Sorry I`ve been missing in action for a month or so. I`ve successfully completed a move from Dallas to Austin, closer now than ever to really great barbecue. Although I`m still living out of boxes, I`m settling in and unpacking. I found these shots from the Big Apple Backyard Barbecue in June. I moderated a panel on competition barbecue cooking with Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Que; Mike Mills of 17th Street Bar & Grill  and Memphis Championship Barbecue, along with Jeffrey Steingarten of Vanity Fair.  We cussed and discussed the pros and cons of competiton cooking.  Is it true you have to be  a big time outfit to walk out on the stage?  Do you have to have a p.r. machine to get  attention?  We didn`t settle on much of anything but we  sure had fun doing it. As soon as I remember  how, I`ll post some photos of this year`s Big Apple event.