The 10th Annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party June 9 & 10, 2012

Danny Meyer's Union Square Events, Blue Smoke and Jazz Standard are proud to present the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, taking place June 9 & 10, 2012, an unforgettable weekend of great food, music, and festivities. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Madison Square Park and surrounding streets, the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party is presented by Southern Living and is one of NYC's largest and most beloved outdoor events, attracting people from near and far to celebrate America's authentic culinary and musical traditions.

Ten years ago, when the newly opened Blue Smoke and Jazz Standard created the first annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party (BABBP), they anticipated a small neighborhood affair of barbecue and music enthusiasts. Despite torrential downpours, 6,000 people showed up to enjoy live music and some of the country's best 'cue, selected by Blue Smoke Pitmaster/Executive Chef Kenny Callaghan.

As the national enthusiasm for barbecue has grown, so too has the BABBP which now attracts over 140,000 attendees and some of the nation's top 'cue talent. Four of the original crew (Chris Lilly, Mike Mills, Ed Mitchell, and Blue Smoke's own Kenny Callaghan) are back, having participated in all 10 years, as well as favorite pitmasters from across the country, and one new addition- South Carolina's Rodney Scott, of Scott's Bar-B-Que.

Event admission is free, and attendees can purchase barbecue from 17 of the nation's top pitmasters for only $8/plate. Or, for the ultimate 'cue fanatic, FastPasses are on sale now for $125 each at www.bigapplebbq.org. Each FastPass includes a $100 value redeemable for food, beverage and merchandise and guarantees exclusive access to express lines for the FastPass holder and one guest throughout the weekend.

The Big Apple Barbecue Block Party also features live artist performances on stage in Madison Square Park. This year's line-up is headlined by legendary blues rocker Alejandro Escovedo, along with Jon Langford, JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, Southern Culture on the Skids, and The Revelations featuring Tre Williams. The weekend also includes seminars with the 'cue experts and great giveaways - ALL FREE.
 
2012 PITMASTERS

This year's event boasts 17 of the country's top 'cue experts representing a dozen states:

- Kenny Callaghan
Blue Smoke, New York, NY
- Joe Duncan
Baker's Ribs, Dallas, TX
- Mike Emerson
Pappy's Smokehouse, St. Louis, MO
- Charles Grund Jr.
Hill Country, New York, NY
- Jimmy Hagood
BlackJack Barbecue, Charleston, SC
- Tommy Houston
Checkered Pig, Danville, VA
- Chris Lilly
Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Decatur, AL
- Patrick Martin
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint, Nashville, TN
- Mike Mills
17th Street Bar & Grill, Murphysboro, IL/ Memphis Championship Barbecue, Las Vegas, NV
- Ed Mitchell
Raleigh, NC
- Myron Mixon
Jack's Old South, Unadilla, GA
- Garry Roark
Ubon's Barbeque, Yazoo City, MS
- Drew Robinson
Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q, Birmingham, AL
- Scott Roberts
The Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood, TX
- Rodney Scott
Scott's Bar-B-Que, Hemingway, SC
- John Stage
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, New York, NY
- John Wheeler
Rack & Soul, New York, NY
The Big Apple Barbecue is produced by Union Square Events, the event services business of Danny Meyer's family of restaurants, Union Square Hospitality Group. Proceeds from the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party support the Madison Square Park Conservancy, the organization responsible for the beauty, ongoing maintenance, and programming of the historic park.
We're just two months away, let the 'cue countdown begin!

www.bigapplebbq.org

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