Melissa Bailey Photo
Tyland Jeffries grills wings with homemade sauce at the Freddie.
Every man “thinks he’s the barbecue king,” Jackie James observes. Soon, New Haven will find out who’s true royalty.
That’s thanks to a new festival that James, New Haven’s small-business development chief, is organizing in the Dixwell neighborhood.
The event, a family-oriented African-American food-truck and entertainment fest, is scheduled to take place Saturday, May 7, on the grounds of Wexler-Grant School.
In addition to African drumming, soul food and other African-American-oriented food trucks, the event will feature a “barbecue pitmaster contest” in a roped-off area.
“We’re looking for 25 teams” of barbecue mavens to sign up, James said during an interview on WNHH radio’s “Dateline New Haven” program. “The entrance fee is $150. The winning team will receive $500.”
Categories will include beef ribs, pork, chicken, fried turkey, beef brisket. Teams and visitors are invited from neighborhoods throughout the city.
Visitors will pay $5 and receive six tickets to sample food in each category. Then they’ll use those tickets as ballots to vote for their favorites. James is encouraging teams to bring their families and friends to participate. Teams that “acquire the proper permits” can also sell their burnt offerings.
The festival will raise money for this year’s Freddy (formerly “Freddie”) Fixer Parade, which takes place the following Saturday.
James said the event has a second goal: to bring together people in Dixwell to start planning the future direction of the neighborhood. Dixwell Plaza across the street is undergoing a planned revival; the Dixwell Community “Q” house is being rebuilt, with a new home for the Stetson branch library included; and James’ city-run small business academy is growing, already having brought 100 aspiring entrepreneurs to the avenue for training and help landing start-up financing.
“As African Americans,” James said, “we believe in families coming together, coming together as a community.”
To sign up for the barbecue pitmaster contest, call (203) 946‑3026.
Click on the above sound file to hear James’ full interview on “Dateline New Haven,” which also touched on the growth of the city’s Small Business Academy,on plans for the upcoming second annual citywide food truck festival on Long Wharf, and her transition from social work to economic development work.