Weber And Blackstone Join Forces To Dominate Outdoor Cooking Market
Weber and Blackstone have combined forces. That's right, the outdoor cooking product powerhouses announced Weber Blackstone, their combined entity, earlier this month. Products will still be branded individually, but teams have fused to innovate new products together and to expand offerings. “With our complementary portfolios and similar cultures, I could not have imagined a better partner for Blackstone than Weber. We look forward to delivering an enhanced lineup of high-quality products to those with a passion for outdoor cooking, both here in the U.S. and internationally,” said Roger Dahle, CEO of Blackstone. Dahle will be CEO of the combined company while working closely with Weber CEO Alan Matula, who appears equally excited about the venture. “We share Blackstone’s customer-centric emphasis and deep commitment to continuous innovation, and we believe that combining will allow both brands to better serve existing and new customers with the best-in-class outdoor cooking products they seek.”
The World's First Museum Of BBQ Opens In Kansas City
Image Source: The Smoke Sheet / Substack
Kansas City author and foodie Jonathan Bender greeted guests and met family and friends for a soft opening of the world's first BBQ museum earlier this month, then launched it to the public the following week. The Museum of BBQ features multiple interactive installations that educate guests on flavor and technique in barbecue. There's a smoker, and even a bean ball pit. “Our goal really is for you to understand how flavor is built in barbecue and then tour you through the main American regions, so you learn about the different spice profiles of Memphis and Texas and the Carolinas and of course, Kansas City,” Bender explains.
Dallas-Based BBQ Chain Goes International With Philippines Location
Image Source: Dickey's Barbecue Pit
Popular Texas-based BBQ franchise Dickey's Barbecue Pit continues its international expansion with the announcement of a new Manila, Philippines location this month. Dickey's Barbecue Pit locations can also be found in Singapore, Canada, Japan, UAE, Pakistan, and throughout the U.S. “We’re thrilled to bring Legit. Texas. Barbecue to the Philippines, a country known for its bold flavors and warm hospitality,” said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants.
Chicago's Lem's Bar-B-Q Wins James Beard Award
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The James Beard Foundation announced the six winners of the 2025 American Classics Awards last month, and Lem's Bar-B-Q s spearheaded the list. The famed Chicago BBQ staple is still running strong even 70 years after brothers Myles and Bruce Lemons opened the first location back in 1954. Their daughter and niece, Carmen Lemons and Lynn Walker Harvey, continue to run and expand the business today while continuing to serve the signature Lem's BBQ Sauce that started it all. Congrats!
The World's Best Steakhouses, According To Michelin
Image Source: Gary He
Today's steakhouses push the envelope by experimenting with dry-aging, sourcing high-quality beef from international suppliers, celebrating global flavors, and centering live-fire cooking. Michelin has taken notice, but the company has deemed only eight of them “worthy of a stop,” such as New York's Cote (pictured above), San Francisco's Niku, Los Angeles's Gwen, and Singapore's Cut by Wolfgang Puck. Which Michelin-starred steakhouse are you most likely to visit?
Texas BBQ Experts Reveal Their Smoking Secrets
Image Source: Panther City BBQ
“Texas barbecue really focuses on the meats themselves without relying heavily on sauces or garnishes to trick them up,” says Chris Magallanes, co-owner of Panther City BBQ in Fort Worth, Texas. Using post oak wood is another signature. “I recommend opting for cuts with thick, lean meat and good fat coverage, especially with marbling for tenderness," says Lane Milne, co-owner of Fort Worth's Goldee's Barbecue, a James Beard Award semifinalist and the top barbecue restaurant in Texas, according to Texas Monthly magazine. If you're curious about Goldee's Secret Peach Glaze, this article spills the beans.
New Study Reveals America's #1 BBQ-Loving State
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This study comes from Casino.org, so take it with a grain of steak salt. Still, the survey of 4,000 US residents reveals some interesting BBQ trends. It found that Americans spend on average $89 per BBQ session and 64% of Americans say their favorite day to BBQ is July 4th. To zero in on the country's top BBQ-loving state, they asked how often residents BBQ, their average time spend BBQ'ing, how often they dine at BBQ restaurants, and how many BBQ events they attend. Which state is most bonkers for BBQ? Mississippi!
How Diaspora Chefs Are Shaping The Future Of American Barbecue
Image Source: Mike Ledford
American barbecue will always have salt-and-pepper smoked brisket, sweet and sticky ribs, and vinegary pulled pork. These days, though, America's barbecue meccas are just as likely to offer smoked brisket chow fun, gochujang spare ribs, and chopped smoked pork with Chinese hot mustard. Inventive cooks in Texas, Georgia, and the Carolinas are incorporating the barbecue styles of Thailand, Pakistan, China, Mexico and other countries into existing American barbecue, creating some truly exciting flavor combinations. Here's to more BBQ options!
