Page 14 - FEB 2021 Digial Edition

cooking for Sue and she loves for me doing it for her. By the way: she is still my valentine.
- Ken Fluker, Alabama barbecue pitmaster, Certified Barbe- cue Judge & barbecue enthusiast
My reaction to that statement means that when they are barbecu- ing they take Great Care in what they are doing. It's not just a slab of ribs or a hunk of beef! It's going to be a meal to experience, a meal to eat and enjoy and they are going to take great care in preparing the feast, or Supper for family -friends or judges! They take pride in every aspect of the preparation is the secret, cook- ing, and serving. This is the secret to the LOVE!
- Paul Kirk. KC Baron of Barbeque, CWC. PhB, BSAS
My thoughts when someone tells me "Love is the secret to my Barbecue", I feel they are saying:
They LOVE BBQ in general. Their Greetings!! 'HUGS', as stated many times before, BBQ folks do not shake hands, they HUG!!!!! Comradery. Being with old friends. Meeting new friends. Remi- niscing. Sharing new and old experiences. Sharing their passion for BBQ. Looking forward to their next contest, will you be there? Discussing cookers, which is best, which do you use? So many dif- ferent discussions, these come to mind first.
- Marge Plummer, Ph.B.. Master Certified Barbecue Judge, Tennessee pitmaster, barbecue enthusiast & contest volun- teer
My experience with the bbq community has left me with an in- delible impression of love in regard to BBQ. Love has many defini- tions and types but the most predominant love I have noticed in the BBQ community is passion. So many people in the BBQ com- munity have an undying passion for what they do. It's a commit- ment to excellence and the passion that drives them to reach that goal. It's truly inspiring.
- Anonymous
The BBQ Family is brought together with one very common bond, their love for good BBQ. The butcher must love his trade to pro- vide us with exactly the right cut of meat. The Pitmaster must love his role of smoking the meat over open fire, nothing is worse than under-cooked or overcooked BBQ. The final recipient, whether Judge or layman, must love the end product and enjoy what brings us all together, the love of BBQ.
- Mike Garrison, The Flying BBQ Judge, MCFI, CFII, MEI, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner
I love the cooking process--the smell of smoke, the seasoning of the protein, the low and slow method. Best of all, I love the smiles of family and friends at first bite. Barbecue makes people HAPPY! - Anonymous
When someone serious about barbecue says “Love is the secret to my barbecue”, the statement has two meanings. The first refers to the diligence, patience and loving care given to the grilling or smoking effort. The second refers to the reward — loving the re- sults.
- Bruce Daniel, pitmaster, The Passion of Barbeque author, historian, barbecue enthusiast
When someone says Love is the secret ingredient to my BBQ I take that to mean that they have taken their time making it. They
didn’t rush the process to get it over with, they paid great care and attention to the many details and processes that it takes to make tender, delicious BBQ. The pitmaster enjoyed the process and took his/her time in the making of the food as they are pas- sionate about achieving great results for the diner. This brings to mind the song "You can’t hurry Love". Like most art the songs meaning is subjective but it may in fact have originally been writ- ten about BBQ!
- Ray Sheehan, BBQ Guru, pitmaster, award winning BBQ sauce & rub master, author of 2020 Barbecue News Book of the Year, Award Winning BBQ Sauces and How to Use Them
Great BBQ comes from the heart, showing friends and family that you care enough about them to put in that extra time and effort necessary to create something truly special for their plate.
- Clint Cantwell, SVP of Whatever, AmazingRibs.com, Mem- phian, Certified Barbecue Judge and international barbecue expert
The first thing that comes to mind for me is my visits to many restaurants in my travels. I think of the Jones sisters at Jones Bar- B-Q who told me their food is made with love. Helen Turner also said the same thing to me in Brownsville, Tennessee. At Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ in Austin, they have signs up every- where that say "Hecho Con Amore" as well. What these places have in common for me is that you are welcomed with open arms and get the sense that you are not just a customer, you are a member of their family. You can feel that love in the atmosphere at each of those places, you can taste it in the food, and you hear it when you talk to the pitmasters who make the food. They put extra effort into their food because they really care about the peo- ple who are eating their barbecue.
- Ryan Cooper, founder of BBQ Tourist and co-founder of The Smoke Sheet BBQ Newsletter
Love is a feeling and actions, not a flavor—yet, you know at first bite whether the barbecue on your plate was made with love.
A hearty THANKS to Cupid’s Helpers for your excellent insights!
Here’s wishing everyone full measures of love in the barbecue you serve and the barbecue you eat—now and forever.
Happy Valentine’s Month! Peace, Love & Barbecue to all!
BarbecueNews.com - 14
FEBRUARY 2021