Monday, June 6, 2011
Travel Advisory More Opportunities for Foodie Travel
Posted by Chris Chamberlain on Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 8:06 AM
The first one I'll share with you is the Big Apple BBQ Block Party, which will take place in New York City's Madison Park this weekend, Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12. More than 150,000 people are expected to frolic in the steamy heat while they enjoy smoky goodness provided by 15 of America's great pitmasters. Representing our fair city for the third year in a row is local treasure Pat Martin of Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint in Nolensville. Fresh off his third place finish in the Memphis in May National BBQ Championship as a member of the Fatback Collective all-star team, Pat will be serving his signature West Tennessee Whole Hog to the hungry Yankees.
- bbqroadtrippin.blogspot.com
- Be happy you're not hitting the road towing THIS sumbitch.
As amazing as this achievement is, the real story is untold: how Pat and a band of Nashville chefs manage to get themselves and a 40-foot trailer up the Eastern Seaboard and through the streets of Manhattan in Pat's Global Warmer of a pickup truck fueled only by diesel and bourbon.
(If you happen to be in the Big Apple next weekend and encounter Pat and his merry band of porksters celebrating a hard day's work in a Manhattan watering hole, you're in for a treat. But no pictures, please.)
For an idea of the work and play that goes on behind the scenes at Pat's pit during this event, check out a video taken in 2009 by Carey Bringle, The Peg-Leg Porker himself. [Warning: there are scenes of pretty graphic hog/ax interaction during the prep process and there might or might not be a big-ass NYC rat making a cameo appearance.]
Martin’s reputation as a pitmaster has soared since his first trip to the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party in 2009.
His restaurant has been featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, hosted by Guy Fieri, Bon Appetit has recognized Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint as one of America’s “Top 10 New Barbecue Restaurants,” and Garden & Gun named the Joint’s signature “Redneck Taco” one of the “100 Southern Foods You Absolutely Positively Must Try Before You Die.” Martin was also one of two national pitmasters invited to the renowned Charleston Food & Wine Festival in South Carolina. Patrick joined other top Southern pitmasters to serve his whole hog at the closing event aptly titled “BBQ, Blues + Brew.”
He is definitely a local boy who makes Nashvile proud. (I'm conveniently ignoring the fact that he's actually from ... shhh ... Memphis.)
For more details on the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, check out the event's official website.
Celebrities participating in the Bacchanalia range from Norman Van Aken, fresh off his Savor Nashville visit to master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim. Don't be scared of the weather either, since Key West is the epitome of temperate. In recorded history, the temperature has never gone below 41 degrees and the average high in June is well below 90. The festival's playful attitude should encourage eating and drinking long into the wee hours, so it will definitely be a good time.
So broaden your horizons and hit the road, Jack.
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