Grill Maestro

I’ve mentioned the Safeway National Capital Barbecue Battle before, about how I wanted to go the last few years, but never had a chance to make it down I-95 to see it in person because of scheduling conflicts. Well, this year will be different! I decided a few days ago, after reading up about this year’s contest, the 16th, that I would be making it down this year and wouldn’t you know it, their publicity manager sent me an email inviting me to come down and offering up some passes! I would’ve gone even without the passes, considering the price of a ticket is only ten bucks and proceeds benefit the DC Boys and Girls’ Clubs and other local charities, but now with free passes on the way I have to attend!

Here is what Roberta had to share about this year’s contest, and it sounds very exciting!

The 16th annual National Capital Barbecue Battle, held June 21st and 22nd in the heart of Washington, DC. This internationally acclaimed event is one of the world’s largest BBQ contests, and draws more than 100,000 people from all over the world (including many Virginia and Maryland suburbs) to welcome summer on Pennsylvania Avenue, and enjoy world-class BBQ, music, food, celebrity chefs, interactive exhibits, and kids’ activities.

For the first time ever, the nation’s two largest competition barbecue organizations-The Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) and the Memphis in May world barbecue contest (MIM)- will pit teams against each other to vie for the title of National Barbecue Champion and over $40,000 in cash and prizes. Our headliners this year are Leon Russell and Roy Ayers. We are very proud of the fact that the Battle is also the largest annual fundraiser for the DC Boys and Girls’ Clubs, and has raised over a million dollars for them and other local charities.

If you’re going to be there, give me a shout and we might meet up! I can smell the sweet smells of barbecue already!