Rockin’ Ronnie returns to the grill

If you thought The King of All Barbeque had retired from competition, … you are right.

But on a hot summer day, even an old King’s thoughts turn to his best grill.

… There it is, glistening on the plate as it throws off the classic aroma of seared fat, mesquite smoke and charred spices. Atop the steaming slab sits a slowly liquefying daub of Gorgonzola butter. The dark mass of the steak is framed nicely by slices of ripe red tomato, a few spears of grilled asparagus and a handful of roasted nugget potatoes, all drizzled with fruity olive oil, spritzed with fresh lemon juice and dusted with a sparkling skiff of Malden salt.

That bite. That first bite! Sawn from a corner of the steak with the serrated edge of my knife, the freshly exposed surface shines with juice as I draw the slice to my mouth. Its warm red core is silky on my tongue, and the crusty, chewy outer layers give my teeth the most meaningful assignment in their lives.

I liberate another shiny slice from the beautiful hunk and ceremoniously drag it through the mixture of juice, savory butter and olive oil that has pooled on the plate. The next forkful includes a tangy chunk of tomato; the next, a creamy bite of potato. Then a lemony, palate-refreshing bite of asparagus.

Oh, yes, almost forgot the wine. A big, jammy Shiraz of course. A slug of that, and then back to the motherlode of a steak, which looms on the plate, its edge now jagged like a mine face, waiting to be carved away. …

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Ron has the cover story this month on our local food news magazine. Read the entire article: For Your Approval: A juicy article about steak

Or go light your own grill.

who is this guy? And what has he done with Rockin’ Ronnie!

What’s up?

A guy posing as Rockin’ posted this on his blog:

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I’m delighted to report that I’ve joined Longview Communications Inc., a Vancouver-based consulting firm, as an Associate.

After three years as an independent consultant and barbecue evangelist, it was time for me to rejoin the workforce. Much as I love the company of my wife Kate, it was quite isolating to work out of our basement office, and I’m thrilled to be a member of a team again. And Kate is finally free of having to listen to me on the phone, “droning on and on about barbecue and who knows what else,” as she often put it.

What a team I’m joining. In three short years, Longview founder Josh Pekarsky has built an amazing group of strategic communicators with a blue-chip client list and lots of exciting work. I’m continuing to serve my existing clients, but I’m also looking forward to new challenges.

Say hello to Downtown Ronnie. Woo hoo!

Downtown Ronnie – For Your Approval

barbecue a whole hog

The latest video blog from Rockin’ Ronnie learns you how to go whole hog.

It’s pretty graphic! You need a sharp axe and other weapons.

Don’t get too chummy with the hog before you smoke him.

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photo – Ian Baird

Whistler, BC

Ron & Kate invited me up to their comp. luxury suite at the Legends hotel resort in Whistler, BC. They also invited blues legend Colin James to play for me … and a few hundred other invited guests.

Rockin’ Ronnie was feeding barbecue to the great unwashed — including a whole hog. (Thanks for introducing me to hog jowl, Rockin’.)

The entire event was sponsored by Navan, Cognac in celebration of inebriation and Ron’s cookbooks.

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video – Barbecue Secrets TV

rockin-2006.jpgRockin’ Ronnie has done it again.

He’s added very professional video to his barbecue podcast.

The best part is the name of the video podcast: BSTV (Barbecue Secrets TV)

You can check it out on Ron’s barbecue blog:

Barbecue Secrets

But it’s easier is to use iTunes. Search the Store under podcasts for “Barbecue Secrets” and click subscribe. It’s free.

pimp my barbecue

Custom mobile barbecue from BBQ Pits by Klose: 160,000 B.T.U. propane burner that can smoke up to 100 6-pound chickens.

Satellite TV and radio, a Sony flat screen, and a solar-powered DVD and DVR — and sports 24-karat-gold rims and door handles.
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Gear Factor

photos – Barbecue Academy, Calgary

After taking photos at two events so far, It’s clear to me that barbecue will be an increasingly popular corporate team-building event.

Rockin’ Ronnie Shewchuk builds a full day around the theme of a barbecue competition. Teams of 4 company colleagues work together — to attempt to out cook every other team. And win a trophy with a pig on top!

The slow cooking movement is booming in Calgary. Many grillers will be adding a smoker to their backyard soon. Rockin’ most often uses a Weber 2820 Smokey Mountain Cooker.

Rockin\' Ronnie Shewchuk

See many more photos of the Barbecue Academy by jumping to the permanent webpage in Rick’s photo archive. OPEN icon

corporate team-building through barbecue

Rockin’ Ronnie, the Dean of the Barbecue Academy, fronts an all-day Secrets of Championship Barbecue workshop in Calgary.

Safety first — Rockin’ cautioned the knife-wielding carne carvers: Sobriety and barbecue don’t mix.

More on Ron Shewchuk’s corporate communications blog.

Cobb portable grill and barbecue

BBQ

I finally got to see the amazing Cobb portable BBQ in action. It can roast, bake, smoke and fry. Highest quality materials, the class of it’s field, I highly recommend it.

500F — yet cool enough to pick up and carry across the room.

It’s time for me to upgrade from my older model.

discount barbecue

barbecue cookbook – Planking Secrets

book coverRockin’ Ronnie Shewchuk’s second cookbook is available from Amazon.com and will hit Canadian bookshops soon.

Amazon – Planking Secrets: How to Grill With Wooden Planks for Unbeatable Barbecue Flavor

Everything you could possibly want to know about the art of grilling on a plank.

The self-proclaimed BBQ evangelist just launched his 10th year as a grilling and barbecue instructor. His competition barbecue team had their best finish ever at the Jack Daniels World Championships in October.

Details on his books, newsletter, podcasts and upcoming events are on Rockin’s Barbecue Secrets blog.