The history and unique features of Santa Maria-style barbecue were recently featured on Barbecue Bible, a website and blog by barbecue enthusiast, author, journalist, lecturer, and TV host, Steven Raichlen.
In his write up, Raichlen begins with the story of the discovery of tri-tip in the Safeway store on Mill & Vine in 1952 and tells the history of the Santa Maria Valley communal feasts and the meal’s traditional accompaniments. He also recounts his visit to the valley and his vivid memories of the pit masters and their giant grills.
The article is titled, The Unique Barbecue of Santa Maria, California: Worth the Visit. Read it in its entirety, here.
Author, journalist, lecturer, and TV host, Steven Raichlen is the man who reinvented modern barbecue. His 30 books include the international blockbusters The Barbecue Bible and How To Grill, and the New York Times bestselling Planet Barbecue (Workman Publishing). His latest book, Project Smoke, celebrates traditional and cutting-edge smoked foods. Raichlen hosts the popular PBS TV shows Steven Raichlen’s Project Smoke, Primal Grill, and Barbecue University. Founder of Barbecue University at the Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs, Raichlen serves as barbecue curator for SoFAB (the Southern Museum of Food and Beverage) in New Orleans.
