Taylor Rowland, McKensie Harris, Bryan Bracewell, Southside Market & Barbeque, Adam Murray, and Katy Jo Nickelson

We participated in the 4th Houston BBQ Festival, which was held in the NRG Park area in Houston on Sunday, May 22, 2016. Those in attendance from Texas A&M University were Davey Griffin, Ray Riley, Katy Jo Nickelson, Adam Murray, Taylor Rowland, and McKensie Harris, and we have been fortunate to have been at each of the festivals held to date. We enjoy going to the festival each year to talk to folks about Texas Barbecue and to see so many of the pitmasters we have gotten to know through festivals and camps and to make new acquaintances with those we have not met yet. One of the most common questions we get is not about how to cook better barbecue, but how to get into the always-sold-out Barbecue Summer Camp and Camp Brisket, two outstanding programs we conduct with Foodways Texas.

Thanks again to Chris Reid and Michael Fulmer, the event founders, for inviting us each year and allowing us to interact with barbecue specialists and enthusiasts from around the Houston area. Your passion for shedding the spotlight on these great barbecue endeavors is making a difference throughout the southeast Texas area.

Maxine Davis, Ray’s BBQ Shack with Jeff Savell

Ray Riley visiting with Barry Farm folks

Davey Griffin and Ryan Zboril, Pitt’s and Spitt’s

McKensie Harris, Katy Jo Nickelson, Taylor Rowland, Davey Griffin, Herb Taylor, Ray’s BBQ Shack, and Adam Murray

Russell Roegels describing how his smoker works

Jeff Savell with Jason Tedford, Louie Mueller Barbecue

Taylor Rowland, Katy Jo Nickelson, McKensie Harris, Brandon Allen, Jackson Street BBQ, and Adam Murray

Greg Gatlin, Gatlin’s BBQ & Catering

Ray Riley and Davey Griffin visiting with Ronnie Killen, Killen’s Barbecue

Wayne Kammerl, The Brisket House with team members

Russell and Misty Roegels visiting with students

As usual, we had a great time, but sampled way too much. The food was great, but the fun and fellowship was even greater. We look forward to next year’s event, and appreciate the opportunity to participate in these events across the state.