The air above Madison Square Park will thrill to the sound of blues and more as the scent of wood smoke beckons. The event is the annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party with its low-and-slow mantra of real-pit barbecue.
This year’s lineup of chefs will once again be a who’s who of ‘cue. James Beard Award winner Rodney Scott of South Carolina’s Rodney Scott’s BBQ will be in the house, and so will his legendary St. Louis ribs with coleslaw. Meanwhile, across the lawn, North Carolina pitmasters Ed and Ryan Mitchell will also be going “whole hog” — smoking an entire porker for pulled pork sandwiches.
Locals will be on hand, among them Jean-Paul Bourgeois of Blue Smoke, who will be present his fried smoked chicken with Tabasco-spiked honey.
Beer will flow like wine, and so, for that matter, will wine.
Tickets, which are on sale here, start at $125 for a FastPass Pair: You and a companion will have exclusive access to express lanes, along with a $100 credit for food, beverages, and merchandise. For $275, you and a companion get the full VIP treatment, including a shade-filled respite, open bar, and bites for either Saturday or Sunday. Again, the tickets come with a $100 credit for food, beverages, and merchandise.
