The State of North Carolina just became one of the only states in the nation to establish a food-themed hall of fame. Our newest official ‘hall of fame’ honors North Carolina’s signature food – Carolina-style barbecue.
The new North Carolina Barbecue Hall of Fame just celebrated its first class of inductees at a grand ceremony held at The Alliance Center in Burlington, NC, paying tribute to the pioneers who have positioned North Carolina as a top barbecue destination in the United States.
Fantastic supporters (and great food) at the NC BBQ Hall of Fame Dinner in Burlington last night!#ncpol #ncgov pic.twitter.com/xppCF3R1T2
— Dale Folwell, CPA for NC Governor (@DaleFolwell) March 2, 2024
According to the official NCBBQ Hall of Fame website, they are hoping to preserve the essence of North Carolina barbecue, defined by pork slow-cooked over live wood coals, whether it’s whole hog in the east or pork shoulders and butts in the piedmont and western areas. The hall of fame celebrates the diverse barbecue styles across the state, from vinegar and pepper-based sauces in the east to sweeter sauces in the west, and even gas and electric pit-cooked barbecue.
Eastern or western NC BBQ? I’m at the North Carolina Bar-B-Q Hall of Fame dinner in #AlamanceCounty and have an opinion of which is my favorite but want to know yours! Let me know in the comments…
https://t.co/8gQZVI8QqW #TeamBallard #LtGov #NCGOP pic.twitter.com/qxvF7Uw4lb— Deanna Ballard (@DeannaBallardNC) March 2, 2024
The inaugural class of the North Carolina Barbecue Hall of Fame includes nine inductees from seven legendary establishments, each having made significant contributions to the state’s barbecue legacy:
- Steve and Gerri Grady, Grady’s Barbecue
- Wayne Monk, Lexington Barbecue
- Charles Hursey, Hursey’s Bar-B-Q
- Sam Jones, Sam Jones BBQ
- Pete and Jeff Jones, Skylight Inn
- Charles Stamey, Stamey’s Barbecue
- Kent Bridges, Alston Bridges Barbecue
These inductees, representing establishments with roots stretching back to the 1920s and beyond, have solidified their place in North Carolina’s barbecue history. Many of these businesses are multi-generational, having served millions of pounds of barbecue to enthusiasts over the decades.
What do you think about our state’s latest official Hall of Fame?