How to Become a Barbecue Chef

Barbecuing is a favorite pastime (eating and making) for many, and many of those would probably refer to themselves as a barbecue chef of sorts. Becoming a true barbecue chef, however, requires more than being a good cook on the grill, but a mastery of grilling. In order to become a barbecue chef, you must be more than the ordinary weekend barbecue enthusiast. Learning to master the grill by becoming a chef requires qualification, time and dedication.

Instructions

1. Invest in good equipment. Every chef needs to have tools of the trade that help them to perform their job better. There are different types of grills on the market, ranging from those that can go on top of the stove, gas grills, smokers and of course the trusty charcoal grills. Other cool gadgets like timers, food thermometer forks and spatulas should be picked out and invested in, as well.

2. Experiment with recipes on the grill. The biggest difference in cooking on top of the grill is that often food will come directly into contact with the heat source. To widen the range of your recipes, don't be afraid to use pots and pans that can be placed atop grill grates. Recipes should be varied in order to learn a wide range of cooking techniques when barbecuing.

3. Grill instead of using traditional cooking methods whenever possible. Find ways to incorporate the grill into your everyday life and meals. This serves to familiarize yourself with grilling, until it becomes habit. Food preparation can be done through barbecuing instead of a traditional oven or stove-top cooking. Everyday foods like eggs, steaks, vegetables and rice can be made through barbecuing to further legitimize your abilities.

4. Pick a sauce. One of the most recognizable features of barbecue is its sauce. Barbecue sauce is a must for most consumers when they think of barbecue, so you may want to take some time and choose which is best for you. Barbecue sauce comes from many regions of the country, from the hickory smoke sauces of Texas to the spicy Cajun barbecue sauces of Louisiana. Sauces like the St. Louis barbecue sauce have a thinner texture and zippier flavor than its cousin in Kansas City. If you want to add more of a personal touch to your sauces, there are many recipes for making barbecue sauce that can be experimented with until you have a flavor that suits you.

5. Choose a style of barbecue. Beyond the different types of sauces are the different styles of barbecue, as well. These styles are typically based on region and state. North Carolina is known for its pulled pork and slow-cooking method to preserve natural flavors. Kansas City is known for using both beef and pork but is popular and known for its barbecue sauce that is sweetened with molasses or brown sugar. Texas, on the other hand, exclusively uses beef as its token meat, which is the center of the meal, with a thick slice of Texas Toast generally served on the side.

6. Cater to your needs. Buy foods that will work with your equipment best, and in situations when that is not applicable, improvise. Use high-quality ingredients in your recipes to yield the best outcome. You will also want to begin to showcase your barbecue talent by having someone to cook for. Testing out recipes or cooking for a wide variety of people will give you some honest feedback on your barbecue.

7. Enter barbecue competitions. From New York to California, barbecue competitions are held across the lower 48 regularly. These competitions often yield prize money that is more than some chefs make in a year. Beyond the chance to win prize money, you will be able to network with other serious barbecue chefs from across the country and possibly gain even more knowledge to further hone your craft.

8. Attend culinary school. This is for those who are looking to find a serious career as a barbecue chef. There is no replacement for attending a culinary arts school. New recipes and techniques will be taught from experienced master chefs. Culinary classes are conveniently offered in most cities and will yield a certification or degree upon completion. Making this investment will ensure that you learn food combination possibilities as well as create some of your own when specializing in barbecue preparation.

Tips & Warnings

• Barbecue grills that come with thermometers attached will allow you to control the temperature of the heat more effectively. This is especially the case when using charcoal grills. For those who can not afford to attend culinary school, learning from television barbecue chefs is an inexpensive way to become one.

• If you are working around open flames, always ensure that you have a fire extinguisher that is up to date and code with the fire department.

Resources

• Find the differences in barbecue styles by region
• Barbecue recipes and sauces
• Barbecue competitions in your area