Davey Griffin, Carley Armstrong, Kathleen Meredith, Libby Schneider, Marc Vogelsang, Taylor Rowland, Spencer Tindel, Adam Murray, Katy Jo Nickelson, Kenzie Lackey, Erika Victor, Madalynn Kainer, Jeff Savell, and Kadden Kothmann at the TMBBQ FEST 2016

Faculty and students of the Texas Barbecue program at Texas A&M University participated in the TMBBQ FEST 2016 held at the Long Center in Austin, Texas on Sunday, October 30, 2016. Texas A&M University is a sponsor of the TMBBQ FEST 2016, making it the sixth year for our participation in this event. Faculty members Davey Griffin, Jeff Savell, and John Chivvis were joined by graduate students Adam Murray, Katy Jo Nickelson, and Spencer Tindel, and undergraduate students Carley Armstrong, Madalynn Kainer, Kadden Kothmann, Kenzie Lackey, Kathleen Meredith, Taylor Rowland, Libby Schneider, Erika Victor, and Marc Vogelsang. These students are just part of those who provide such great leadership for ANSC 117, Texas Barbecue.

Barbecue Genius Counter

We had our booth in the middle of the barbecue vendors, which allowed us to visit with a great number of the festival participants. We answered many barbecue questions, but the main ones were about how to enroll in the Barbecue Summer Camp and Camp Brisket, two great programs we conduct in conjunction with Foodways Texas. The short answer is that these programs fill up fast, and that it is very difficult to meet the demand we have for these two camps.

Jack Timmons, Jack’s BBQ, Seattle, being greeted by Jeff Savell and Davey Griffin

Kadden with his camera outside our booth

Adam talking to interested folks about barbecue

Former student glad to see Texas A&M University represented at TMBBQ FEST 2016

Kathleen answering questions

Visiting pitmasters

Going to the TMBBQ FEST 2016 would be nothing without having the chance to visit with old friends, make new ones, and eat some great barbecue and other specialities that the amazing folks prepare for the event.

Kerry Bexley and Tootsie Tomanetz, Snow’s BBQ with Texas A&M University students

Catherine Stiles, Stiles Switch BBQ talking to Davey Griffin

Davey Griffin talking to Texas Monthly BBQ Editor, Daniel Vaughn

Madalynn sharing a laugh with Miss Tootsie

Aaron Franklin with students

Starting the day at #tmbbqfest by talking to some great pit masters! (Tyler’s-Amarillo, Gatlin’s-Houston, and Hays Co.- San Marcos) pic.twitter.com/2ZzkRn4WON

— Katy Jo Nickelson (@KatyJoNickelson) October 30, 2016

Enjoying great food

The ability to sample so much food is one of the great opportunities we have when we go to any of these festivals, especially the TMBBQ FEST. Here are some photos of the great food we were able to enjoy on Sunday.

Madalynn, Spencer, and Katy Jo chowing down on a tomahawk beef rib

Erika enjoying some sausage

Kenzie enjoying some barbecue

Kathleen eyeing Aaron Franklin carving a beef brisket

Spencer grabbing some Hutchins BBQ goodies

Watching the Miller Smokehouse folks preparing some sausage

We certainly enjoyed visiting with so many folks and eating such great food. We also loved taking so many students with us to the festival, which gave them the opportunity to learn so much about great barbecue and those who prepare it.