Latest news with #Texas-style
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
A Barbecue Revival: National BBQ Festival Finds New Life in Nassau County
Barbecue fans, mark your calendars. After more than a decade on ice, the National BBQ Festival is firing back up—this time, with Nassau County, Long Island, as its home base. From June 13 to 15, Eisenhower Park in East Meadow will host the long-awaited return of one of the country's boldest BBQ events. With dozens of competitive teams, a $100,000 purse, and enough smoked meat to satisfy an army, the revived National BBQ Festival is aiming to become Long Island's newest summertime tradition. If you've never heard of it, you're not alone. But in barbecue circles, this festival is legendary. From 2002 to 2011, it ran in Douglas and Waycross, Georgia, where it drew tens of thousands and quickly outgrew its space. Fourteen years later, it's back—new location, new format, same commitment to smoke, fire, and fierce competition. Advertisement Varunee – From Small-Town Georgia to Suburban New York The move from Georgia to Nassau County is a big shift—but a strategic one. Long Island's food scene has grown more ambitious over the past decade. There's space, proximity to the city, and a crowd that loves great food. Eisenhower Park, with over 900 acres of public space, offers a rare combo: open land, built-in infrastructure, and easy access for millions. At the heart of the festival is the competition, where top BBQ teams from across the country will go head-to-head in categories like brisket, ribs, pork, chicken, and whole hog. Adding a local twist, the event will also feature a meatball cook-off and a Long Island Iced Tea competition—two uniquely Long Island favorites. And it's not just about flavor. Judges will be scoring entries based on timing, texture, technique, and presentation. A Full-On Weekend Experience Advertisement While the competition fires up the pitmasters, the real draw for attendees is the unlimited BBQ samples included with admission. Guests can feast their way through the Live Fire Experience, sampling signature dishes from top pitmasters across the country. Beyond the bites, the weekend also features craft beer and wine tastings, live fire cooking demos, chef appearances, and family-friendly programming. And the flavor doesn't stop at the grill—live music runs all weekend, including a Saturday night performance by West Coast rap legend Warren G, who'll also be competing with his own BBQ team. Thryon Mathews Beth Petsche The Live Fire Experience will showcase bites from top pitmasters, including 'Captain' Ron Dimpflmaier and 16-time Grand Champion Thyron Mathews. Expect everything from oxtail and tomahawk steak to Texas-style brisket and 'mop sauce' ribs. What to Expect Yes, there will be smoke. Yes, there will be rows of custom smokers. And yes, you'll leave smelling like brisket. But that's the point. Between demos, tastings, and live music, this is one of the most satisfying weekends of the year. Advertisement There's also a Kids Zone with carnival games, giveaways, and family-friendly demos. Oyster Bay Brewing Company will debut a custom 'Smoke & Tide' beer on-site. General Admission and VIP ticket options are available, with perks like reserved seating and exclusive tastings. Final Thoughts In a crowded calendar of food events, the National BBQ Festival stands out for its heritage, and its heart. This is real-deal barbecue, built on craft, culture, and community. Just don't wear white.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Cowboy hats, leather boots: At Norway Chess games, grandmasters wander out of comfort zone of 64 squares on rest day
About 50 people burst into applause as a lasso from world champion Gukesh almost lands on the neck of a wooden bull that he's supposed to rein in. Someone informs Ju Wenjun, the women's world champion and his partner in the challenge, that so far Gukesh has come the closest to throwing the lasso around the neck of the wooden bull. 'That's good, but do we get any points?' the Chinese grand master wants to know. Welcome to the Norway Chess Games, an annual rite that happens every year on the first rest day of the tournament. It's an occasion for players to let their hair down while still competing with each other in unique challenges. Or, in this case, wear their cowboy hats, sport Texas-style leather boots and giddy up for little side quests while forgetting the tension of chess just for a few hours. The idea of the event has been to take the players out of their 64-squared comfort zones. In past editions of Norway Chess, players like five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand have had to milk cows, cook halibut with hollandaise sauce, and drive tractors. Other contests have included