Brisket Bash Was a Perfect Intimate BBQ Event
The Brisket Bash featured an on-stage interview with pitmasters Robert Austin Cho (left) and Ash Fulk. (Photo by Mary Cleary / Hill Country)
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Last week, I was invited to be part of Brisket Bash, an intimate barbecue event at Hill Country Barbecue Market in Manhattan. The event featured two pitmasters – Ash Fulk of Hill Country and Robert Austin Cho of Kimchi Smoke – serving up their own briskets and then while people enjoyed the meats, I interviewed Ash and Robert on stage.
Attendees at the Brisket Bash wait in awe for Robert Austin Cho to slice his brisket. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
Both Ash and Robert served up top-notch brisket that wouldn’t have been out of place at an event like Brisket King NYC, in which both pitmasters had previously participated. Both briskets were Central Texas-style but the event let you do a side-by-side comparison to let you catch the subtle differences between the two. One other difference was Ash served his brisket with chow chow, while Robert served his with kimchi.
Attendees got to try two killer briskets from Hill Country and Kimchi Smoke. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
While everyone was eating, I sat down with Ash and Robert to talk about their careers, brisket cooking tips, the state of barbecue in New York and New Jersey, and more. The two pitmasters also answered audience questions.
The interview with Robert Austin Cho and Ash Fulk at the Brisket Bash was a lot of fun. (Photo by Mary Cleary / Hill Country)
Roughly 50 people attended the Thursday night event, and it turned out to be the perfect size for a brisket tasting and a fun interview. Attendees were able to eat a ton of brisket, and it was not a rush to try all the samples like at a traditional food festival. The relaxed atmosphere also meant barbecue enthusiasts could chat it up before and after the interview session, forging connections over smoked meat and drinks.
Ash Fulk served up fatty, moist Texas brisket at the Brisket Bash. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
Thank you to Ash Fulk for inviting me to take part in the Bash, and I hope to be involved with more events like this in the future.
Sean Ludwig
Founder, NYC BBQ
EAT ALL ABOUT IT (NEWS)
Black Tap Burgers made Gotham Magazine’s list of top burgers in NYC. (Photo by Black Tap Burgers)
Here are the top BBQ and related food news stories you need to know about this week:
There are a lot of incredible burgers in NYC but it’s hard to keep track of them all. Gotham Magazine has a great new list of the “ten most jaw-dropping burgers in New York City,” including the Emmy Double Stacked Burger at Emily, the Mulberry Street Burger at Black Tap, the Banh Mi Burger at Saigon Social, and the Black Truffle Burger at Nowon. READ MORE.
Jersey City will soon get a new barbecue joint called Boots & Bones, across the street from the Grove Street PATH train. Kenny Callaghan, the original chef/pitmaster at New York City’s Blue Smoke, will be creating the menu at the joint. READ MORE.
Eater NY created a great video that shows how Pecking House makes one of NYC’s best fried chicken sandwiches. The sandwich incorporates Chinese spices with Southern fried chicken goodness. WATCH HERE.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has outlined “10 barbecue restaurants in Pittsburgh that are worth the napkins,” including Blowfish BBQ, Mitch’s BBQ, and Walter’s Southern Kitchen. READ HERE.
The Rock, Ribs, and Ridges Festival will host a lot of rock ‘n’ roll and barbecue vendors later this month.
Here are the top BBQ and related food events coming soon to the New York metro area:
June 24-26, 2022: The Rock, Ribs & Ridges Festival is back in 2022. Held at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in NJ, this event will feature lots of stands serving up ribs, alongside rock and roll acts from the past several decades. BUY TICKETS HERE.
July 8-10, 2022: The New Jersey State Barbecue Championship and Anglesea Blues Festival will soon take place again in North Wildwood, NJ. The New Jersey State Barbecue Championship is a three-day open-air festival featuring a championship barbecue competition, live cooking demonstrations, special displays, and food and beverage vendors to satisfy every taste and appetite. The Anglesea Blues Festival features both national and regional blues musicians and is held in conjunction with the championship. MORE INFO HERE.
September 10, 2022: Pig Island NYC will celebrate its 13th year on September 10, 2022, at Snug Harbor on Staten Island. Join in for all-inclusive food and drink, from all-star pitmasters and chefs who will be serving up delicious porky goodness, as well as local breweries, distilleries, and cideries. Top chefs will compete for the best dishes and event-goers reap the benefits. Expect a ton of amazing eats and a great place to picnic with friends and family for the day. BUY TICKETS HERE.
Please get in touch if you would like your food event listed here!
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