The N.C. Barbecue Society is offering a barbecue boot camp and certified judges class next month near Wilmington.

The two-day event starts at 5 p.m. Sept. 28 with a cookout and mixer with chefs, pit masters and fellow students.

Classes starts at 8 a.m. Sept. 29 with instruction on how to cook whole hogs, pork shoulders, Boston butts, chicken, pork ribs, beef brisket, whole beef tenderloins, beef prime rib and whole wild salmon. Students are also taught how to make eastern North Carolina vinegar-based sauce and Lexington-style barbecue dip and rubs along with side dishes such as collards, baked beans and banana pudding.

Attendees also are taught how to judge North Carolina Barbecue Society events and leave as certified judges.

The two-day camp ends with a party and buffet from 6-10 p.m. Sept. 29.
The event, which is held in Castle Hayne, costs $395 per person. For more information about the event or to register, go to ncbbqsociety.com.

The Pit restaurant in Raleigh will be hosting a series of heritage barbecue dinners starting in July. The idea is to have guest barbecue pit masters come to the Pit for a special dinner.

The first one will feature barbecue historian Bob Garner and the Pit's chef, Darrell Brown, on July 12.

The next two dinners will be the second Tuesdays in July and August. They will feature Wayne Monk of Lexington Barbecue and Bum Dennis of Bum's Restaurant in Ayden, N.C.

The cost has yet to be determined. Reservations will be available starting June 1. Call 890-4500.