fencing, archery, playing football while being in a zorb ball, making designs for sweaters. After missing the event last year, this year's Norway Chess Games takes the contests to another level by incorporating multiple tasks. Barring Sara Khadem, who was under the weather, all the players competing in the tournament gathered at Westernbyen, a cowboy ranch of sorts in Algard on Friday. Carlsen competes with his wife Ella since Khadem has dropped out. Gukesh is paired with Wenjun, Arjun Erigaisi and Koneru Humpy join hands in an all-India team while Vaishali is partnered with Fabiano Caruana. The Carlsens win the event, finishing just ahead of Hikaru Nakamura and Anna Muzychuk. The highlight of the day is the Carlsen couple casually roasting each other while also egging each other on in events like lasso throwing. Each team of two had to go around the facility competing in various tasks which earned them points: there is rifle shooting, axe throwing, lasso throwing, horseshoe pitching and quiz questions. And to top it all off, there's also a challenge called 'posing aesthetically with a pony', which requires players to get on top of the horse to gain bonus points. A few adventurous ones do this, like Ella, Arjun and Humpy. Gukesh and Wenjun excuse themselves after the Chinese almost pulls a muscle while trying to mount the horse the first time. Humpy is among the best at rifle shooting, hitting one in the 10 ring and then proudly taking the target home as a keepsake. 'I wish my daughter was here. She would have really enjoyed this,' she says with a grin. At the other end, Wei Yi, who is partnered with compatriot Lei Tingjie, nails a horseshoe pitch. Past editions of the Norway Chess games have led to some hilarious tales that will go down in chess folklore. There was the time when Dutch GM Anish Giri tried to warm up for an event by running laps around an athletics track. But by the time he finished his warm up laps, he was so out of breath that he could not compete. But the most famous tale at the event is when former world champion Ding Liren joined hands with Anand to compete in the cooking contest and win, despite having a fractured hip. The story goes that Ding had gone cycling on the rest day in the morning and had crashed, leading to a hip injury. But he thought he could walk it off, so despite being in severe pain, he had shown up for the cooking contest to partner Anand. He spent the whole contest in a chair, unable to stand up, but ended up chopping veggies for Anand. Recently in an event organised by Norway Chess in Mumbai, Anand had called winning that cooking contest as his favourite memory from the event. 'Ding couldn't even move. He could not get out of the chair. He could just cut the vegetables. He cut them so accurately, slicing them in perfect cubes. We were given halibut and we were supposed to prepare it with hollandaise sauce,' Anand recently recollected. Anand recalled that one of the reasons he loved that win was because other competitors like Levon Aronian and Maxime Vachier Lagrave had spent time talking up their cooking abilities. Levon bragged in great detail about how he had learnt cooking from his great grandmother. He said he had amazing recipes for Thai dishes. Maxime, meanwhile, just said that he was French so he was a great hand at cooking. Anand admits to making one blunder at the event: he put the fish into the oven and pressed a button. He thought the oven was on, but realised five minutes later it wasn't. 'I lost some time there. But my hollandaise sauce was apparently perfect,' Anand said before pointing out that his wife had tasted it and given it her seal of approval. 'But I suffered when I had to milk a cow one year. I won the cooking show but the cow milking did not work out well,' Anand had recently admitted on the Norway Chess broadcast where Gukesh spoke about his experience in 2023 when players were asked to design a sweater pattern and then knit it. He was then asked if he was ready to compete at whatever the organisers had in store for him on Friday. When asked if he would like dancing, he said he would do okay with that. 'As long as there is no cooking and there is some sport I should do okay,' he grinned. (The writer is in Stavanger at the invitation of Norway Chess) Amit Kamath is Assistant Editor at The Indian Express and is based in Mumbai. ... Read More
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Inside Swindon's newest restaurant 'going down a storm' with locals
