Follow Me Foodie to BBQ Events in Vancouver!

 Forget the “tweet up”, this is a MEAT up! 

Generally there are 4 distinct styles of BBQ (image from oysterfoodandculture.com)

Forget the “tweet up”, this is a MEAT up! Put down your phones or you’ll just get them greasy. This is food you eat with your hands. Carnivores unite, these are events you’ll want to start saving up calories for. But who are we kidding? Meatatarians rarely go on diets… or at least they’ll never admit to it out loud.

I have to start off with the chart. I recently featured it on my Peckinpah post, but it’s a good reminder that barbeque is not just barbeque. There is an art to the preparation and there is technique in the smoking, grilling and general cooking method. Even the wood used is specific and when it comes to the sauce, quite often it can just get in the way. On the other hand, some like it saucy, and who am I to argue? Sometimes sauce is the style so leave the wet naps at home because these events are finger lickin’ good. KFC What?! Leave the frying for the carnivals, this is all about the grill… or the smoker.

Whether you like a drier style of barbeque or a sticky and saucy style of barbeque, a vinegar based sauce or a Ketchup one, even the sauce will vary according to regions and area.

Sure I may be taking things too seriously, but really this is scratching the surface. If you’re serious about your barbeque than you’re likely aware of all these upcoming events happening in and around Vancouver. These events are for real BBQ lovers… who will travel for some of the best of the Northwest.

Actually, none of these events even take place in Vancouver and all of them take place in the good ‘ol burbs! Vancouver can have their fancy food, but when it comes down to a BBQ feast you have to go South… that actually applies on a larger scale of North America and the smaller scale of even Metro Vancouver.

What: 1st Annual North Surrey Auto Mall Car-B-Que

Date: Sunday, August 26, 2012

Time: 11am – 4pm

Meating Place: North Surrey Auto Mall in Guildford

The 1st Annual North Surrey Auto Mall Car-B-Que is taking place this Sunday on August 26! It is a one day only BBQ competition featuring 12 professional and non-professional barbeque teams from all over the Northwest. Teams will be featuring their BBQ recipes and samples will be available for the public to try. This event is free and open to the public with activities for children and the whole family… if they’re not vegetarian. Well there is face painting, but who likes eating paint?

Everyone cooks the exact same meat, in their own special way. The official competition categories are: Beef Tri-Tip, Salmon, Chicken and Ribs. There will also be a salsa and dessert component.

Competitive Team List
1. Helluva Q – Surrey, BC
2. The Porkaholics – Langley, BC
3. Hogshack – Richmond, BC
4. BBQ Bob & The Eh! Team – Whistler, BC
5. Sasquatch BBQ – Mission, BC
6. Rusty’s BBQ – Port Moody, BC
7. Big Ass BBQ – Chilliwack, BC
8. Plumtree BBQ – Burnaby, BC
9. Re-Up BBQ – New Westminster, BC
10. Roland’s Pub – Whistler, BC
11. Yolo Sticky Ribs – Victoria, BC
12. Rub My Butt – Langley, BC

These competitors have been officially licensed by the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association to compete in competitions of this nature. Every hour on the hour, starting at 11:00am, the teams turn their food into the judges for evaluation. At the end of the day, awards will be presented to the winners. For more information see here.

RE-UP BBQ Hosts their Labour Day Weekend BBQ & Urban Harvest Festival!

 What: Re-Up BBQ’s Labour Day Weekend BBQ & Urban Harvest Festival!

Date: Sunday, September 2, 2012

Time: 4:30pm – late

Meating Place: River Market at New West Quay, New Westminster

What: 7th Annual BBQ on the Bypass

Date: Sunday, September 16, 2012

Time: 10am – 4pm

Meating Place: 20771 Langley By-Pass

If you miss the other two events than you better save your meat sweats for this one! Last, but certainly not least is Metro Vancouver’s BIGGEST BBQ competition on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH! The 7th Annual BBQ on the Bypass is an open to the public all day free event.

I was invited to this event last year to judge the pie contest and burger competition and it’s a freaking sweet event. Every hour the public gets to go around all the stations and sample barbeque and the set up is similar to the North Surrey Auto Mall Car-B-Que – but even bigger. Honestly this event is a bang for your NO BUCK.

“See teams from the Pacific Northwest strut their BBQ stuff with their best recipes and techniques for barbequed ribs, chicken, pork butt, brisket, and a special Chef’s Choice category. And the best part is, you’ll be able to sample their creations for free! The BBQ on the Bypass also offers live entertainment from rock cover band OS5, vendors, displays, concessions and activities for the whole family!” – From BBQ on the Bypass website. For more information see here.