Yes, this is a shameless plea for free publicity

"Yes, this is a shameless plea for free publicity" that was the subject line of an email I just received. Normally, I would have dismissed this email as spam, but there was something about the brashness, boldness and balls about it that intrigued me. Maybe it's because I've been known to do a few shameless pleas for free publicity myself. Who knows why, but I didn't delete it and I'm glad I didn't.

This shameless plea for free publicity is an invitation to join American Culinary Tables to mark the Year of the Pig a celebration of – and inquiry into – the West Tennessee region’s spectacular take on sauced swine this fall.

"Tour participants will sample the best barbecue in Memphis; learn how to grade a plate of pork from expert judges at the Memphis Barbecue Association and venture deep into rural Tennessee to learn the secrets of whole hog barbecue from the sawmill operators, slaughterhouse managers and dedicated pitmasters who have preserved the craft. Escorts for our ‘cue journey include Times-Picayune columnist Lolis Eric Elie, author of Smokestack Lightning: Adventures in Barbecue Country and Joe York, the first filmmaker to visually document the whole hog tradition."

According to the website, once you complete this tour, you will be a certified Memphis in May BBQ judge. It's got some very interesting food on the itinerary and you will be surrounded by some of Memphis's top BBQ experts.

Sounds very intriguing. But alas, the tour is a bit pricey for us here at WhiteTrash BBQ. To join in the tour, the early bird special price is $475 per person, and it's way out of my reach at $595 per person if you register after May 1st. Prices do not include lodging or transportation to/from Memphis. But if any of my well heeled readers are interested, this sounds like a fabulous time and I'd love to have a review of the tour to post here.