Do You Barbeque, Smoke or Grill? What’s the Difference?
| Jefferson City, Mo., - Is it barbeque or barbecue, BBQ or Bar-B-Q or Bar-B-Que? Honestly, the choice is yours; all are correct. Then there is the question of method: do you barbeque food, smoke it or grill it? Confused? Well, let’s have a look. In the United States, the experts almost unanimously stand by these definitions.Grilling involves cooking food directly above the heat source. Charcoal briquettes, gas and electricity are common sources for supplying heat. Grilling generally involves the use of marinades, salt, spices and herbs, and tomato-, sugar- or vinegar-based “barbecue sauce” to impart flavor. Grilling is quick, but because the temperature used is usually much too high, grilling commonly produces somewhat less tender, often dried-out and charred food.
Barbecue on the other hand is indirect cooking, where the food is not placed above the wood or charcoal heat source; smoking implies cooking the food, also away from the heat, by exposing it to smoke from burning or smoldering hardwoods. Meat and fish are the most common foods used, although hard cheeses, some vegetables and even course grained salt can be smoked. In these two methods, a dry rub is often applied prior to cooking; a basting liquid may be used periodically to maintain moisture. Barbequing and smoking are usually long, slow processes where the meat is flavored and tenderized by the process. Wet sauces are rarely used during the actual cooking period; they are added when the food is served. The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) is one of the largest barbeque contest sanctioning organizations in the world, annually approving and judging nearly 300 events throughout the United States. Barbequing and smoking are the name-of-the-game at these competitions, where only fires using wood, wood pellets or charcoal are allowed; gas and electric heat sources are not permitted for cooking or holding food. Cooked entries are judged in four KCBS meat categories: Chicken, including Cornish Game Hen and Kosher Chicken; Pork Ribs, which must include the bone (country style ribs are prohibited; Pork, defined as Boston Butt, Picnic and/or Whole Shoulder, weighing a minimum of five pounds. Pork shall be cooked whole (bone in or bone out) and shall not be separated (pulled) during the cooking process; Beef Brisket, may be whole brisket, flat, or point (corned beef is not allowed). The circuit of the competitive barbecue season runs from August through the following July. The big-daddy of all KCBS sanctioned barbeque contests is the American Royal. The American Royal Invitational Barbecue is the season finale for barbeque circuit. Taking up more than 20 acres in Kansas City’s historic Stockyards District, with nearly 500 competing teams, The Royal is, undisputedly, the largest barbecue contest in the world. Combined with a barbecue-related trade expo, this food festival is truly the “World Series of Barbecue.” The 31st Annual American Royal (www.arbbq.com) fills the air with smoke October 2-3, 2010. Only qualified, Grand Champion winning teams, from certified “State Championships,” are invited to compete at The Royal. To qualify, the event must hold a proclamation signed by the Governor, declaring it a state championship contest. In Missouri, a certified “State Championship” is held almost every week. These are great spots to experience Missouri and chow-down on some truly spectacular, down-home Que. KCBS sanctioned, qualifying contests for the 2010 American Royal are: July 2-3: Crossroads BBQ Cook-Off, in McCorkle Park, Cameron. This coincides with their annual Independence Day festival. Email - Chamber@CameronMo.com. July 10: The Johnson County Fair BBQ Cook-Off, in Warrensburg, is part of the county fair festivities. Email – JoCoFair@JohnsonCountyFairAssociation.com July 16-17: Smokin’ on the River, part of the Tri-County Jamboree at Stump Island Park in Glasgow. www.GlasgowMo.com/Jamboree/jamboree06.htm. July 23-24: Boone’s Lick Trail BBQ Contest, 2010 in Columbia. Email – aolmstead@HawthornBank.com for information. But wait! Summer is just starting to roll. Great BBQ contests don’t stop in July . . . not in Missouri anyway. KCBS sanctioned, qualifying events for the 2011 American Royal kick-off in August as Missouri’s State Championships continue into the heat of summer: Laurie Hillbilly Barbecue Cook-Off, Aug. 6-7, 2010, at the Laurie Fair Grounds. This is the Lake of the Ozarks region state championship. Also, there will be a Kids-Que contest for ages 5-15. www.freewebs.com/lauriemissouri/bbqcookoff.htm The BBQ and Fly In on the River, Aug. 20-21, 2010, takes place at the Hall of Waters District in downtown Excelsior Springs. Activities include hot air balloon rides, military helicopters, bands and games. www.BBQonTheRiverContest.com Cape BBQ Fest, Aug. 27-28, 2010, is held at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau. This year they have added a Homebrew Beer Competition (not part of the KCBS sanctioned event) and live music. www.CapeJaycees.org/bbqfest.htm Windsor Bar-B-Que Cook-off, Sep. 3-4, is part of the Windsor SeptemberFest Festival. In addition to the great bar-b-que, there is a carnival, bands, and all of the activities on a fair. www.WindsorSeptemberfest.com/events.htm Blue Springs Barbeque Blaze-Off, Sep. 10-11 at Hidden Valley Park in Blue Springs, includes a beer garden and a Kids-Que. www.bluespringsgov.com/CurrentEvents.aspx?EID=329 Hermann BarBQ & Brats Festival, Sep. 24-25, in Hermann City Park, serves up great barbeque (including brats), a Kids-Que contest, beer and wine garden, music and a bonfire. www.VisitHermann.com/special_events/barbq.htm That takes us through summer and into the start of the school year. But fear not, the smoke doesn’t end there. Find a complete list of Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned contests at www.kcbs.us/events.php. If you really love barbecue, barbeque, BBQ, Bar-B-Que—well, whatever you prefer to call it—get out to one of these fantastic events. Heck, hit ‘em all and suck down some great American chow. Enjoy! For more information on Missouri events, visit www.VisitMO.com or call 800-519-4800 to order a free copy of the Official 2010 Missouri Travel Guide. Contact: |
