“Smoke on the Bayou” Collaboration Dinner

Houston Barbecue Festival’s “Smoke on the Bayou” dinner series featured Chef Austin Simmons and Cork Screw Pit Master Will Buckman.

The Houston Barbecue Festival “Smoke on the Bayou” dinner series, pairs Houston’s top chefs with top barbecue Pit Masters.

Pitmaster Will and Chef Simmons getting ready for the Smoke On The Bayou dinner. #HouBBQ #BBQ #SOTB

A photo posted by Houston BBQ Festival (@houbbq) on Mar 20, 2016 at 4:20pm PDT

“This dinner has been almost two years in the making,” says J.C. Reid, co-founder of the Houston Barbecue Festival and barbecue columnist for the Houston Chronicle. “The idea originated when I ran into Austin one Saturday morning at CorkScrew BBQ. Chefs are pretty selective of where they eat in their off hours, so I was kind of surprised to see him there. Turns out he is a huge fan of Will’s barbecue.”

“Smoke on the Bayou” Dinner

The sold out dinner was a success, with seven courses meticulously crafted & expertly paired, with brews from B52 Brewery and wines from all over the world. The first in the ‘Smoke on the Bayou’ series was an epic way to begin the ultimate collaborations of BBQ and fine dining and both chefs made it a night to remember.

Can't say enough about how good the team did last night to pull off the #smokeonthebayou dinner. Chef Austin, Will Buckman, Chef Matt, Chef Gabe, Pastry Chef Erika and all the rest killed it. Everyone left stuffed and happy. @houbbq @hubbell_hudson @corkscrewbbq @chefaustinsimmons @glyon86 @uurka87 #bbq #sotb #foodie #food #thewoodlandstx #houston #htx #smoke #instafood

A photo posted by Anthony C (@acompofelice) on Mar 21, 2016 at 5:19am PDT

SMOKED SHORT RIB | Black Pepper & Anise Rubbed Rib, Textures of celery, Citrus Herb Gremolata, Soy Butter. | Paired B52 Breakfast Stout and 2014 Van Loveren African Pinotage, South Africa. #HouBBQ #BBQ #SOTB #SmokeOnTheBayou @corkscrewbbq @Hubbell_Hudson

A video posted by Houston BBQ Festival (@houbbq) on Mar 20, 2016 at 8:00pm PDT

Seriously impressed by what @chefaustinsimmons & @pitmaster_buckman came up with for the first edition of @houbbq's #smokeonthebayou dinner series. They sliced this brisket & served it in bao buns with Korean BBQ sauce.

A photo posted by ericsandler (@ericsandler) on Mar 21, 2016 at 6:32am PDT

Two Day Miso Cured Smoked Pasific #Sturgeon at the #SmokeontheBayou Dinner – Not what you'd expect from a #BBQ dinner right?

A photo posted by Austin Simmons (@chefaustinsimmons) on Mar 20, 2016 at 5:46pm PDT

A landscape of smoked apple pie macarons. #smokeonthebayou #HouBBQ

A photo posted by J.C. Reid (@jcreidtx) on Mar 20, 2016 at 8:15pm PDT

Corkscrew BBQ

Will and Nichole Buckman started Corkscrew BBQ as a small catering company, delivering Briskets to local family parties. After only 3 years, their popularity grew so much that the demand lead them to open their first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Old Town Spring. This is true homegrown Texas BBQ and their following continues to grow all over the Lone Star State.

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