Catering for my Cousin

About two months ago my cousin contacted me and asked if I would cook BBQ and baked beans for her wedding. I agreed. She said she would have 100 guests so that's what I planned for. Thankfully there are a couple spread sheets out there that can help calculate how much BBQ will be needed for an event depending on the size of the crowd. I also have the benefit of asking those who cater often, through the BBQ Brethren Forum, about the amount of food needed.

My two biggest worries for the wedding were; 1) not having enough BBQ, 2) not having enough sauce. I had cooked 40 butts for a church fund raiser about two years ago and ran out of sauce.

Hog Heaven - Restaurant Review

Name: Hog Heaven
Location: Pawleys Island, SC
Price: $ - $4-$22 ($22 is for the buffet with seafood)
Hours: Mon-Sun 

Took a long needed vacation and headed for Myrtle Beach. When I go on vacation I like to hit local places that are not touristy but show the local flavor and foods. I do break from this from time to time if there is a chain that I don't have in my area.

Anyway a twitter friend recommended I try Hog Heaven down in Pawleys Island. I planned one of our afternoons to of down and check it out and see Pawleys Island also.

Recipe - Smokin' Chili (or Threepeat Chili)

The chili simmering. 

At work we do fundraisers for the United Way and the Arts & Science Council (ASC) of Charlotte. One of the fundraisers we do is a chili cook off. Last year since the fundraiser happened around Mardis Gras we actually did a Cajun cook off instead of the chili cook off. I cooked a pot of gumbo for it and tied for first place. The previous year was my first year entering and I entered my leftover pulled pork chili and took home the grand prize. This year I made some Smokin' Chili and won again. Here is the recipe for the chili I made this year.

Review: Meyer's Smoke House Seasoning

Creator: Meyers’ Elgin Sausage 

Location: Cuetopia, TX - Home of the Fighting Sausage Heads
Cost: $4.95 + shipping and handling 
Link: Smokehouse Seasoning


My friends at Meyer's Elgin Sausage sent me some of their Smokehouse Rub to try a while back. I've tried it and used most of it so I figured I better review it like I promised too. I tried it on a couple different meats; pork, hamburger and briskets. Its flavor really shines on the beef.

Grilling a London Broil

London broil resting.

It is odd to have it be so warm at the beginning of March here in SC. Our temps were in the upper 70s today so that made for a great evening to fire up the grill and make some good food. It doesn't take long and it tastes so good.

So Friday evening I grilled a london broil and made some sides to go with it. I decided to do a video blog about it too. I grilled the beef and roasted some garlic and potatoes to go with it. It came out great and the family loved it.