Grillin' on the Bay was mentioned in this week's Time Out NY in an article about cooking competitions; was mentioned in today's NY Daily News and also had the follwing piece in the NY Observer....between the Doc's class and this, we're looking forward to a great weekend for NY bbq....
The New Yorkerator
Smokin’ on the Shore
In the world of barbecue, competition burns hotter than an open pit in Abilene. It seems anyone who is even slightly familiar with the culinary tradition has an opinion about the marriage of smoke and meat—dry rub or wet, spicy or sweet, pork or beef and so on. But at “Grillin’ On the Bay,” the city’s only major BBQ contest sanctioned by the New England Barbecue Society (NEBS), the judges’ taste buds are the only ones that really matter. And on Saturday, March 31, cooking teams will flock—“rain or shine”—to Sheepshead Bay for the chance to take home the title of grand champion and a whole lot of bragging rights.
Now in its second year, the event isn’t reserved for pit masters and pork flesh alone. On the contrary, the public is encouraged to come and watch the BBQ battle while munching on smoked savories provided by the mesquite-mongers at Atom’s Ribs and White Trash.
“People are supportive of each other, but everyone wants to step over everyone else’s back to get to the stage,” said Matt Fisher, the event’s co-organizer. “There’s some trash-talking going on, but it’s friendly. The best part of the barbecue world is that everyone is very genuine and open.” It’s a good thing, too, because the 24 competing groups are each allotted a 15-by-15-foot space from which to work their magic.
Saveur food editor Todd Coleman, EatingforBrooklyn.com blogger Pete Hassler and freelance writer Paul Lukas are among the gutsy arbiters slated to be in attendance. Each team will enter a chicken, pork, fish and “chef’s choice” dish. Last year, a crew from the Purple Turtle catering company in Fairfield, Conn., took home top honors, but, said Mr. Fisher, everyone is a winner when the proceeds benefit a great cause like the St. Mark’s Sports Association for kids.
—David Foxley
