Go Hog Wild at Pig Island NYC 2022 This September
Get ready for food and fun at Pig Island at Snug Harbor. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
Pig Island NYC, one of New York’s top annual barbecue events, will return on Sept 10, 2022, at Snug Harbor Cultural Center on Staten Island. This year’s event, now in its 13th year, will feature more than 20 chefs and pitmasters from around the country cooking up creative pork-based main dishes and vegetable-based sides.
Joe Musngi of NJ’s SmoKing of Meats will compete for the Triple Crown of Meat at Pig Island. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
This event typically has a picnic-type feel, with families and friends bringing blankets and chairs for the day. Food and drink stations are set up in a large green field, so there is plenty of room to spread out and hang out for the day while enjoying tasty bites.
Among the culinary talent, one of the most compelling stories at Pig Island will be following pitmaster Joe Musngi of New Jersey’s SmoKING of Meats. Musngi is competing for the "Triple Crown of Meat” after winning Brisket King NYC and Rib King NYC earlier this year. Can he win Pig Island’s top prize and be the first ever “Triple Crown” winner?
Pig Island is a great place to sample authentic whole hog. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
On top of all the great heritage breed and local hogs being cooked, there will also be a vegetable grilling station, craft beer options, bourbon, wine, and cider for all to try. You’ll also be able to try barbecue and hot sauces from companies like Coney Island Saucery, Rocket Fuel Hot Sauce, and Bayou Gotham Sauces.
Chef Kim Plafke of The Meat Hook will be back and likely to bring some big energy and amazing bites to Pig Island. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
The full lineup of chefs and pitmasters this year includes:
Joe Musngi – SmoKING of Meats
Bret Lunsford – Blue Smoke
Cenobio Canalizo – Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue
Kim Plafke – The Meat Hook
Jase Franklin – Jase’s BBQ
Matt Fisher – Queens Custom Barbecue
Emily Hersh – Pure Grit BBQ
Antonio Olive Jr. – Backdraft Bar-B-Q / Operation BBQ Relief
Mike Lapi – SUNY Cobleskill
Rodrigo Duarte (Chef and Pig Farmer)
Nick Bavaro – Friends of Firefighters
Jimmy’s No. 43 All-Star Team vegetable grilling station
Anna Grayzel × Grateful Bao
Harry Rosenblym's Steak Club Launch
And more!
Cenobio Canalizo (right) of Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue will also be back at Pig Island this year. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
Another great reason to attend is to support the event’s community charity partner, Brooklyn-based Friends of Firefighters. This nonprofit’s provides free mental health counseling and wellness services to active and retired FDNY firefighters and family members. It was founded just after 9/11 to support firefighters but continues today in a world more aware of the importance of mental health.
Hope you all can get tickets for Pig Island NYC. Grab tickets here, and be sure to show up on time before items run out!
Sean Ludwig
Founder, NYC BBQ
EAT ALL ABOUT IT (NEWS)
The delicious Alabama white wings from Blue Smoke are a top BBQ bite in New York. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
Here are the top BBQ and related food news stories you need to know about this week:
The NYC BBQ landscape has changed in recent years, so where to find some of the most essential BBQ bites now? I wrote about 5 essential BBQ bites in NYC in The Smoke Sheet newsletter this week, including Hometown Bar-B-Que, Pig Beach NYC, Bark Barbecue, Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria, and Blue Smoke. READ HERE.
The Blues BBQ Festival at Hudson River Park in Manhattan will again play host to great live music and multiple barbecue vendors. “The Blues BBQ Festival showcases and celebrates the rich diversity of the blues genre and some of the best barbecue food our city has to offer,” Noreen Doyle, president and CEO of Hudson River Park Trust, told AM NY. The BBQ vendors will be Blue Smoke, Jase’s BBQ, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Kimchi Smoke, and Big Papa Smokem, so expect great food options. READ HERE.
Hudson Smokehouse in the Bronx has landed on Eater NY’s most recent list of the 38 Essential Restaurants in New York City. READ HERE.
Holy ‘Que Smokehouse, which is located north of Philly, has expanded to a new location in Doylestown, PA. READ HERE.
New Jersey food reporter Pete Genovese is out with a new list. This time he has ranked the “50 best hot dog joints in New Jersey.” He has Rutt’s Hut in Clifton in the top slot. READ HERE.
Food truck Big Pinks BBQ in New Jersey does not have a working engine, but it still has a great smoker. The tale behind the unique truck will be showcased on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives hosted by Guy Fieri on the Food Network on Friday, July 29, at 9 p.m. READ HERE.
IRL BBQ AND FOOD EVENTS
The Blues BBQ Festival is back in Manhattan this August, and Jase’s BBQ will be one of the great barbecue vendors there.
Here are the top BBQ and related food events coming soon to the New York metro area:
August 5, 2022: If you live on Long Island or like to visit, don’t miss Dan’s GrillHampton. At this event at Nova’s Ark Project in the Hamptons, pitmasters/chefs from the Hamptons will take on pitmasters/chefs from NYC. This one-of-a-kind cooking competition and tasting event will offer great grilled fare, beer, and specialty cocktails, along with live music and dancing. Guests will become part of the action as they vote for the finest food. BBQ joints attending include Blue Smoke, Hudson Smokehouse, Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue, Green Hill Kitchen & Cue, and more. BUY TICKETS HERE.
August 13, 2022: Hudson River Park’s beloved Blues BBQ Festival is back in person, and live in the Park! There’s no better way to spend an August afternoon than with savory barbecue, delicious drinks, and live music, all on our riverfront. This free, day-long music festival invites exceptional blues artists to perform on HRPK’s Pier 76 stage. Come join host Binky Griptite for a Saturday filled with great food, including from NYC BBQ pros like Blue Smoke, Jase’s BBQ, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Kimchi Smoke, and Big Papa Smokem. Pro tip: If it’s a sunny day, bring an umbrella because there isn’t much shade. MORE INFO HERE.
September 10, 2022: Pig Island NYC will celebrate its 13th year on September 10, 2022, at Snug Harbor on Staten Island. Join in for all-inclusive food and drink from all-star pitmasters and chefs who will be serving up delicious porky goodness, as well as local breweries, distilleries, and cideries. Top chefs will compete for the best dishes, and event-goers reap the benefits. Expect a ton of amazing eats and a great place to picnic with friends and family for the day. BUY TICKETS HERE.
October 13-16, 2022: The New York City Wine & Food Festival will return this October. It will see the return of the huge Burger Bash hosted by Rachael Ray and the Backyard BBQ hosted by Andrew Zimmern. BBQ lovers will certainly enjoy both the Burger Bash and Backyard BBQ, but other fun events will be held too. This will be one of the last big food events happening in NYC in 2022, so don’t miss out. BUY TICKETS HERE.
Please get in touch if you would like your food event listed here!
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