Saveur's BBQ Nation

Reading Saveur magazine's BBQ Nation is like being instantly transported to some gritty, hole-in-wall BBQ joint in Kansas City or North Carolina. The kind of place where it's not corporate, but family owned, where you can smell the aromatic smoke a mile away. The photos and videos capture so much -- the friendly smiles behind the counter, the old equipment that's been used for generations, and the relaxed atmosphere from patrons waiting in line to get their fix of home style 'Q. There's even a recipe for Chicago-style rib tips. I might give it a whirl sometime.

I've also been checking out websites like the Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS) and the California BBQ Association. Ever wonder how people become a BBQ judge in those competitions? If you want to become a BBQ certified judge, you have to go an all-day judging class taught by KCBS. I think it's around $80 and it includes a year membership to KCBS. They hold several classes each month, but the problem is finding one close enough to Southern California. I would absolutely go. I'm sure once you get certified, you still have to snag a coveted judging spot -- sitting inside this white tent, shrouded in secrecy, tasting dozens of different BBQ? Sign me up.

Judging area tent at OC BBQ Festival in 2010

Volt Bro's Fire and Smoke Tour

I was walking around the mall over the weekend, strolled by William Sonoma, and saw a huge poster on the front window -- it was sign with the words "BBQ" and two dudes standing in front of it. After squinting for a few more seconds, those two dudes looked like the Voltaggio brothers of Top Chef fame. Interesting... and confusing at the same time. What was the point of the poster? Were they launching their own brand of BBQ tools for the store? Were they going to start doing BBQ demos? When one thinks of BBQ, William Sonoma isn't exactly the first thing that pops into mind.

So I did some research, and apparently the Voltaggio brothers did a "Fire and Smoke Tour" several months back, sponsored by... who else? William Sonoma. They went on 4-city tour sampling the country's different types of BBQ. Stops included Wilbur's in Goldsboro, North Carolina; Oklahoma Joe's in Kansas City, Kansas; Smitty's Market in Lockhart, Texas; and Cozy Corner in Memphis, Tennessee. On William Sonoma's blog, they posted some pictures of their trip, and will share more info as we get closer to summer -- prime-time BBQ season.

Not only are they great chefs, but they got paid to travel and eat BBQ at some of the best places in the country. Bastards!