Camp Brisket background

Camp Brisket is a joint venture between Foodways Texas and the Meat Science Section of the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University that explores all facets of the centerpiece of Texas Barbecue, the beef brisket. The camp is coordinated by meat science educators, Davey Griffin, Ray Riley, and Jeff Savell. The first camp was held in January 2013 with subsequent camps held in January 2014, January 2015, January 2016, January 2017, January 2018, January 2019, and January 2020. COVID-19 caused the postponement of the 2021 camp, which was held July 16-17, 2021. The most recent camp was held in January 2022.

Registration for Camp Brisket is coordinated by Foodways Texas, an organization whose mission is to preserve, promote, and celebrate the diverse food cultures of Texas. Foodways Texas is hosted by the Department of American Studies at The University of Texas at Austin. Membership in Foodways Texas is necessary for attending the camps, and because of their popularity, there are special lottery drawings used for the sign up. Members of Foodways Texas are notified about how to enter the lottery.

Camp Brisket is held on the campus of Texas A&M University at the Rosenthal Meat Center and the Beef Cattle Center at the O.D. Butler Animal Science Complex or Thomas G. Hildebrand, ’56 DVM Equine Complex.

Topics that are covered in Camp Brisket include:

Day 1

• Brisket history
• Anatomy of a brisket
• Knife selection, slicing, & carving
• Taste test brisket lunch
• Beef grading and certified beef programs
• Wood and smoke panel

Day 2

• Building a good fire
• Seasonings overview
• Barbecue pit design and maintenance
• Should I wrap or not wrap?
• Taste test brisket lunch
• The science behind barbecue
• Pitmaster panel on cooking briskets
• Taste test brisket dinner

Photos

Camp Brisket in the news

State-renowned pitmasters share journeys, experiences during panel at Camp Brisket, Alex Miller, The Eagle

What it was like to attend Texas’ exclusive Camp Brisket, led by barbecue legends, by Greg Morago, Houston Chronicle

Camp Brisket, 2022 version, Jeff Savell

Camp Brisket, 2021 version, Jeff Savell

Camp Brisket, 2020 version, Jeff Savell

Camp Brisket, 2019 version, Jeff Savell

Camp Brisket, 2018 version, Jeff Savell

Camp Brisket, 2017 version, Jeff Savell

It’s a Texas Thing, by Victoria G. Myers, Progressive Farmer, July 1, 2017 issue.

Opening the lid on Camp Brisket, one of Texas barbecue’s most exclusive events, by Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News

11 brisket secrets for at-home barbecue enthusiasts, by Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News

Camp Brisket, 2016 version, Jeff Savell

What I learned at Brisket Camp, Daniel Vaughn, Texas Monthly

What are they smoking? At a Texas barbecue camp, it’s gotta be brisket, Jim Shahin, Washington Post

Keep it simple, be patient, and other tips for raising your brisket game, Jim Shahin, Washington Post

Do you know your deckle from your flat? A glossary of brisket terms, Jim Shahin, Washington Post

Camp Brisket spreads the gospel of Texas barbecue, J.C. Reid, Houston Chronicle

Grillers’ dreams steeped in smoke at Texas Camp Brisket, Jon Herskovitz, Reuters.com

Camp Brisket: There’s always something new to learn about the king of Texas barbecue, Carol Christian, Houston Chronicle

Students head to Camp Brisket, Greg Morago, Houston Chronicle

This camp lets you obsess about brisket, Greg Morago, Houston Chronicle

Camp Brisket 2015, Kelly Yandell, The Meaning of Pie

Camp Brisket draws all walks of life to learn the finer points of barbecue, Blair Fannin, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for the Land and Livestock Post

Texas A&M experts offer tips for perfect barbecue for ‘Camp Brisket,’ by Josh Siegel, The Bryan-College Station Eagle

2014 Camp Brisket, Foodways Texas Storify

Recap: Camp Brisket 2015, Robb Walsh, ZenBBQ.com Storify

Camp Brisket, Will Burdette, No Satiation podcast

Brisket Camp 2013, BBQ Lover’s Guide, bbqloversguide.wordpress.com

Camp Brisket highlights, Robb Walsh, ZenBBQ.com