So, decided to bite the bullet and go yesterday - The draw of trying Mr Franklin's Brisket was too much!
It was a great day out - Obviously, with any 'new' event there were a few teething troubles, i.e. huge queues for some of the stands as the day went on, which was a shame as it meant missing out on some of delicious food on offer. Also, it wasn't cheap - On top of the ticket price, buying the tokens for food/beer etc really added up - It worked at at £4.50 per portion which wasn't terrible value (although some stands gave bigger portions than others), but obviously if you wanted to try lots of things it became quite pricey.
Highlights were:
John Bar-B-Q Shack's Maple & Wild Turkey glazed applewood smoked ham (great portion size as well!)
Grillstock's Smoked Tri-Tip
Duck & Waffle's Korean style Pigs Head with Truffle 'slaw
BBQ Whisky Beer's Smoked Beef Short Rib with squid ink Kimchee and Pickles
Seeing legendary Italian butcher Dario Cecchini's pig butchery demonstration - The speed and precision with which he butchered a whole half pig was incredible, talking about what he does with each cut (he uses everything) and then he made Porchetta with the side - Luckily they had some which he'd prepared earlier - Absolutely delicious!
And of course, Aaron Franklin's Brisket - Mind-blowingly good - Luckily we got there early and got to try it before the queue became ridiculous and he eventually sold out.
We got to speak to him once he'd finished - A really top man and interesting hearing about his pits and the differences he'd found between the British Briskets and the Grass-fed monsters he uses back in Texas - He was even nice enough to give me the few left-over sheets of his magic red butchers paper which he uses to wrap the briskets in - Can't wait to try it out on my next Briskie!
So all in all, a great, if pricey day out - I'd definitely go again, but would advise getting there right at the start to beat the queues.