28
Mar

The One-7: Chris Lilly

Chopping pork at the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party. Photo by Ken Goodman

Chopping pork at the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party. Photo by Ken Goodman

Chris is a respected restaurateur, fierce competitor, and cherished friend. We’re fortunate to spend time with him and the McLemore/extended Big Bob Gibson family at a number of events each year. Mike will tell you that no Memphis in May is complete without a slice of that famous Big Bob Gibson pie. I was on the team of finals judges who awarded Chris his third World Grand Champion title at Memphis in May in 2011, enabling him to join the ranks of Apple City Barbecue and Jack’s Old South in the exclusive three-time Memphis in May World Grand Champion club. Here’s Chris’s take on the One-7:

1. Travel destination: Rocky Mountains

2. Favorite cut of meat to cook: Ribs {pork, beef, lamb}

3. Favorite pie: Chocolate Pecan

4. Best gift received: My children

5. Hero: My father

6. BBQ joint I’d like to visit: any jerk shack in Jamaica

7. Words I live by: “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” ~Albert Einstein

Visit Chris at Big Bob Gibson in Decatur, Alabama and add his book to your collection. He’s also featured in Peace, Love, and Barbecue. You can see Chris on a number of shows about barbecue including the Kingsford Invitational {of which he was the host} and BBQ Pitmasters.

The One-7 spotlights barbecue luminaries and gives a little insight into their worlds.

27
Mar

Big Apple Barbecue Block Party Fast Passes for sale now!

Photo by Dominick Mastrangelo

Big Apple Barbecue Block Party founding pitmasters and organizers: Kenny Callaghan, Danny Meyer, Ed Mitchell, Mark Maynard-Parisi {peeking over Chris’s shoulder}, Chris Lilly, and Mike Mills.  Photo by Dominick Mastrangelo

The Big Apple Barbecue Block Party is one of our favorite events. This year’s festivities will be held June 8-9 at Madison Square Park in New York City. This one-of-a-kind festival brings together 17 of America’s most celebrated pitmasters to showcase the best of regional American barbecue. This is a charity event and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Madison Square Park Conservancy.

If you’re planning to attend, click over to the Block Party website to buy your Fast Pass NOW. They WILL sell out! You can purchase a pass for Saturday and/or Sunday and it allows you and a friend access to a faster line behind the rows of pitmasters. Each pass costs $125 and has $100 worth of punches you can redeem for barbecue at any of the pitmasters’ stands.

If you’d like a glimpse behind the scenes, click through these galleries of photos from previous years. 2012 {which was the 10th anniversary of the event}, 2011, and 2010.

Keep an eye out here for more information as the event draws near … and we’ll be doing a special giveaway to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the event.

Are you planning to attend? What are your favorite tips for making the most of the experience?