Page 32 - Barbecue News Magazine SEPT 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 is 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, local, complex, simple, individual, 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 continent. The word ‘barbecue’ is the English translation of the Native Amer- ican 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 already been widely used for over a thousand years throughout our coun- try. 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 ‘cue and coun- try.
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
ing 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
called another form of communication. Bar- becue is not just a food symbol of America and democracy; it is our language. Every Amer- ican including every
U.S. President has a connection to barbecue (P.C.B.). In the spirit of America and barbecue we have developed a barbecue quotient
score (B.Q.) to rank
each US President. It is based on a 10-point scale using the following scor-
President eating off a chuck wagon
Over the next several months we will review all the US Presidents to get their B.Q. score and highlight their presidential connec- tions to barbecue. We hope you will fire up your grill and enjoy this time-honored American tradition.
26-Theodore Roosevelt, 1901-1909
Roosevelt was only 42 years old, the youngest to ever be sworn in as President after the assignation of McKinley. Roosevelt had al- ready become a public figure and was known for his robust ap- proach to life and had written several books about the subject.
Weather he was leading the Cavalry in Cuba or hunting elephants in Africa Roosevelt embodied the heart of a bull moose that earned him both a congressional Medal of Honor and a Noble Peace Prize. His love for food followed his love of the outdoors and adventure.
He enjoyed fresh caught wild game like Lake Superior Whitefish boned and planked over a smoky fire. Nothing was more satisfy- ing than a huge chunk of meat, and to Roosevelt that meant steak, grilled to perfection. Some his comfort foods included pigs in a blanket and buckets of coffee which he regularly enjoyed cooked over a campfire on his many outdoor adventures.
As a lifelong outdoorsman he committed over 230 million acres to the National Parks and Resources for generations to enjoy. At one time he owned and operated Elkhorn, a cattle ranch in North Dakota which gave him an inside perspective of the beef industry. During his time as president he passed the Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act 1906 to protect the American Beef industry.
He is credited to helping save football and of course tailgating through his football summit in 1905. Coaches met and discussed new ways to make the sport safer after almost 50 players had died over the previous years.
Roosevelt was a complex man of many interests outside the polit- ical world which made him very popular with Americans. Perhaps the best-known image we have of him is from the famous hunting trip in Mississippi where he refused to kill a young bear which
was destined to be barbecued in the traditional southern manor. That bear became the iconic Teddy Bear that adorns every child’s
By: Ed Reilly, Bbqologist
BarbecueNews.com - 32
SEPTEMBER 2020