Which pitmaster will smoke the competition?
There will be smoke when the Houston Barbecue Festival teams with Saint Arnold Brewing Co. for the first Houston BBQ Throwdown on Nov. 8.
The event challenges some of the city’s top pitmasters to create the next great barbecue dish that says Houston in one bite. The event was inspired by a story written by Houston Chronicle barbecue columnist J.C. “Chris” Reid, in which he called on Houston pitmasters to develop dishes that showcase the city’s diversity of food and culture.
“International cuisines, such as Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, Indian and Pakistani, combine with the indigenous influences of soul food and Cajun cooking to create a rich diversity unmatched in Texas,” Reid said. “Adding the smoked meats of Houston’s barbecue scene to the mix is an obvious next step.”
For the invitational contest, pitmasters will create one dish, which will be judged in a blind tasting by a panel of barbecue experts.
Participants include Blood Bros. BBQ, Brooks’ Place BBQ, the Brisket House, Corkscrew BBQ, Feges BBQ, Pappa Charlie’s, the Pit Room, Pizzitola’s and Roegel’s BBQ. (More entrants are anticipated.)
In addition to the judges’ winner, a “People’s Choice” title will be awarded.
A limited number of tickets will be sold for the event. General admission is $55 and includes Saint Arnold beer and samples of each competitor’s dish. A VIP ticket that includes access to the private Saint Arnold Investor’s Pub, where the judging will take place, is $120.
Find tickets at houbbq. com. Saint Arnold Brewing Co. is located at 2000 Lyons.
Whiskey extravaganza
Whiskey lovers, wet your whistles.
Whiskies of the World is coming to Houston.
The event will feature hundreds of whiskies for sampling, the chance to meet with distillers and brand ambassadors and mixology demonstrations.
A 45-minute class that offers a guided tasting of 4-6 whiskies not available in the main tasting hall is included in a VIP ticket that also offers an hour early admission.
The event will be 6-9 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Westchase Marriott, 2900 Briarpark.
Tickets are $120 and include tastings, a tasting glass, small bites and a cigar. VIP tickets are $150. Find tickets at whiskiesoftheworld.com.