UP IN SMOKE: Savoring the Kosher BBQ Festival’s Legacy
In part two of this series, the AJT interviewed a panel including festival organizers, participants, and fans to get their recollections of the festival’s history.
Sasha Heller is the Web Editor and Copy Editor for the Atlanta Jewish Times
To read part one of this series, please click the following link: https://www.atlantajewishtimes.com/up-in-smoke-is-the-kosher-bbq-festival-cooked/
For the past 11 years, the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival, presented by the Hebrew Order of David, has filled the bellies of community members with savory delicacies and filled their hearts with goodwill and Jewish pride. But unfortunately, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.
In this series, the AJT will recall the festival’s legacy, speaking with those who were heavily involved over the years, and discussing what plans there are for a potential replacement in the future. In part one of the series, published in the Sept. 15, 2024, edition, the AJT interviewed Jody Pollack, the festival’s Executive Director, who announced that he is stepping down from his leadership position to focus on his family.
In part two, the AJT spoke with a panel including festival organizers and cookoff participants to recall the festival’s history from their points of view. The panel includes David Joss (HOD leadership), Alex Schulman (festival deputy director), and David Kayser (Atlanta Kashruth Commission).
AJT: How were you involved with the festival over the years? Were you an organizer? Or a participant in the cookoffs? Or a judge?
Kayser: I was the lead kosher supervisor (mashgiach) from the initial planning of the first event throughout the duration of the festival.
Joss: I was on the committee that plans and manages the annual BBQ competition and festival. I also assisted in managing the finances and insurance needs. I was also a volunteer at each of the events over the years.
Schulman: I started on a team from Beth Shalom, actually winning the brisket category the first year. I continued to compete on the Beth Shalom team for the first three years of the festival until I was “voluntold” to be on the committee that runs the festival. They needed someone to act as the deputy director, since they didn’t have anyone in that role, and they needed someone to take the reins. I held that position for the next, I think, nine years, acting as team liaison, recruiting teams for the festival, and as deputy director, doing any other tasks that Jody Pollack, the director, asked me to do. One of my main tasks as team liaison was to coordinate with our Kansas City-certified judges, the group that judges the teams’ food during the festival (in the brisket, ribs, chicken and chili categories).
AJT: What are some of your lasting memories of the festival? Some of your favorite parts?
Kayser: In particular, I enjoyed being part of what was one of the most diverse Jewish community events. Jews from all over the Atlanta area participated on teams, volunteered to help run and organize the event, and attended as spectators. We all made friends with people we never would have met if not for the festival.
Joss: The camaraderie and fun stick out in my mind — seeing the Jewish community of all religious levels come together and enjoy the day … seeing the wonderful interaction between the Jewish and non-Jewish teams as they competed and worked through the night. Getting to know the police and firemen who entered teams. Seeing all the children running around and having fun. Being able to contribute funds to many worthy charities. The fact that many teams came from other parts of the country including the team from the Hebrew Order of David Lodge in Houston who drove to Atlanta to participate. Inviting Lieane Levitan to the opening ceremony and having her explain how she was instrumental in establishing Brook Run Park which is named after her. Singing the national anthem and Hatikvah with the Israel consul at the opening ceremony. Working with all the incredible volunteers who made it all happen. Enjoying great BBQ and music through the day!
Schulman: Some of my most lasting memories are of coming onsite to Brook Run in Dunwoody, prior to everyone arriving, and laying out the grid where the teams will be placing their tents and grills. It has always been fun to watch the ebb and flow as the teams started to trickle into the festival site, watching the teams erect their team decorations, listening to the teams talking “smack” to each other as they set up their booths, and making other preparations. I enjoyed waiting for the advent of the end of Shabbat until the mashgiah arrives to open up the refrigerated truck and light all the grills so the teams can get ready to start cooking. Watching as all the grills are lit and 20-plus teams start cooking at the same time through the night until we are ready on Sunday for the actual competition is a particular favorite. And then on Sunday, after the ebb and flow of the intensity of the competition, watching the mini city that I created at Brook Run quickly be dismantled is equally satisfying and disappointing. But I created that!
AJT: What would you like to see replace the festival going forward? Should there be some type of community gathering to take its place?
Kayser: I definitely think we need to have as many events as possible like the BBQ Festival. I haven’t seen many other events like it.
Schulman: I’d love to see the festival continue for the foreseeable future, but with greater collaboration from other Jewish organizations in the city. I’m currently working with a few groups that could help keep the festival going—just handling things behind the scenes for now.
AJT: Since you are HOD leadership, can you speak about the contributions made to local organizations over the years via the festival proceeds? That seems like an important part of the festival that will likely be missed.
Joss: We were able to contribute to many worthwhile charities — over $25,000. Although contributing to charities was very important, remember that this was primarily a community event for the Jewish community and included many non-Jews. Bringing the community together was important.
Thanks for the Memories
Festival organizers would like to express their gratitude to the following individuals who helped make the festival so successful over the years:
Alan Rubenstein (OBM); David Joss; Les Kraitzick; Alex Schulman; Dan Frankel; Keith Marks; Craig Varon; Neal Drucker; Richard Gay (OBM); Michael Berkowitz; Gayle Rubenstein; Kaylene Ladinsky; Michael Morris; David Kayser; Rabbi Joshua Heller; Mitch Frank; Stan Sloan; Harry Lutz; Helen Scherrer-Diamond; Lee Tanenbaum
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