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All Things Barbeque

What would Kansas City be without its barbeque? For smoked meat aficionados Ardie Davis and Paul Kirk, that's an inconceivable thought.Kansas City, MO –

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What would Kansas City be without its barbeque? For smoked meat aficionados Ardie Davis and Paul Kirk, that's an inconceivable thought.

Up to Date host Steve Kraske talks with Davis and Kirk about all things barbecue and the "The Kansas City Barbeque Society Cookbook" released in honor of the Kansas City Barbeque Society's 25th anniversary.

We discuss the proper way to grill and smoke, what to look for in your barbecue taste, and why Kansas City is central to barbeque history.

We also test Davis and Kirk's BBQ tasting abilities with a blind taste test of some of Kansas City's favorite barbeque joints.

Additional Information:

Ardie Davis, also known as Remus Powers, is a well-known judge on the barbecue circuit and the founder of Greasehouse University, the institution behind the fabled doctorate of barbecue philosophy (PH.B). Davis is also the founder of The American Royal International BBQ Sauce, Rub, & Baste Contest. He has been awarded several honors for his involvement judging barbecue competitions.

He is the author of five books on grilling and smoking and lives with his wife, Gretchen, in the Kansas City area.

Paul Kirk, a.k.a. Barbecue Guru, Ambassador of Barbecue, Order of the Magic Mop, Certified Master Barbecue Judge, Kansas City Barbecue Society Board of Directors, Inductee into the KCBS Barbecue Hall of Flame and 1990 Chef of the Year-Greater Kansas City ACF Chapter, has won over 475 cooking and barbecue awards. Included among these awards are 7-World Barbecue Championships, one of which is the prestigious American Royal Open, the world's largest Barbecue Contest. He is the author of numberous cookbooks.

Kirk has conducted the Baron's School of Pitmasters for 12 years around the world, and across the United States. Kirk has trained barbecue restaurant staffs in New Jersey, New York, Washington, Kansas City, West Virginia and Oregon.

In 1998 Kirk was the Official Spokes-Person for Sprint - PCS-NFL, National Tailgate Training Table Program and for Johnson Wax Off-Mosquito Coil and their Back Yard Promotion. He was a member of The Julia Child BBQ Team of Ten in 1998 and again in 2000. This Team prepares a BBQ dinner at the IACP convention to raise funds for The Julia Child Endowment Foundation.

Kirk represented Kansas City Barbecue on the Today Show, his BBQ have also appeared on The Discovery Channel, CBS This Morning Show and on the E!-Entertainment Television Network's Talk Soup.

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