There are better designs for grills, among them the top end Hasty Bakes, and there are cheaper grills, but the modern Weber Kettle has achieved icon status.

It was winner-take-all as the five victors from the preliminaries competed for $50,000, the title 'Kingsford BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion,' and a spot in the Kingsford Invitational.

That sets up a highly competitive final on July 8 with the pitmasters answering the burning question, who goes home with the $50,000?

Competition barbecue has moved so far from traditional Southern barbecue that it must be considered a style of cooking unto itself, as different from the original as is Korean Barbecue.

Sadly there is little room for creativity in competition barbecue nowadays. If barbecue is part of the culinary arts, then the judges and cooks should take a look at other forms.

Like a hungry farmer raised on real Southern smoke-roasted pit barbecue, for the last two years this franchise has a been serving me boiled ribs, and when presented with the real deal, I am gobbling it down.

After three seasons of practice, BBQ Pitmasters, a reality cooking competition that is decidedly not Top Chef, has finally found the recipe.

Caprese salad is the world's best use of tomatoes and possibly the world's best salad. This classic summer dish from the Island of Capri off the west coast of Italy is the essence of August on a plate.

Chicagoans, renowned for our worship of the all beef frankfurter, understand that ketchup is popular with children because they like sweet stuff. But if you are over 18, never, ever allow ketchup anywhere near a proper hot dog in Chicago.

On July 18, 1936, the 13 foot hot dog started cruising the streets of Chicago and the Midwest. It is considered one of the most successful marketing gimmicks in history.

The first step to becoming a great outdoor cook is to master your instrument, and the best way to do this is to calibrate it with dry runs. No food needed.

It's about time that the rest of the country comes face to face with the charms of this liberally condimented showpiece clad in a tidy white bun.

It's the time of the year for Dad to go out and immolate his paycheck, turning succulent pieces of meat and crunchy fresh veggies into hockey pucks and piles of ash.

A Cambro is an indispensable tool to caterers. But you don't need to buy a restaurant grade Cambro, you probably have one in the garage.

Beans are a great source of nutrition, and they play an important part in American regional cooking and culture. Here are the basics a cook needs to know about beans.

The secret, and it is not much of a secret anymore, is to eat what is fresh and in season. Mussels are in season at Superbowl time and a super bowl of them is sure to be a hit at your party.