Masters of the Pit

Harrison Sapp, Comer Smith, and Griffin Bufkin of the popular Southern Soul Barbeque on St. Simons Island, Ga. will join fellow pitmasters and friends Aaron Siegel, Taylor Garrigan, and Madison Ruckel of Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ to host a special Pitmaster Backyard BBQ at Home Team BBQ’s West Ashley location this Friday, Dec. 6, from 7-9 p.m.
The six pitmasters first met in 2012 when they partnered for the finale event at the Charleston Wine + Food Festival’s BBQ, Blues + Brew event (now known as Rigs, Pigs + Swigs). The ‘cue devotees hit if off immediately and vowed to do more together in the future.
Their own backgrounds in the industry and their restaurants share similarities — both opened around the same time in the early 2000s and represent the “new school” of younger pitmasters offering a fresh, creative approach to all things barbeque. Both restaurants offer traditional barbeque alongside creative offerings not normally found at typically old school barbeque joints.
Southern Soul and Home Team will join forces this Friday to prepare a variety of meats including traditional beef barbacoa, Sapelo Farms hardwood smoked Cabrito (young goat) tacos, and housemade goat sausage. They’ll also be preparing fresh, local May River steamed oysters along with an assortment of Southern sides such as caramelized brussels sprouts with crispy pork belly, cast iron green chili cornbread, a stock pot of local lima beans, and fiery chili-lime corn on the cob.
To add to the festivities, Shrimp City Slim will entertain attendees with their Lowcountry blues and original songs inside on stage starting at 9 p.m. High Wire Distilling Co. will be serving a special cocktail and Holy City Brewing will be featuring their popular local beers, both offered for purchase at outside stations.
The Backyard BBQ will take place in the outdoor patio space and parking lot at Home Team BBQ. Tickets are limited and cost $30 per person (not including tax and gratuity); to purchase email. A portion of the event will benefit Grow Food Carolina, South Carolina’s first local food hub, helping to foster a thriving local food system by linking local farmers to restaurants and retailers.
 
The Pitmasters’ Backyard BBQ will be held Friday, Dec. 6 at Home Team BBQ, located at 1205 Ashley River Road. To purchase tickets email info@hometeambbq.com or call 225-7427 x13.