Only a handful of legendary cooks have won every major contest, like the Memphis in May, the American Royal, and the Jack Daniels Invitational. Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q is among those rare champions. The California BBQ Association brings Chris Lilly to Los Angeles on July 27 - 29, 2007 for a master barbecue class.

Lilly makes promotional appearances at barbecue events, but rarely teaches an in depth cooking class. We discussed his travel schedule during an interview I conducted for the National Barbecue Association’s Q Magazine earlier this year “I don’t normally do a lot of cooking classes per se. I do a lot of catering, some appearances and lectures when I can fit them in…” he said, highlighting the very special nature of this opportunity.

Two separate classes will simulate a contest timeline: a night session to prep and begin slow cooking of beef brisket and pork shoulder, followed by a morning session with pork ribs and chicken. The timeline is geared for contest cooks, but the secrets of low and slow cooking will improve anyone’s backyard barbecue skills.

• Saturday session runs from 7 - 9 pm on Friday July 27, and from 8 am - 4 pm on Saturday July 28.
• Sunday session runs from 7 - 9 pm on Saturday July 28, and from 8 am - 4 pm on Sunday July 29.

Classes will be held at the L.A. County Fairplex in Pomona at a cost of $350 per person, or $400 for a married couple. Those flying in (Ontario airport is within a twenty minute drive, even during rush hour) can arrange for a cooker to use. More details and an entry form are on the CBBQA website.

About the instructor:

Chris Lilly is the head cook of the Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q Team.Their record includes ten World Champion titles, eight state grand championships across the Southeast, and numerous other victories not listed below.

Memphis in May World Championship BBQ Cook-off
1997 1st place BBQ sauce
1999 1st place BBQ sauce and 1st place Pork
2000 1st place Pork and Grand Champion
2001 1st place Pork
2002 1st place Pork
2003 1st place Pork and Grand Champion
2004 1st place Pork

American Royal International Cook-Off and BBQ Sauce Competition
1995 1st place White BBQ sauce
1998 1st place BBQ Sauce “Best Sauce on the Planet”
2002 1st place Chicken and Reserve Grand Champion
2004 1st place Brisket and Grand Champion

Jack Daniels World Championship Barbecue Contest
2003 1st place Pork