Staff at a new restaurant in Swindon have been 'blown away' by the positive response from locals after a successful opening weekend. Hickory's Smokehouse in Middleleaze was scheduled to open on Monday, May 26 but work to transform the former Brookhouse Farm Hungry Horse pub ran ahead of schedule and the team opened up the restaurant three days early. A spokesperson for the restaurant said they have been 'blown away' by the reaction from guests coming in to be the first to test out the new eatery over a busy bank holiday weekend. "Once we announced that we were able to open a little earlier than planned, guests heard the news and came to check out their new smokehouse", a spokesperson said. "So far, the team are settling in well, guests seem to love what we have done with the place and our smokehouse classics seem to be going down a storm." The Texan restaurant features a relaxed neighbourhood bar area, large sporting screens and cosy booths. For younger visitors, the site boasts a 'movie room' with specially designed menus, an interactive fro-co (frozen custard) creation station and an outdoor play area. The menu includes dishes such as Memphis ribs, Texas-style brisket and BBQ pulled pork, which are all smoked using hickory wood. (Image: Hickory's Smokehouse) (Image: Hickory's Smokehouse) (Image: Hickory's Smokehouse) Milkshakes, burgers, steaks and fajitas are expected to be popular choices, and the restaurant assures that vegetarians are also covered on the menu. The Chester-based company opened their first Hickory's in the city over 15 years ago and now has restaurants across the Midlands, Yorkshire, North Wales, and one in Gloucester. The Swindon branch is the first of its kind in Wiltshire. Staff at Hickory's say they're "thrilled to be opening in Swindon", and can't believe the warm welcome they've had. Recommended reading Swindon's top-rated Indian restaurant still on the market as price reduced "We are beyond happy to be in Swindon," said general manager Ajay Palmer, a Swindon local. "I have been part of the Hickory's family for over seven years now, and to be finally opening here in my hometown is an absolute privilege. "We have all been overwhelmed by the welcome we have had, and we cannot wait to introduce them to our new home and hopefully convert a whole host of new fans to all things BBQ." To kick off the opening, Hickory's invited over 300 guests to come and try their menu, including representatives from Swindon Town FC, locally based charities, schools and businesses.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Food Picks: GastroBeats food festival returns from May 29 to June 22 at Bayfront Event Space
Go all out with Jett Barbecue's Everything Platter ($135), which includes a full beef rib, beef cheek tacos, loaded tater tots and mashed potatoes. PHOTO: COCA-COLA SINGAPORE Food Picks: GastroBeats food festival returns from May 29 to June 22 at Bayfront Event Space SINGAPORE – Popular food festival GastroBeats makes its return once again, running from May 29 to June 22 at the Bayfront Event Space next to Marina Bay Sands. Judging from the media preview on May 27 , this may well be my favourite edition so far for its curation of food vendors, plenty of photo spots and overall ambience with live music and spacious seating. It is pet-friendly too. A major plus point is the return of some familiar brands – delivery-only Jett Barbecue, famed for its show-stopping Texas-style smoked dino beef ribs (from $19 for 100g) and smoked beef cheek tacos ($24 for two pieces); La Levain bakery, dishing out sourdough pizzas with Asian touches such as nasi lemak, tom yam and laksa ($13.80 for half, $22.80 for whole); and Warabimochi Kamakura, with its event-exclusive kinako strawberry royale (from $13.90), kinako Hokkaido milk (from $10.90) and black sesame warabimochi ($19.90 for 10 pieces). Kamakura Warabimochi's black sesame warabimochi (left) and Kinako Strawberry Royale Warabimochi Drink. PHOTOS: WARABIMOCHI KAMAKURA There is also Golden Bao, which I first discovered at the Kampong Gelam Ramadan Bazaar in March, churning out the popular handmade 'Chinese roti'. Then there are new discoveries for me. Slurp Your Oysters offers fresh oysters (from $16 for three) – raw or grilled – topped with garlic chilli, mentaiko or Thai chilli; and No Time Hot Pot (from $14.80) for convenient hotpot in a cup which I had missed at GastroBeats in 2024. Slurp Your Oysters offers fresh oysters – raw or grilled – with different toppings. PHOTO: COCA-COLA SINGAPORE Beat the heat with drinks such as the new Somersby Mango & Lime cider and Carlsberg beer at its retro-cool Carlsberg Kopitiam booth. Coca-Cola Singapore has an Insta-worthy section to take photos, play games to win merchandise or personalis e d rink cans. Get $1 off your drink when you buy a Coca-Cola combo from any food stall at the event. End the night at the immersive music experience Rewind Replay Remix: SG Edition (from $19.90 a person, including one drink, 30 to 45 minutes a session). There are three air-conditioned zones with pumping music that take you from the retro to disco to Y2K eras. Or walk off the food coma around the Marina Bay, which is set aglow with art installations by light festival i Light Singapore. Where: Bayfront Event Space (next to Marina Bay Sands), 12A Bayfront Avenue MRT: Bayfront When: May 29 to June 22, 4 to 11pm daily Info: and Check out ST's Food Guide for the latest foodie recommendations in Singapore.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
