David Gelin Talks BBQ Joints
Nov 24, 2008 7:30 - 1 Comment
Posted by: Cindy Cotte Griffiths
Department: News
Tags: by Cindy Cotte Griffiths, Lifestyle, reviews, RMHS
Department: News
Tags: by Cindy Cotte Griffiths, Lifestyle, reviews, RMHS
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BB-Q, Bar-B-Que, Barbecue, or B-B-Que. No matter how you like to spell it, mosey on over to the Rockville Library this Saturday, November 28 29, 2008 at 3 PM to find out all about it.
Rockville native son, David Gelin, will be serving up a lively sample of his book, BBQ JOINTS: Stories and Secret Recipes from the Barbeque Belt. After graduating from Richard Montgomery High School, he headed down south to Emory University and never looked back. Many of you may know him as the son of Jacque and Margaret Gelin.
After an extensive journey in search of the best barbeque, David pulls together a book that goes beyond a travel guide or restaurant listing. You won’t forget the life stories and contemplative gazes of the folks from these hole-in-the-wall or out-of-the-way joints. Lately I’ve grown restless with fictional, made-up stories and seek appealing, true-life narratives so maybe that’s why I read the book cover to cover even though I have no plans to visit these states in the near future. The passionate people who serve up their renowned barbeque make your acquaintance on every page.
The photographs from the book were shown as an exhibit at the University of South Carolina in Columbia but David explains, “I can’t begin to tell you how many places I have been to that were everything I could ever hope for in a picture, and I could just tell that there was a gem of a story behind the place. But I couldn’t be true to you if I steered you to a place where the food is just mediocre.”
David dishes up a comprehensive list of what should not be at a barbeque joint. Keep driving if you see a costumed animal waving. Don’t eat it if it’s drenched in barbeque sauce. Avoid chains at all costs. To find out what makes a place a good bet, you’ll just have to buy the book. You’ll also find some fine recipes on how to grill corn-on-the-cob, make slaw, fry tilapia, boil peanuts, bake Elvis’s pound cake, or even cook coon burgers.
If you are planning a trip to the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, or Texas and walk into one of these joints with knowledge of David’s work, rumor has it that you get the royal treatment. I feel like I’ve already had a whirlwind trip down South.
Any of my family still wallowing around my house after the Thanksgiving excess will come with me to the Rockville Library. Perhaps by Saturday we’ll be able to think about food again because this book will make a great holiday present.
David Gelin’s tales were just as charming in person at the Rockville Library today as they were when reading the book. His struggle to get many of the stories and the lasting friendships that eventually stemmed from his interviews were highlighted by a power point presentation of his photos. David shared a couple of bad experiences when trying the barbeque and we found out those places had since closed. When he quizzed us with pictures of certain attributes at these places, we didn’t always know whether something was a good sign, bad sign, or meant nothing at all when it came to great barbeque. Now we know.>
The meeting room was filled to capacity and the books sold out. He’s working on a second book right now, as well as a third which veers on a slightly different path.
In case you are wondering, when we asked, we don’t have any real barbeque here in Rockville. It’s the truth. Someone needs to open a good joint!