The ‘winningest man in barbecue’ is coming to Raleigh. Here’s how to meet him.
There’s no denying that North Carolinians love barbecue, and everyone has their favorite ‘cue restaurant.
But for some, making barbecue at home presents a challenge.
Enter Myron Mixon, the celebrity pitmaster who at the upcoming Fairgrounds Southern Ideal Home Show will coach attendees through making what Mixon considers one of the most intimidating cuts of meat for home cooks: brisket.
Mixon, who hails from Georgia — where, he says, the barbecue largely resembles North Carolina’s beloved eastern-style, vinegar-based barbecue — claims the title of “winningest man in barbecue.” He has several state, national and world barbecue championships to his name, both as an individual and with his team. He’s also the star of Cooking Channel’s “BBQ Pitmasters.”
Mixon appears at this weekend’s three-day Home Show at the N.C. State Fairgrounds, which runs from Sept. 16-18.
Ahead of the event, The News & Observer got his tips for conquering homemade barbecue, plus his opinions on what makes “winning” barbecue and the current battle between Old School and New School ‘cue that’s playing out around the barbecue world — including in our own Ultimate Barbecue Bracket.
At the bottom of the story, you’ll find information about the Fairgrounds Southern Ideal Home Show, including how you can attend and see Mixon in person.
Myron Mixon’s top tips for cooking barbecue at home
There’s a bit of a “stone wall” around certain cuts of meat, such as brisket, for home cooks, Mixon said.
The source of frustration for a lot of people is the proper cooking temperature for the meats, he said.
“The biggest fear that anyone that’s barbecuing, it’s always overcooking, or burning, whatever you want to call it,” Mixon said.
In an attempt to avoid overcooking, though, many people may end up undercooking their meats, Mixon said — which can be a health hazard.
His top tip for overcoming those issues is a simple one: use a meat thermometer. Even he, with all those barbecue championships under his belt, continues to use a meat thermometer in his pit endeavors, he said.
“You never get too good to use your meat thermometer to cook with,” Mixon said. “Always use your meat thermometer, and you’ll never turn out undercooked or overcooked proteins. They’ll always be perfect.”
Mixon reminded home cooks that every meat has a safe internal cooking temperature, which you should follow as you’re cooking to ensure that you neither overcook nor undercook your barbecue. You can find those temperatures at foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/safe-minimum-internal-temperatures.
Myron Mixon weighs in on the old vs. new barbecue debate
In The N&O’s ongoing Ultimate Barbecue Bracket, we’re down to just two final contenders — each representing either Old School ‘cue with long traditions, or New School flavors that are fresh on the barbecue scene (we’ll announce the winner on Friday, Sept. 16).
With so much experience in “winning” barbecue, we had to ask Mixon his thoughts on the schools of barbecue.
Calling himself a history buff, Mixon said he has a deep appreciation for the traditional ways of cooking barbecue, both in his home state of Georgia, as well as in other states, including North Carolina.
Still, he’s seen how barbecue has changed over time and in recent years with New School methods.
His prediction for which school will reign supreme across the barbecue world?
“For barbecue to progress and move forward, in my opinion, it’s got to blend. It’s got to blend to things that everybody wants today,” Mixon said. “I think you keep the elements of traditional barbecue, but you got to go forward.”
That might look like barbecue joints offering sweeter sauces that they typically have, Mixon said, “because everybody loves sweet,” or maybe offering new takes on traditional barbecue through different dishes, such as barbecue nachos.
“I think that’s gonna happen,” Mixon said.
How to see Myron Mixon at the Fairgrounds Southern Ideal Home Show
Want more tips on barbecue? Mixon will present live on the Fresh Ideas Stage at the Home Show on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 1 p.m.
During the presentation, Mixon will teach attendees how to make winning brisket in their own backyard through an on-stage demonstration.
Learn more about Keefe ahead of the event at raleighfairgroundshomeshow.com/show-features and myronmixon.com.
More information about the Fairgrounds Southern Ideal Home Show
The Fairgrounds Southern Ideal Home Show features booths where you can shop exclusive deals from vendors, chat with industry experts and glean inspiration.
The show is held this weekend, Sept. 16-18, at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds (4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh).
Here are more details about the event:
▪ The event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 16 and 17, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 18.
▪ The event will be held in two buildings at the State Fairgrounds: the Exposition Center and the Jim Graham Building. You can enter the event at either building. Will call will be located in the Exposition Center.
▪ Parking for the event is free. You can enter on Hillsborough Street, Youth Center Road and Trinity Road.
The event requires tickets, which can be purchased online in advance or on-site at the fairgrounds. To purchase tickets online, visit raleighfairgroundshomeshow.mpetickets.com.
▪ Tickets for attendees ages 13 and up are $9 if purchased online, and $12 if purchased on-site at the box office.
▪ Children ages 12 and under can attend the event for free if they are accompanied by a paying adult.
The show is offering discounted rates to some groups on certain days of the event.
▪ Seniors (ages 60 and older) can attend for $7 on Friday, Sept. 16. Tickets must be purchased at the box office and you must present a valid ID to receive the discount.
▪ Friday is also “Hero Day.” All active military personnel, veterans, firefighters, health case workers, police and other first responders can attend the show for free on Friday only. Present a valid ID at the box office to receive your ticket.
▪ Sunday is “Teacher Day.” Teachers and school staff can attend the show for free on Sunday only. Present a valid faculty ID at the box office to receive your ticket.
Curious about which vendors are going to be at the event? You can find a full list of exhibitors for the show at raleighfairgroundshomeshow.com/virtual-home/shop-the-show.
This story was originally published September 15, 2022 at 12:19 PM.
