Nation’s Top Pitmasters Head to Queens for a Good Cause

Photos: Pig Beach Queens                                                                           

On Saturday, April 30th (11am-4pm), dozens of nationally-recognized pitmasters from across the country will reunite at Pig Beach BBQ’s new Queens location for the Second Annual Jeff Michner BBQ Benefit presented by Ole Hickory Pits—a full-day meat smokin’ extravaganza organized by Pig Beach partners Matt Abdoo, Shane McBride, and Rob Shawger in honor of their late friend, Pig Beach Executive Chef Jeff Michner, who died suddenly in 2018 at age 36 leaving behind his wife and newborn daughter.

The all-day “swine around” event (returning for the 1st time since the pandemic) will feature more than 25 indoor & outdoor food stations helmed by celebrated chefs and barbecue royalty—Bill Durney (Hometown BBQ, Brooklyn), Bret Lunsford (Bluesmoke, NYC), Amy Mills (17th Street BBQ, Illinois), World Champion pitmaster Chris Lilly (Big Bob Gibson BBQ, Alabama), Mike Puma (Gotham Burger Social Club, NYC), BBQ Hall of Famer Tuffy Stone (Cool Smoke BBQ, Virginia) and more—along with cocktails by NYC’s top mixologists, on-stage musical performances, and a special family-led birthday tribute to Jeff, who would have turned 40 on April 27th.

Jeff Michner

All proceeds from the event, which is expected to draw hundreds, will benefit the Jeff Michner Foundation, an established 501c3 created by the Michner family, which supports families managing loss and grief and provides scholarships to graduating high school students with a love for cooking and golf - two of Jeff’s biggest passions in life. 

Pig Beach held the first Jeff Michner BBQ Benefit on April 13th, 2019. The sold out event was attended by thousands of fans, pitmasters, and chefs, and raised over $50,000. While the pandemic put the event on hold in 2020 and 2021, this year’s Jeff Michner BBQ Benefit marks the return of what aims to be an annual fundraiser.

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