Page 41 - NOV2020 BNM Digital Issue

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 victories, political rallies, church fundraisers, community gatherings, family reunions, and game day with friends and family. Barbecue brings people together, it always has. We can all use some togetherness at this time. Food recipes have often been called another form of communication. Barbecue is not just a food symbol of America and of democracy,
By: Ed Reilly, Bbqologist
it is our language. Every American including every U.S. President has a barbecue connection (P.C.B.). We have developed a barbe- cue quotient (B.Q.) to rank each US President. 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.
Herbert Hoover (1929-
1933) Hoover’s presiden-
tial campaigned on “a
chicken in every pot and
a car in every garage” to
continue the prosperity
of the 1920’s. But soon
after taking office the
Great Depression hit the
nation. To escape the
pressures of DC politics
he built Camp Rapidan,
the first presidential re-
treat which included a
large barbecue area (in-
spired after the barbecue
pit built in Couchwood
retreat in Arkansas).
Each year on his arrival the town threw a huge barbecue including a 5,000 squirrel Brunswick stew. He declined the stew but enjoyed
the barbecue beef and chicken instead. Hoover was a master ad- ministrator and was responsible for feeding millions of people during WWI and ran the US Food Administration. Hoover was the longest living ex-president until Jimmy Carter and served in many administrations after his term.
B.Q.Score 4
Franklin Roosevelt (1933-1945) Roosevelt was president for four consecutive terms, he fought the Great Depression, WWII, and polio while in office. He gave over 30 fireside chats over the radio and was the first president to be televised. In June of 1939 King George VI became the first sitting British Monarch to visit the United States and His Majesty was treated to a barbecue picnic at Roosevelts home in New York. This informal barbecue event was intended to warm up the American public to help with the British
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NOVEMBER 2020