas City’s famed Arthur Bryant’s BBQ.
Eater Carolinas has rounded up 11 exceptional barbecue spots in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina.
Pitmaster Michael Symon says the second season of his Food Network show BBQ USA is currently filming in Cleveland.
Here is one reg flag you shouldn’t ignore at barbecue restaurants.
The Wagon Wheel in Eagle Pass is an old Texas BBQ joint teaching itself new tricks.
How Interstellar BBQ handled the crowds after being named one of Texas' top barbecue joints.
Acclaimed Brett’s BBQ Shop reopened in Katy, Texas last weekend.
—Arnie Segovia demonstrates how he makes a variety of meats on the grill, including beef, chicken, and sausage.—
WATCH
How to Grill a Texas Size Carne Asada Feast — ArnieTex
A parrillada is a very popular dish across Latin cuisine. It’s a mixture of grilled meats served on a huge plate with sides. Almost every parrillada has at least three beef proteins. In this video, Arnie uses center-cut ribs/finger ribs, cross-cut ribs (big tablitas), and fajitas. Chicken and sausage are also a must. A parrillada basically means a bunch of grilled meats served on a platon for you and your family and friends to enjoy. WATCH HERE.
LISTEN
What Wood Should I Smoke With? — Grab ‘Em in the Brisket
The guys from the Grab ‘Em in the Brisket podcast have joined the Oddpods Network! In this episode, they talk about the best wood to select for your barbecue cooks. Plus, they discuss Alex’s first solo brisket, the ice storm, a beer review, BBQ fails, and more! LISTEN HERE.
READ
The Epic Outdoor Griddle Cookbook: Amazing Recipes for Griddles and Flattops — Adam Walton and Brett Walton
Learn from the outdoor-griddle experts, Adam and Brett Walton, aka The Waltwins, how to turn your flattop griddle into the most valuable and versatile cooking tool in your arsenal. Grills and smokers have been around forever, but now there’s a new fixture on porches and patios everywhere: the outdoor or “flattop” griddle. Flattops get the heat out of the kitchen and turn out incredible quick-fried meals—using high heat and a minimum of oil, which is a healthy way to cook—in just minutes. As fans of their popular YouTube channel know, The Waltwins have put every make and model of flattop through its paces. In The Epic Outdoor Griddle Cookbook, they share dozens of tips and tricks for making your outdoor griddle work to its maximum potential along with amazing recipes guaranteed to please eaters of any age. ORDER HERE.
—Pork Belly Lollipops are a fun dish to serve to friends and family at gatherings. (Photo by Scale and Tailor)—
Pork Belly Lollipops
By Scale and Tailor
Recently, Pork Belly Lollipops have been trending on social media. After all, everything is better on a stick. This recipe from Kara of Scale and Tailor (one of the top Canadian BBQ influencers you need to follow) is just like having the taste of pork belly burnt end. You will love the juicy, soft inside of the pork belly and the crispy, rendered outside.
Learn more about Southside Market Barbeque.
—It's time to start mapping out BBQ events to attend in 2023.—
January 20-21, 2023: The Shed "Dual" Steak and BBQ Showdown — Ocean Springs, Mississippi
The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint, a popular BBQ destination, is again hosting a huge Steak Cookoff Association competition in late January with a total prize purse of $21,500. The event feature competitions for ribeye steaks, ribs, turkey, and bloody marys. There will also be a Kids-focused Kids Q competition to keep the younger ones busy. MORE INFO HERE.
February 15-18, 2023: National Barbecue & Grilling Association National Conference — Kissimmee, Florida
The National Barbecue & Grilling Association (NBBQA) will be hosting its annual national conference in early 2023. Expect great classes, speakers, food, competitions, and much more at this event. MORE INFO HERE.
March 31-April 1, 2023: Hogs For the Cause — New Orleans, Louisiana
The Hogs For the Cause barbecue competition and festival is back in 2023 for its 15th anniversary. The event will be held at the UNO Lakefront Arena festival grounds. Proceeds go to fight pediatric brain cancer. MORE INFO HERE.
April 2, 2023: Houston Barbecue Festival — Humble, Texas
The Houston Barbecue Festival will return for its 10th anniversary this April. Tickets are now on sale for the event that includes some of the state’s best pitmasters and barbecue joints such as CorkScrew BBQ in Spring, Brett’s BBQ Shop in Katy, Harlem Road Texas BBQ in Richmond, Tejas Chocolate & BBQ in Tomball, and more than a dozen of Houston’s most popular ’cue restaurants. MORE INFO HERE.
May 17-20, 2023: Memphis in May — Memphis, Tennessee
Recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious barbecue contests, the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is a four-day competition held in Memphis. Teams representing the best of barbecue that have been honing their craft for years compete for the title of World Champion and a share of the more than $145,000 in prize money. The event will be held again at Tom’s River Park after a hiatus. However, based on the reduction in space in the new Tom Lee Park the event organizers expect the contest will be limited to 150 teams. MORE INFO HERE.
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