Giant National Capital BBQ Battle

It was a beautiful weekend in DC for a barbecue. And not just any barbecue, but the Giant National Capital BBQ Battle.
Thousands gathered downtown Saturday and Sunday to fill up on good food, listen to music and cheer on their favorite BBQ masters.
It was a steamy day, but we couldn’t help but wander toward clouds of smoke, signaling all kinds of deliciousness. Barbecue was available in all shapes and sizes, and the smell was irresistible.



You could have a classic brat, deep fried mac and cheese and anything in between. There was also a Giant sampling tent where visitors could grab dozens of free samples and delicious treats. We loaded up a bag full of snacks for our upcoming road trip. Score!
Even though the event was focused on meat, there were vegetarian options as well. We enjoyed samples of Sabra hummus, southwest quinoa salad and veggie burgers in addition to our brats, burgers and brisket sandwiches.
A highlight of my visit to the BBQ Battle was meeting local pit-master Jenny Windsor of Black Cat BBQ in nearby Severna Park, Maryland. Jenny is participating in the first annual Fire & Ice Women’s Championship Barbecue Series hosted by Cowboy Charcoal.
In partnership with the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS), Cowboy is looking for the best female barbecue pit-masters across the United States. Inspired by the stories and recipes from female barbecue masters across the country, Cowboy launched the series as a platform to highlight the many talented women in the space.
Jenny and her husband Jack have been participating in food competitions across the country for nine years, perfecting their recipes over time. Their barbecue sauce, a family recipe, placed in the competition yesterday.
Jenny will continue to compete in cook-offs throughout the year. If you’d like to support our local pit-master, check out Recovery Fest in Richmond, Virginia on September 16th.
Proceeds from the National Capitol BBQ Battle benefited USO Metro Washington-Baltimore and the Capital Area Food Bank.