Page 36 - Barbecue News June 2020 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 ‘cue and country.
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 democracy; it is our language. Every American 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 scoring 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 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.
13. Millard Fillmore, 1850-1853
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Millard Fillmore became president after the death of Zachary Tay- lor. He and Taylor did not get along and most of Taylor’s cabinet left soon after Fillmore took office. Fillmore support of the Fugi- tive Slave Law and The Compromise of 1850 which left him un- popular at the end of his administration and still considered one of the least remembered U.S. Presidents today. Fillmore loved books and installed the first permanent library in the White House. He also put in first indoor cast iron cook stove and bath- tub with running water. Much later in the 1970’s it led to the cre- ation of annual barbecue and land “bathtub” races to raise money in the town he was born. His last words before he died are re- ported to be “the nourishment from barbecue is palatable”.
B.Q. Score: 2
14. Franklin Pierce, 1853-1857
Franklin Pierce was called the obscurity candidate because, so lit- tle was known of him prior to the election; he offered the country a “clean slate”. He was modest and led a very quiet campaign, gave very few speeches and did very little travel. He thought the office should seek the man, not the man the office. The New York Herald called him the “Boy President” because he was only 48 years old and could “pass through the crowds, unobserved”. After office Pierce said his “personal regret and bitter sorrow over which I have been born to a position so suitable for others”. On his departure from the White House he burned all his papers and he left no memoirs. As president he did receive invitations to bar- becue celebrations for political victories, but no records exist showing that he accepted or attended.
In August of 1852 Pierce held a campaign rally in his home state of New Hampshire where about 25,000 people attended. A large stone barbecue pit was built for the occasion and can still be seen at the original location. This was the first and last time the bar-
becue pit was used.
B.Q. Score: 2
By: Ed Reilly