Cooking BBQ

[ddog27]

I was reading something about BBQ and it stated the usually the people who make the best BBQ cooks are people that were good cooks in other areas first. I found that interesting. I know people who are all around good cooks but I also know people who only cook BBQ and they make some good BBQ. So I thought I would ask what you guys thought. Do you need to be a good cook in some other area first to be good at cooking BBQ? What do you think?

[M38A1]

I think it helps to have somewhat of a background or a body of knowledge in cooking. As an example, my dad is an excellent cook and after all the years of watching him and eating his creations, I started to take interest. Along with that interest, you learn what works and what doesn't, what spices go with certain things, and a 'creative' spirit is soon born where you'll try cooking just about anything. I think that knowledge and experience is of tremendous benefit in the 'que arena.

I recall 18 months or so ago when I was told about this forum by PhotoKirk to swing on by. I can't begin to tell you how intimidated I was at all the terminology, equipment etc. However, since I had a solid foundation in cooking, the only hard part was learning the techniques and tricks for 'que. The basics were already present so the learning curve wasn't as steep, thus the overall experience not so intimidating.

~m

[WBC]

The only thing I can cook is BBQ

[BBQ-Phil]

I'm a chef and think that it belongs together.....you have to know a lot about meat,meat cuts,temperatures,sidedishes,salads,gravys to make a great BBQ.

[DaHorns]

Before I threw my hat into the bbq ring, I spent alot of time cooking. I love to cook, no matter the form or fashion. But since I started doing the Q my other cooking has tailed off a bit, but I still do, soups, stews, and chili regularly. I mean I still do the side dishes and stuff like that, but not like it used to be......... :?

[wood_is_good]

I think first and foremost a love of cooking is needed to be good cook.

[Mitch]

Yeah, I love to cook. I think it helps to like to cook if you want to do good Q. But I know great BBQ cooks that are just cook Q.

[gordo]

I think having a background in cooking can help trim down the learning curve on how to smoke meat low and slow...walla bbq...but anybody can learn to turn out some good stuff with alittle practice and alot of patience..

See new folks on the forum all the time that don't know crap from apple-butter..but can produce some great bbq in a very short time frame...
with the help of tips and advise that others give here...

[rstcso]

See new folks on the forum all the time that don't know crap from apple-butter..but can produce some great bbq in a very short time frame...
DB sent me some apple-butter a while back. Should I be worried :? ?

[gordo]

:lol:
Naw..DB knows his stuff !!

[david brace]

DB sent me some apple-butter a while back. Should I be worried :? ?
Why do you think I sent it to you???

DB (tried it yet, RS?)

[big smitty]

I think a background in cooking helps, but making good Q requires a trial and error education. It is not like following a reciepe in a kitchen. Qing has more variables that you have to learn to adjust to.