Begun in 1997, the Denver Blues Festival was an immediate hit as people rushed to Denver's Golden Triangle Neighborhood to hear blues greats perform their musical magic. After two successful years, the search was on for a companion to this smokin' event ... and what could be tastier than a first class, rib lickin', tastebud ticklin' barbecue competition? Hence, the Official Denver Barbecue Championship was born. Since 1999, restaurants, caterers, grill professionals, and avid backyard enthusiasts have vied for cash prizes and esteem as Denver's Best Barbecue. With the release of this exciting new cookbook, 'que aficionados can now bring some of the festival's unique cooking back to own kitchens. This red hot way cool celebration of the blues for people with a taste for barbecue is beautifully commemorated by this lighthearted cookbook. Deliciously representing the unique identity of this zesty urban tradition, barbecue lovers will delight in the spicy recipes for main dishes, side dishes, slaw, desserts and more. In addition, there are anecdotes and folk tales from the festival archives, plenty of photographs and lots of fun filled facts.