For nearly 100 years, traditional, slow-smoked Kansas City barbecue has drawn visitors to the metro area. Today, the savory-sweet, mouthwatering flavor can be enjoyed at dozens of barbecue restaurants, many with their own niche specialties, from ribs to mutton to fish, and most with their own unique sauce. Groups can also experience this finger-licking tradition on barbecue restaurant tours, at private banquets and during cooking classes taught by award-winning chefs.
The Kansas City Barbecue & All That Jazz tour from Share Creative Productions (816.582.3090; www.sharecreativesolutions.com) can provide groups as large as 60 with an evening of entertainment from live, world-class jazz artists and an unforgettable meal of authentic Kansas City barbecue, including transportation and special souvenirs made in K.C. For groups larger than 60, they can centralize the jazz and barbecue event in one location.
Culinary Center of Kansas City (913.341.4455; www.kcculinary.com) in Overland Park, Kan., can accommodate groups of 5 to 150 at its facilities or bring its team-building cooking classes to you. Activities last from two to four hours and can be scheduled for any time of day. Its Midwest Barbecue Institute Program includes classes such as Backyard Entertaining, Smokology, BBQ’in with Booze and, of course, Grilling 101 for beginners, all taught by master barbecue chefs.
Founded in the early 1920s, Arthur Bryant's (816.231.1123; www.arthurbryantsbbq.com), considered by many to have the best ribs in town, has been a destination for three presidents and dozens of Hollywood elite over the decades. Arthur Bryant’s caters to groups with three restaurants in the K.C. metro area, and it also offers pick-up party packs in several sizes.
Fifty-year-old Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue (816.941.4309; www.jackstackbbq.com) also has several locations in the Kansas City metro area and enjoys top national ratings from Zagat. Group menus range from buffets to sit-down service. In addition, the company offers catering for as many as 10,000 guests with its mobile kitchen and hickory pit smoker.