$5 Brisket Sandwich + Free Side for Rewards Members Today Only
Celebrate the Slow-Smoked Tradition of Texas Brisket on May 28 with Unbeatable Deals from Dickey's Barbecue $5 Brisket Sandwich + Free Side for Rewards Members Today Only Dallas, TX, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dickey's Barbecue, the world's largest barbecue concept, is bringing the heat this National Brisket Day, Wednesday, May 28, with two mouthwatering offers designed to delight barbecue lovers nationwide. Known for its authentic, slow-smoked Texas-style brisket, Dickey's is celebrating its signature meat with a $5 Brisket Sandwich available to all guests and a free Signature side for Big Yellow Cup Rewards members. National Brisket Day Offers Promotion 1 – $5 Texas Brisket Sandwich for EveryoneFor one day only, guests can enjoy Dickey's famous Texas Brisket Sandwich for just $5 – a tender, smoky classic that's slow-smoked to perfection and piled high on a toasted bun. This deal is valid in-store, online at and through the Dickey's App, limited to one per transaction. Promotion 2 – Free Signature Side for Big Yellow Cup Rewards MembersLoyalty has its rewards. All registered Big Yellow Cup Rewards members will receive a free small Signature Side – the perfect complement to that $5 brisket sandwich. Guests can redeem this offer any time within 7 days of National Brisket Day. 'Brisket is at the heart of who we are. It's the recipe that built Dickey's and made us a trusted name in barbecue,' said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. 'National Brisket Day is our chance to honor our roots and say thank you to the guests who continue to support real, slow-smoked barbecue. We're excited to offer unbeatable deals and a taste of true Texas flavor.' Founded in 1941, Dickey's has earned its reputation by smoking all meats on-site, using hickory wood and time-honored techniques passed down through generations. Brisket, in particular, remains the crown jewel of the menu. 'We've built a legacy on brisket – how we smoke it, serve it and share it,' said Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey's Capital Group. 'We're proud to celebrate National Brisket Day with a bold offer that brings more folks to the pit. Whether you're a longtime fan or a first-time guest, this is the perfect time to experience authentic Texas barbecue.' Join the Big Yellow Cup Rewards Program To make the most of future deals, guests are encouraged to join the Big Yellow Cup Rewards Program via the Dickey's App or online. Members earn points on every purchase and receive access to exclusive offers, promotions, and surprises throughout the year. For more information or to order online, visit About Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Founded in 1941 by the Dickey family, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is the world's largest barbecue concept and continues as a third-generation family-run business. For more than 80 years, Dickey's Barbecue Pit has served millions with its signature Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™ Slow-smoked over hickory wood-burning pits, Dickey's barbecued meats are paired with a variety of Southern sides. Committed to authentic barbecue, Dickey's never takes shortcuts — because real barbecue can't be rushed. With more than 866 restaurants across eight concepts in the U.S. and several countries, Dickey's Barbecue Franchise and Dickey's Restaurant Brands continue to grow under the leadership of Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey's Capital Group, and Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Dickey's has been recognized on Newsweek's 2022 "America's Favorite Restaurant Chains" list, Nation's Restaurant News 2024 top fast-casual brands for value, and USA Today's 2021 Readers' Choice Awards. The brand has also ranked in the Top 20 of Fast Casual's 'Top 100 Movers and Shakers' for four of the past five years. Additional accolades include Entrepreneur's Top 500 Franchise and Hospitality Technology's Industry Heroes list. The brand has been featured by Fox News, Forbes, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine. For more information, visit For franchise opportunities, visit Attachment $5 Brisket Sandwich + Free Side for Rewards Members Today Only CONTACT: Louisa Garrett Dickey's Barbecue Pit lgarrett@
