The Black Bottom Boys and The Plowboys play at the annual Q Cup
By Rachel Haynie

No matter what geographic part of the state introduced you to barbeque initially, you likely grew up thinking that type was the best. Fortunately, you're right because everybody's right.

The variety of settlement groups who populated the state, even before this was a state, made this a melting pot in more ways than one. Our ethnic backgrounds have much to do with our epicurean backgrounds. That explains why South Carolina is the only place on the planet where all four major types of barbeque prevail. The main categories are pepper and vinegar, mustard-based, tomato-based, and light tomato-based, but many variations have evolved from those four themes.

Early next month all four types of barbeque will be cooked and served, side by side, at the Third Annual Carolina Q Cup at the State Farmers' Market. In the same shed where watermelons are stacked and sold, prize-winning 50 cookers from around the state will strut their stuff, and baste it, and turn it, and serve it.

"You can tell where the cookers are from by their barbeque," said Lake High, who founded the South Carolina Barbeque Association with Walter Rolandi several years ago. Sauce seems to be the main line of demarcation."'Course, the pepper and vinegar basting sauce from Williamsburg County is thin, but I saw a cooker from the Bamberg area last year with a sauce so thick it wouldn't pour out of a jar," said High.

Barbeque is so much a part of the state's history, High said, "People on the street in South Carolina know far more about barbeque than the average person. As a state we may not be smart enough to avoid splitting the ballot in an election, but our palettes are very sophisticated."

Being exposed to so many types of barbeque is what broadens our taste, figures High. Universally, nobody brings a more educated palette to the table, and this event is the perfect place to educate it some more. We all have our preferences, but here's where we can explore other possibilities."

In addition to being a barbeque taster's delight, the event will offer other cultural dimensions as well. "Folk artists will be showing their work, including one artisan at a potter's wheel, and there'll be four different bands playing. The Blackbottom Biscuits and the Plowboys are two that have signed on." High said the family event, all on level ground, is ideal for folks moving around the Farmers' Market in strollers or wheelchairs.

For more information contact Roy Copelon 803-734-2200, www.carolinaqcup.com.