2 Triangle food festivals show off the finer side of BBQ. Here’s why you should go
When you’re toasting barbecue, you’re usually thinking sweet tea or lowercase beer.
But Triangle food festivals are here to make the case for the bubbles.
In showing off the finer side of barbecue, two upcoming barbecue fests urge diners to try pairing North Carolina’s most treasured tradition with sparkling wine.
First up is BBQ & Bubbly in Cary’s Fenton development on Saturday, May 31. The next week is Bubbles and Brisket in Raleigh’s Smoky Hollow on Saturday, June 7.
The festivals are founded by podcasters Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss, who started the NC F&B Podcast nearly a decade ago. Last year, Weiss left the podcast to start his own show, Wine Centric, which focuses on the wine industry.
BBQ & Bubbly
BBQ & Bubbly was founded by Weiss when he went solo, aiming to create a high profile festival celebrating smoky meats and sparkling wines.
The festival features more than a dozen barbecue spots and North Carolina restaurants, beverage shops and sweets makers.
Here’s the lineup:
- Sam Jones BBQ - Lindsay Bortle
- Longleaf Swine, David Mitchell
- Union Special Bread, Andrew Ullom
- Dampf Good BBQ, Nick Dampf
- Corner Boys BBQ, James Sampson
- Sweet Lew’s BBQ, Lewis Donaldson
- The Butcher’s Market, Joe Lumbrazo
- 8020 Creole BBQ, Nate Figaro
- The Smitty Experience, Rashad Smith
- Cuya Cucina Latina (opening soon), Kevin Ruiz
- Ruckus Scratch Kitchen, Robert Royster
- Naos (VIP only)
- Changing Tide Oyster Co., Mason Allen (VIP only)
- The Raleigh Wine Shop
- LouElla Wine, Beer & Beverage
- Champagne Jeeper (VIP only)
- Bond Brothers Beer Company
- Brewery Bhavana
- Trophy Brewing
- Carrboro Coffee Roasters
- Mama Bird’s Ice Cream
- Pimiento Tea Room
- Jay’s Italian Ice
- Dram & Draught
Weiss said the festival hopes to play on the high and low brow reputations of sparkling wine and barbecue, highlighting that both are better together.
“Champagne is the ultimate pairing wine, it has so much potential,” Weiss said. “What I think makes it special, the wine is a servant of the food, it cleanses the palette and makes you ready and excited for the next bite.”
Setting the tone for its inaugural year, BBQ & Bubby has booked two giants in the barbecue and wine worlds. James Beard-winning writer and barbecue expert Adrian Miller will deliver a talk and sign books. And celebrity sommelier and winemaker André Mack will talk sparkling wine and offer pairing tips.
“I think festivals like this are enormously important in building a food scene,” Weiss said. “It’s not just about the culinary aspect, there’s an educational component. It’s not about over-indulging, it’s about putting a stamp on this place and saying this is what we have in this area.”
BBQ & Bubbly details
May 31, 1 to 4 p.m. at 21 Fenton Main St, Cary
VIP Tickets: $105, include one hour early entry
All-inclusive BBQ and sparkling wine: $65
BBQ-only: $45
For more details and other ticket options, visit instagram.com/bbqandbubbly
Bubbles & Brisket
This year marks the fifth Bubbles & Brisket festival, which was born in 2021 as Texas-style barbecue started becoming popular in North Carolina.
Now organized and operated solely by Trujillo, Bubbles & Brisket keeps the spotlight on smoky beef and sparkling wine, but has expanded its restaurant roster.
On the beverage side, look for sparkling wine styles from around the world, plus beer, non-alcoholic drinks and sodas.
Here is this year’s list.
- Nick Dampf of Dampf Good BBQ, Car
- Matt Barry of Midwood Smokehouse, Raleigh
- David Ellis of Figulina, Raleigh
- Justin Wright of Julep in Greenville
- James Johnson of Fullsteam Brewery
- Anthony Rapillo of Flour & Barrel + V Pizza
- Alejandro Contreras of Tepuy Donuts
- A-Vin-Garde
- Liberty & Plenty Distillery
- Hatchet Brewing
- Raleigh Wine Shop
- The Merchant
Bubbles & Brisket details
Saturday, June 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Smoky Hollow, 421 N Harrington St in Raleigh.
VIP Tickets: $125, include early entry a 1 p.m.
All inclusive tickets: $65
BBQ only (designated driver): $45
For more details and ticket options, visit ncfbpodcast.com/event-details/bubbles-and-brisket-5.
This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "2 Triangle food festivals show off the finer side of BBQ. Here’s why you should go."
