Page 36 - Barbecue News Magazine August 2020

presidential bbq
Presidential Connections
to Barbecue (P.C.B.)
Sponsored by B&B Charcoal
The office of the presidency was originally designed to be one of service. It is not the place for kings and tyrants, our founding fa- thers had just fought a war to rid this land of these despots. After the 13 original colonies declared independence from the monar- chy they agreed to be united under a constitution because they knew to survive in this world they would need to stick closely to- gether.
In much the same way barbecue was originally designed to be a meal of service. Nobody prepares barbecue for just themself, it’s always for family, friends, church, social or special occasions. And just like our founding fathers originally intended for our country, barbecue brings people together. The history of barbecue is the history of America. It is one of the few traditions that is truly uniquely American. Barbecue is something that we can call our very own. It is simultaneously inclusive and diverse, national and local, complex and simple, individual and communal. Whether you choose to define barbecue as a noun, verb, or adjective you will find the beginnings of barbecue on the shores of our conti- nent. The word ‘barbecue’ is the English translation of the Native American word “barbacoa”. A barbacoa is a raised wooden rack used to slowly roast large pieces of meat over a smoky fire. It was first recorded by Christopher Columbus in Cuba, but it had al- ready been widely used for over a thousand years throughout our country. When you consider all the traditions brought together by the immigrants, enslaved, and explorers to our country, you will begin to understand the deep roots in the recipes of our country and of our ‘cue.
Barbecue is served at military vic- tories, political rallies, church fundraisers, community gather- ings, family reunions, and game day with friends and family. Bar- becue brings people together, it always has. We can all use some togetherness at this time. Food recipes have often been called an- other form of communication. Barbecue is not just a food symbol of America and of democracy, it is our language. Every American in- cluding every U.S. President has a barbecue connection (P.C.B.). We have developed a barbecue quo- tient (B.Q.) to rank each US Presi- dent. It is based on a 10-point scale using the following scoring system criteria.
2 points- previous BBQ experience
2 points- campaign BBQ usage
2 points- in office BBQ exposure
2 points- out of office BBQ continuance 2 points- BBQ legacy
Over the next several months we will be reviewing all the US pres- idents to get their B.Q. score and highlight their connections to barbecue. We hope you will fire up your grill and enjoy this time- honored American tradition.
21. Chester Alan Arthur, 1881-1885
One word...Mutton Chops. This guy wore his burns like a boss, but of course that does not qualify as a legitimate BBQ connec- tion. Arthur became another accidental president when he as- sumed the office after the assassination of James Garfield. Arthur’s political enthusiasms began when he was 10 years old and attended a barbecue for the campaign of William Harrison (9th US President). The sights, sounds and of course the smells kept Arthur in the political world all his life. As a young lawyer he won a landmark case that desegregated the New York Public transportation system. He quickly rose through the political ranks and became a highly paid and highly connected politician. His opponents were concerned Arthur would be a very corrupt president and often made fun of his political connections.
In 1884 he signed the act establishing the Bureau of Animal In- dustry Act under the USDA. This the agency that is charged with
preventing diseased animals from being used as food, inspects and regulates the meat we eat, and after all you can’t have great BBQ without great meat? He also voted to curb “pork barrel” spend- ing by passing the Pendleton Act 1883.
Arthur was the first president to visit Yellowstone Park. In the summer of 1883 he took a 6-week outdoor adventure vacation to thepark that included hunting, fishing, and camping. All their meals were cooked over open fires. He was “shameless” out- doors man and spent more time hunting and fishing than any other president. Arthur was a record holding fisherman and his friends would often refer to him as the “First Angler in Chief”. B.Q. Score 5
By: Ed Reilly, Bbqologist
BarbecueNews.com - 36
AUGUST 2020