With a little more than one week to go until the highly anticipated draw for the Jack Daniels World BBQ Championship (you can read more about our chances here), we wanted to share with everyone a few fun facts the fine folks at Jack Daniels put together*.

Every president since Thomas Jefferson has hosted a barbecue while in office. That means for 207 years Americans have been “grilling out.”

Jack Fact: This year marks the 21st Annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue. More than seventy-five championship teams from around the world will participate, eager to slow cook their way to flame fame.

The word barbecue is believed to have originated from either the Spanish word “barbacoa” or the French word “de barbe a` queue.” In Asia, they use bamboo, stones and metal to grill meat such as goat, snake and the occasional prairie dog. You won’t find that at your regular family cookout!

Jack Fact:Of the teams participating at least 15 are international, representing countries such as Australia,Jamaica and Croatia. There is even an international category called Home Cookin’ from the Homeland where teams show off their country’s traditional recipes.

Nearly 74 million U.S.households own at least one grill. According to Consumer Reports, the average cost of a grill is $275.

Jack Fact: Our cookers come with rigs costing as much as $15,000 that consist of several custom racks, smokers and rotisseries to ‘cue a hog to perfection.

The most popular food for barbecuing is burgers (82%), followed by steak, chicken and hot dogs.

Jack Fact: In one day, more than 3,900 pounds of pork, beef and chicken will be seared and served to entice our pavilion of Kansas City Barbeque Society and (lucky)celebrity judges.  Winners will take home their share of more than $30,000in cash and prizes

The most popular days in America to grill out are July 4th, Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Jack Fact:  Down in Lynchburg (pop. 361), one day stands above the rest. On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, the world’s best barbecue will be judged to crown the Grand Champion at the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue.

* Barbecue facts courtesy of Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (http://hpba.org/), Consumer Reports (http://www.consumerreports.org) and Wikipedia (http://wikipedia.org)