Barbecue Superstars From All Over America Are Headed to Houston for the Block Party of Every Foodie’s Dreams

By Jailyn Marcel // Oct 30, 2016

Photography Julie Soefer

The 2016 Southern Smoke was an all-star event. Here's the HOUBBQ Collective — Chris Shepherd, Justin Yu, Seth Siegel-Gardner, Ryan Pera, Terrence Gallivan. (Photo by Julie Soefer.)

Southern Smoke is back for its second year, bridging the gap between food and philanthropy. Founded by celebrity chef Chris Shepherd (Underbelly, Hay Merchant and future restaurant One Fifth) in honor of his friend and former sommelier Antonio Gianola — who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014, this year’s installment is hosted in partnership with the Houston BBQ Collective.

Six Southern chefs and barbecue pit masters headline the event: Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue, Austin) smoking his famed brisket; Rodney Scott (Scott’s BBQ, Hemingway, South Carolina) preparing a whole hog; Ashley Christensen (Poole’s Diner, Raleigh) cooking her signature beer can chicken; Tandy Wilson (City House, Nashville) preparing smoked Vietnamese-style bologna with nuoc mam slaw; Ryan Prewitt (Peche, New Orleans) grilling oysters; and Stephen Stryjewski (Cochon, New Orleans) serving boudin.

The Houston BBQ Collective — Chris Shepherd, Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan (The Pass and Provisions), Ryan Pera (Coltivare), and Justin Yu (Oxheart) — also presents a series of dishes prepared with spits, cages, cauldrons, and cast irons.

“Houston is an incredibly generous city and helped us almost double our fundraising goal last year,” said Shepherd. “This year, with this incredible group of talented cooks, the goal is even higher. I can’t think of better people to help me honor Antonio and do what we can to fight this disease that has taken such a toll on our industry.”

This year’s fundraising goal of $200,000 benefits the MS Society.

What: Southern Smoke