For the last few years, the weekend after the August long weekend has been big doing’s here in Kamloops. We have a trifecta of events – Music in the Park, Hot Nights in the City, and Ribfest. It is a great weekend of music, classic cars and BBQ – and BBQ – and more BBQ.
Now, I am a devout Meatatarian. Green ‘stuff’ is my foods food. And at the pinnacle of the meat pyramid, is Prime Rib, but that is a subject for another day. Right under Prime Rib, is any suitable cut of meat that is cooked low and slow, and in the presence of copious amounts of hardwood smoke. Done properly, cheap tough cuts of meat come out tender, juicy and full of all sorts of flavour. This is the world of BBQ.
Oh, I should probably explains something first – that propane box on your deck is not a BBQ – it doesn’t do BBQ, and while it can grill up some great food, it is just that, a Grill. So, what is the difference? Glad you asked! A BBQ is a cooker box that cooks meat, preferably over indirect heat, at around 220 degrees, for hours – and hours – and hours. It is what they call “Low and Slow”. This breaks down the connective tissues and turns them into a juicy flavourful addition to the meat they are in. Combine that with the smoke from the hardwood of choice, and a rub for the meat, maybe a mop for while it is cooking, and you can start to see where BBQ is much more an art than a science.
BBQ really is an art. Every region of the south has its own take, and despite the competitiveness that comes from the sense of local pride, each has its own amazing flavour. Each Pitmaster has his or her own way of preparing the meat, seasoning it, and cooking it. At Ribfest, a half dozen of these meat artists come together with their huge smokers and all the supplies to compete in front of judges and us common folk to take home the trophies for best in a variety of categories.
For me Ribfest represents two things. First, it is a weekend to indulge in the amazing food put forth, and to use my taste buds to learn from what each of the teams is doing. Secondly, it is a chance to (over, way over)indulge in BBQ without having to do anything more complicated that pull out my wallet. No cleaning the smoker, no rubbing down ribs, no brining chicken – just go eat. And by saying over indulge, I mean to the point of ridiculousness (and infamy at work).
Ribfest starts on Friday at 11:00 am. Perfect, make it a Brisket sandwich from Prairie Smoke and Spice for lunch. Then let’s see – what should we have for dinner? Oh look, there are ribs over there! And chicken… and cornbread… and beans!
Saturday ends up being a carbon copy of Friday, just different competitors offerings. Sunday, we broke with the pattern and went for a single rib tasting meal, with half a rack from 5 of the 6 competitors. We had ribs, chicken, brisket, pulled pork, beans, slaw, cornbread, ice cream and mini donuts – at least those are the things I remember.
Now, I have to stop and this point and express my love for a very special lady, and her son Steven and his sweetheart Merq. They, without complaint, followed Sir Pork of Gluttony from booth to booth for 3 days, consuming a slightly less ridiculous amount of Q than I did. I normally do the cooking for us, and this is my weekend off, so they were great sports to allow me this indulgence.
I could spend pages and pages going over the offering each competitor put forth. Fortunately for you, the pages of my notebook are stuck together with BBQ sauce. And besides, if I have to explain what good BBQ is (if I could), you won’t understand. I just have to point you in the direction of your local Ribfest, and let you discover the amazing textures and flavours that you can create with brisket, ribs (beef and pork) chicken and pulled pork. Only then will you understand the attraction and addiction of real BBQ. And if after you experience it you don’t see the magic, that is fine cuz it means more for me! 😉
As mentioned, Ribfest in Kamloops combines with Hot Nights in the City. This is a car show that stretches for a dozen blocks or so in downtown, the streets are closed off and there is every type, size and shape of vehicle you can imagine. Oh yeah – and if you show up at night for Hot Nights in the City, you will be SOL – it happens in the daytime. I don’t know, I just report the news <shrug>.
And throughout the event we have Music in the Park. Sponsored by BC Lottery Corporation, this is summer long live concert series that takes place each and every night in the Riverside Park. The stage is concert worthy, and the variety of music over the season encompasses every kind of music you can imagine. For Ribfest this year, we had tribute bands on Friday night covering Pat Benatar and Heart, and then a Tom Petty tribute band on Saturday. Perfect for the Ribfest happening in the same park space.
If you’re new to Q, or just love good food and like trying new things, you have to hit your closest Ribfest. If you’re near Kamloops, you need to come here and experience not just Ribfest, but all of the other things that the weekend has to offer.
Hope to see you here next year!!
