May 15 – 17, 2019
As way of introduction to this all-star team of “pit pros”, here is a little background on the featured chefs. First, there is pitmaster Burt Bakman, a Los Angles based chef, legendary for hosting BBQ pop-ups and an advocate for low-and-slow method of smoking meat. Bakman works his magic with Big Bertha, his trusted smoker, which fuels his passion for the art of Texas-style BBQ. Next we offer you the best-selling, award-winning cookbook author, former restaurant manager, and Austin-based chef Paula Disbrowe. Paula recently penned the barbecue cookbook, “Thank You For Smoking”, which provides insight into the barbecue world, along with expert hints for grilling success. Finally, Valerie Gordon is one of Los Angeles’s top chocolatiers and the author of the cookbook Sweet (a James Beard Award Finalist). She will serve as the “Sweets” specialist at BBQ Bootcamp. Valerie will be demonstrating a host of sensational grilled desserts.
The BBQ Bootcamp morning sessions will cover all the aspects of BBQ, from the best way to start a fire to what to do with spice rubs; afternoons are free for horseback riding, golf or a visit to the spa; and evenings give you a chance to interact with local guest chefs and winemakers who will be on hand to create feasts designed to further fire-up your love of all things barbecue.
Featured Chef Burt Bakman
Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort introduces its May BBQ Bootcamp 2019 guest, Burt Bakman, pitmaster-in-chief of Trudy’s Underground Barbecue. A native of Israel who immigrated to the United States as a teen, Bakman developed a lifelong passion for barbecue after tasting signature smoked meats in Austin, Texas, and was quickly transformed into an advocate for low-and-slow method of smoking meat. Bakman works his magic with Big Bertha, his trusted smoker, which fuels his passion the art of Texas-style smoking. Using red or white oak, each batch of Bakman’s smoked brisket is an 18-hour labor of love, with careful tending every 30 minutes.
Through social media and his stellar word-of-mouth reputation, Bakman has built his Instagram account to over 15,000 followers, all from his loyal fans of mouthwatering backyard barbecue in Los Angeles’ Studio City. Using only direct messaging on Instagram, Bakman’s popular smoked meats sell out weekly and his popularity has led to pop-ups at iconic Los Angeles establishments, such as Alfred’s Coffee and Fat Sal’s. Bakman gained notoriety from a feature on KCET and in reputable foodie hub Eater LA. Soon, Angelenos and visitors alike will be able grab a seat at Bakman’s highly anticipated Texas barbecue-style restaurant, Slab BBQ, in West Hollywood opening November 2018.
Featured Chef Paula Disbrowe
James Beard award-winning cookbook author, former restaurant manager, and Austin-based chef Paula Disbrowe joins the star-studded lineup of guest chefs at Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort’s May 2019 BBQ Bootcamp. Paula recently penned barbecue cookbook, “Thank You For Smoking”, which provides insight into the barbecue world, along with expert tips and tricks of the trade.
A true barbeque aficionado, Disbrowe’s culinary writing has appeared in The New York Times, Bon Appetit, Coastal Living, Food & Wine, Southern Living, The Local Palate, and Delta Sky, among other national publications, and she previously served as the food editor of Restaurant Business Magazine. Her seven cookbooks have been featured on the New York Times Best Sellers list and was awarded both the James Beard Award for Best American Cookbook and the International Association of Culinary Professionals Award for Best American Cookbook.
She has also served as the General Manager of Northern California’s Feather Down Farm Days, a glamping experience that introduces the European-based farm stay concept to the U.S. market.
Featured Chef Valerie Gordon
Valerie Gordon is a celebrated chocolatier who has been recognized in Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, The Wall Street Journal, and Saveur, served as a guest judge on BRAVO’s “Top Chef: Just Desserts” and FYI’s “Man vs. Child,” and appeared numerous times on The Food Network and The Cooking Channel. She co-founded Valerie Confections in 2004 with her life and business partner Stan Weightman, Jr. as a tiny, family-run business with just six flavors of chocolate-dipped toffee. Now a top chocolatier in the country, her business has grown exponentially with a full line of chocolates, petits fours, handmade preserves, cakes, pies, and pastries—all incorporating the very best ingredients and offering a delicious spin on the unexpected. In addition to her flagship shop in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighborhood, she also celebrates her savory side with contemporary Californian, French-inspired breakfast and lunch fare at her two cafes and bakeries in Echo Park and downtown’s Grand Central Market. She wrote and styled her first cookbook, Sweet (Artisan Publishing, 2013), which was a James Beard finalist.
Learn more about the full line-up for the upcoming BBQ Bootcamp and book your stay today!