Lewis Donald, co-owner of Sweet Lew’s BBQ.
CharlotteFive
Carolina BBQ fans: mark your calendars for Charlotte’s first Carolina BBQ Festival, slated for this spring at Camp North End and created by Lewis Donald, owner of Sweet Lew’s BBQ.
Pitmasters will be on hand from across the state, ready to showcase their area’s barbecue — with samples, of course. Themed “From Palms to Long-Leaf Pines,” a barbecue will be served from these three regions of Carolina: East, West, and South. “We’re bringing together the best pitmasters from across Carolinas for the Carolina BBQ Festival to showcase the nation’s best barbecue styles and benefit organizations vital to communities across the region and nation,” Donald said in a statement.
Local beer, wines and soft drinks from all over the Carolinas will also be featured.
WHAT: Carolina BBQ Festival
WHEN: May 22 from noon to 4 p.m. for general admission; 11am-4pm for VIPs.
WHERE: North End Camp Boiler
THE PRICE:
- $75 for general admission: access to three tents, each showcasing a region’s BBQ style. Included with each tent: A complete plate of BBQ with two side dishes, and a 10-ounce beer from its region. With a general ticket, you will have access to all vendors and the purchase of beer, wine, cocktails and soft drinks.
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$150 for VIP: You get everything included in general admission, plus a barbecue brunch, hosted by some of Charlotte’s barbecue chefs, including Donald and Garrin Kirkman of Jon G’s Barbecue. The brunch menu will include fresh oysters, BBQ of course, and a Bloody Mary bar. Brunch will take place at 11:00 a.m.
Ticket prices will help raise funds for Piedmont Culinary Guild, Operation BBQ Relief and World Central Kitchen.
Buy your ticket on Eventbrite.
FEATURED PITMASTERS:
- Tay Nelson | Bobby’s BBQ
- Matthew Register | Southern smoke barbecue
- Nathan Monk | Lexington BBQ
- Elliott Moss | Buxton Room BBQ
- Brandon Shepard | BBQ shepherd
- Lewis Donald | Sweet Lew’s BBQ
- Garren Kirkman | Jon G’s BBQ
- Bryan Furman | Bryan Furman BBQ
LIVE MUSIC:
- Emmanuel Wynter
- Justin Fedor and Denim Denim
- DJ than Guy Smitty
- Caroline Gator Gumbo
Carolina BBQ Festival
Location: 300 Camp Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28206
Neighbourhood: Druid Hills South
Instagram: @carolinabbqfestival
WHERE TO PARK: Recommended parking for the festival is the larger lot off Statesville Road.
This story was originally published February 24, 2022 06:00.