Monday, August 24, 2015

One Man's Party to Fight Multiple Schlerosis



One Houstonian knows how to throw a party.

On October 11, Chris Sheperd will host Southern Smoke, an event that will turn Underbelly, Hay Merchant and Blacksmith into a massive street party that will raise at least $100,000 for the MS Society.

When Chris Shepherd learned his good friend and former sommelier Antonio Gianola had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, his first reaction was to "throw a huge party and raise a ton of money." So, he contacted his friends Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, Sean Brock of Husk, McCrady's and Minero and Rodney Scott of Scott's Barbecue to see if they'd be interested in a trip to Houston.

Aaron Franklin, the first pitmaster to win a James Beard Award, is driving his smoker in from Austin to serve up his award-winning brisket that attracts hours-long lines at Franklin Barbecue. Rodney Scott's whole hog South Carolina barbecue has reached legendary status, with people driving hours to his hometown of Hemingway just for a taste. Sean Brock, a two-time James Beard Award winner, is credited with reviving and preserving heritage foods in the South.

Southern Smoke will also mark the first event featuring the HOUBBQ Collective, formed by a group of local chefs-Seth Siegel-Gardner, Terrence Gallivan, Ryan Pera, Justin Yu and Chris Shepherd. 

This will be a block party-the street between Hay Merchant and Blacksmith will be shut down. Tickets on sale Monday, August 24 at noon at southernsmoke.org

This event will be great for Houston and represent Houston’s traditions of kindness and good Bar-B-Que.

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