Only Ardie A. Davis and Paul Kirk, the go-to sources on barbecue, can earn the trust and the recipes from the nation's barbecue legends, from Texas to Memphis, the Deep South, Kansas City, Oklahoma, and even a few joints outside of the traditional barbecue belt.

Tasty sides include tips, tricks, techniques, fun memorabilia, tons of full-colour photos of the joints and their food, and first-hand recollections of tales from the pits culled from over a century of combined barbecue experience. There is even a section of barbecue basics for those who are just getting started.

With more than 100 recipes for mouth-watering starters (Fried Cheese Stick Grits, BBQ Egg Rolls), moist and flavourful meats, both classic and inventive side dishes (BBQ Cornbread, Grilled Potato Salad), a slew of sauces and rubs, and even some decadent desserts (Fried Pies, Root Beer Cake, Pig Candy), this book should come with its own wet-nap.