Page 12 - Barbecue News April 2020 Issue

Presidential Connections
to Barbecue (P.C.B.)
By: Ed Reilly
The office of the presidency is 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 the land of these despots. The 13 original colonies declared their independence and wrote the Constitution because they knew to survive they would need to stick close together.
In much the same way barbecue was originally designed to be of service. Nobody prepares barbecue for just one person, it’s always for family, friends, church, social or special occasions. And just like our founding fathers intended for our country, barbecue also 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 some- thing 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 its beginnings on the shores of our continent. The word ‘barbecue’ is the English translation of the Native American word “barbacoa”. The barbacoa is a raised wooden rack used to slowly roast large pieces of meat over a smoky fire. It was first witnessed by Christopher Columbus in
All photos courtesy of Ed Reilly
Cuba, but it had already widely practiced for over a thousand years throughout our country. When you consider all the tradi- tions brought by the immigrants, enslaved, and explorers to our country and you will begin to understand the deep roots in the recipes of our country and 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 be- cause no one prepares barbecue just for themselves. We can all use some togetherness at this time. Food, especially cooking, has been said to be another form of communication. Barbecue is the food symbol of America and of democracy. Every U.S. President has a connection to barbecue (P.C.B.) and so we have developed a barbecue quotient (B.Q.) to rank each of the past presidents. It is based on a ten-point scoring system using the following criteria.
2 points previous BBQ experience
2 points campaign BBQ usage
2 points in office BBQ exposure
2 points after office BBQ continuance 2 points BBQ legacy
Over the next several months we will be highlighting all the presi- dents of the United States and their connections to barbecue.
George Washington (1789-1797) The first leader of our nation took an early lead in setting our national barbecue tempo. Whether he was hosting a large political rally, attending a military celebration, or just hanging out with his neighbors all night, Washington really enjoyed barbecue events and wrote about them frequently in his diaries. Perhaps the most symbolic image is the portrait of him laying the corner stone of our nation’s capital where a 500-pound ox was barbecued. Politics and barbecue, to- gether forever. BQ 10
George Washington laid the corner stone of the The White House during a BBQ celebration.
Capitol Cornerstone Ceremony, 1793; 1974 Hall of Capitols, First Floor, House Wing
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