Steven Raichlen, the world’s foremost authority on all things barbecue, has again teamed up with the “Grand Dame of the Rockies,” the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to bring you Barbecue University®, 2009.  This year there will be just two sessions:  June 11 – 14 and June 14 – 17.

Now in its 9th year, Barbecue University® is an extravaganza of smoke, fire, food, and camaraderie that attracts barbecue and grilling enthusiasts from all over the U.S. and as far away as Australia.  For many attendees, once just isn’t enough: The inaugural sessions of Barbecue University® at the Broadmoor, held this past June, were so successful that many alums are happily “repeating” the class in 2009!  

And why not?   They’ll be building on their repertoire of skills and recipes—this year’s menus will feature all-new dishes from Steven’s next book—while enjoying the fabulous amenities provided by the Broadmoor, the longest-running consecutive winner of both the AAA Five-Diamond and the Mobil Travel Guide Five-Star awards.

Please join us in 2009.  You’ll have the time of your life while becoming a Master Griller.  Each three-day session of Barbecue University® begins with a festive welcome reception where you’ll get to meet Steven and your fellow classmates.

The next morning, you’ll be shuttled to our “campus”—the spectacular Cheyenne Lodge, with its jaw-dropping views of the Rockies, for a continental-style breakfast and your first look at the school’s impressive collection of grills and smokers. Our gear ranges from the king of grills, the Weber Ranch and Summit gas grills to Big Green Eggs and pellet grills.  Smokers of all sizes and shapes, from the mammoth Horizon offset barrel smokers to the redesigned Smoky Mountain.   Even a stainless steel Argentinean-style grill with a flywheel-adjusted grate that burns wood and charcoal.

If it’s cool—and it often is on a Colorado morning—you can gather around the firepit or the massive fireplace after breakfast, hot coffee in hand, and await the 9 a.m. (sharp) start of class

As befits Barbecue University®, class begins with a lecture—perhaps on the history of barbecue or anatomy lessons on beef and pork ribs.    Steven introduces the day’s recipes—eight each day—carefully selected to illustrate the five styles of live-fire cooking and all the food groups you can cook on the grill.     Teams of students do the preliminary food preparations under Steven’s supervision.    Then everyone goes out to the spacious “burn” area where the real fun begins.

While steaks sear, chickens roast, ribs smoke, pineapple turns on a spit, and fresh vegetables roast in glowing embers, Steven explains the fine points about the art and science of grilling, barbecuing, and smoking.    Building a fire.   Making rubs and barbecue sauces.   Preparing an entire meal on the grill.  He fields questions from experienced grillers and novices alike.   The three-hour class culminates in a belt-loosening lunch of the morning’s specialties.  

Afternoons and evenings, you’re free to take advantage of the many recreational amenities at the historic Broadmoor: three championship golf courses, top tennis facilities, fly-fishing, rock climbing, horseback riding, art classes, swimming, and a full range of spa services.   As for dining options, the Broadmoor has fifteen restaurants, cafes, and lounges on the property (including the chic, Adam Tihany-designed Summit.)  Add in the many other attractions in the Colorado Springs area—the legendary Garden of the Gods, an acclaimed zoo, and the impressive U.S. Air Force Academy—and you can be guaranteed an unforgettable vacation while you further your barbecue education.

As many people have discovered, Barbecue University® makes a great gift for a holiday, anniversary, or birthday.  This year’s sessions are scheduled near Father’s Day.  Lots of families use it for father-son or mother-daughter bonding. Companies even offer classes at Barbecue University® to promote corporate team-building.

Each session of Barbecue University® is limited to 55 students. Space goes quickly, so sign up today. For more information, please contact the Broadmoor at 800-634-7711, or email Melanie Shanks: mshanks@broadmoor.com. Hope to see you in June!

Steven Raichlen is a writer, television personality and the founder of Barbecue University®. He is the author of 28 books, including the multi-award winning Barbecue Bible which was reissued in May 2008 as a 10th Anniversary Edition by Workman Publishing. He has over 4 million copies of his books in print in 15 languages, including How to Grill, BBQ USA, and Raichlen on Ribs.   His Primal Grill and Barbecue University® TV shows air on PBS.