Archive for October, 2009
More Praise for Santa Maria Style BBQ
We are always thrilled to discover fresh praise for Santa Maria Style Barbecue, and the latest is found in a recent story by Bill Parson of Barbecue Tips & Techniques, who writes:
“Known as the ‘Barbecue Capital of the World,’ Santa Maria, California certainly lives up to the title. As you will see when visiting this area, or rather as you will smell, the wonderful aroma of BBQ wafting through this coastal valley, will lead you to any number of barbecues. Follow the smoke and you will soon be enjoying a superb meal of barbecued sirloin that will be a feast fit for kings.”
He adds:
“If you get the chance to visit the Santa Maria Valley, you cannot miss a chance of being treated to the deliciously simple taste of the Santa Maria BBQ, so come prepared. The number of people who come yearly to enjoy the taste of this time-honored traditional food numbers in the thousands. So, come hungry because you will be guaranteed not to leave that way.”
He says it so well that we’re speechless, so we’ll just leave it at that! Thanks, Bill, for shining the spotlight on Santa Maria Style Barbecue!
Add comment October 29, 2009
An Appetite for Santa Maria Barbecue
The popular food site Appetite for China apparently has an appetite for Santa Maria Style Barbecue, too, as evidenced by a recent story that states: “With all due respect to Memphis and Kansas City, Californians know the nation’s best barbecue may be in their own backyard.”
We know where this is headed…There’s a reason why the Santa Maria Valley is known as California’s Barbecue Capital!
The site’s founder, Diana Kuan, is a writer and cooking instructor. Her blog focuses on regional Chinese foods, as well as their “offspring” around the world.
In her story about Santa Maria Style Barbecue, Diana showcases a Santa Maria Style fundraiser for the fire station in Greenfield, in the Salinas Valley about two hours north of Santa Maria.
Santa Maria Style Barbecue has long been a staple of fundraisers and charity events in the Santa Maria Valley and beyond. You can find them up and down the coast, you just have to follow the smoke.
Thank you, Diana, for shining the spotlight on Santa Maria Style Barbecue!
4 comments October 23, 2009
Walk Off Your ‘Cue at The Dunes
After feasting on Santa Maria Style Barbecue at the Hitching Post, Jocko’s, Far Western Tavern or another local restaurant, you might feel an urge to get outside and burn a few calories, and there’s no better place to do it than the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex.
Indeed, as detailed in this story by Lora Finnegan, a former senior editor at Sunset Magazine and the founder of CaliforniaTravelGirl, the dunes are one of California’s true natural treasures.
She writes: “I’m thrilled to learn that the 18-mile-long Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex, on the Santa Barbara / San Luis Obispo county coastline, is more accessible than ever…Open to visitors, the Dunes Center in Guadalupe, California (in the Santa Maria Valley) has just launched a new web site, new tour map, and enhanced educational exhibits to help visitors get the most out of their experience at the Dunes Complex. That’s good, because though the dunes are easily accessible from Highway 1 in the Santa Maria Valley, this place is so big, you need good intel to get the most out of it.”
Thank you, Lora, for turning the spotlight on this remarkable sanctuary!
The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex is one of the most ecologically significant and largest intact coastal dune ecosystems on earth. A major portion of the nearly 22,000 acres is under public management and open for recreation. More than 1,400 species of animals call the dunes home.
The three most popular dunes destinations are all easily accessible from the Dunes Center. Visitors wishing to drive straight to the oceanfront can take Main Street west into the heart of the Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve. Nearby Oso Flaco Lake Road leads to a convenient parking area, from where visitors can take a 30-minute stroll along a boardwalk through the dunes and to the beach. And those feeling even more adventurous can hike across the dunes into the heart of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge.
So the next time you come to the Santa Maria Valley for a taste of Santa Maria Style Barbecue, you may want to take a little extra time to experience another one of our region’s unique treasures.
Add comment October 14, 2009
A Master Class in Santa Maria Style BBQ
Chef John of the popular Food Wishes blog has outdone himself with the following how-to video on Santa Maria Style Barbecue, as performed by Paul Righetti of Susie Q’s Brand and the Far Western Tavern.
You would be hard pressed to find a more detailed and authentic visual lesson in the art of Santa Maria Style BBQ. Take it away, Chef John…
Add comment October 8, 2009
High Honors for PCPA Theaterfest
We take a break from our regularly scheduled Santa Maria Style Barbecue programming today to salute the arts in the Santa Maria Valley, and to specifically congratulate the valley’s own PCPA Theaterfest for earning 11 awards from Stage Scene L.A. for 2009.
Stage Scene L.A. editor Steven Stanley reviewed 256 eligible productions throughout Los Angeles and surrounding areas between September 1, 2008 and August 31, 2009.
Among other honors, PCPA was included in the select lists for Best Direction (Musical) for Roger DeLaurier for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Les Miserables; Best Ensemble (Musical) for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; and Best Performance by a Lead Actor for Erik Stein and Sam Zeller for Les Miserables.
Visit our Arts & Culture page for more information on PCPA and other cultural experiences in the Santa Maria Valley. Bravo to PCPA for once again bringing big-time performances to our beautiful wine country!
Add comment October 1, 2009
