Join Smoke In Da Eye and over 30 other chefs and barbecue teams this Sunday, July 11 on New York's Governor's Island for a celebration of all things meat!  And for those unable to attend, stay tuned for a video recap of the day's festivities.  Here's the 411...

July Good Beer Month and The Good Beer Seal Present MEATOPIA: BBQ NYC

New York, NY – The Good Beer Seal of Approval announced today one of the biggest outdoor food events of the summer: Meatopia: BBQ NYC .  Held annually as the “Woodstock of Edible Animals” by James Beard Award-winning food writer Josh Ozersky, this celebrated barbecue event, which regularly features some of the city’s top chefs, this year will be open to the public for the first time ever.  Meatopia: BBQ NYC is a celebration of traditional cooking techniques and heritage meats taking place on historic Governors Island, in New York Harbor, as its premier summer event on July 11th, 2010.  Ozersky, joined by Taste of Tribeca organizer Jimmy Carbone, of Jimmy’s No 43, alongside Six Point Craft Ales, will host over 30 of the best chefs in the country as they present their takes on barbecue with Bev Eggleston, champion of Eco-Friendly Foods as the event’s acting grand marshal.

Benefiting Slow Food NYC and Just Food NYC, Meatopia: BBQ NYC will feature, among others, 2009 Jack Daniels World Barbecue Champions I Que, as well as chefs such as Seamus Mullen of Boqueria, Michael White of Osteria Morini, Convivio and Marea, and Zak Pelaccio and Robbie Richter of Fatty ‘Cue.  In the true spirit of the slow food community, each of the participating chefs will partner with a local farmer who will provide locally raised, sustainable meat for their featured recipes.   “This is a never before seen confluence of meaty genius, healthy food, craft beer, and the beauty of Governors Island,” Ozersky says. “Every one involved is thrilled about it. The consciences and stomachs of New York’s foodies are aquiver.” Each of the chefs will be assisted by two participants from the Jr./Teen Iron Chef program and will sell servings of their barbecue masterpieces to attending guests.

The signature event in Mayor Bloomberg’s officially proclaimed “Good Beer Month,” Meatopia: BBQ NYC will also support the local craft-beer community with walk-around tastings, a bespoke Meatopia brew created especially for the event by Sixpoint Craft Ales, and other beer-related activities.  “Meatopia is the coming together of so many parts of the food community in New York,” said Jimmy Carbone.  “The hard work and participation of our host committee and community organizations are what make Meatopia such a model for what a community can accomplish when every member does its part.”  Educational panels, cooking demonstrations, a beer garden, a slight-of-hand magician, bluegrass music, ice cream, live entertainment will round out the afternoon and make for a family-friendly atmosphere for New Yorkers and visitors of all ages.

- SmokeInDaEye.com , Home of Bigger, Badder, Bolder Competition BBQ(c)

Ferries will depart for Governors Island from Brooklyn and lower Manhattan every fifteen minutes.  For a full list of participating chefs and to purchase tickets, please visit  www.meatopia.org.

Sponsors for the inaugural Meatopia: BBQ NYC event include Chipotle and High Plains Bison.